Meet the Matrix Leadership Team

Jim is the Managing Director and owner of Matrix for over 40 years. Born and educated USA - Geological Engineering Colorado School of Mines, Professional Engineer registration Colorado, and later MBA from Henley College UK. His initial professional life pioneered early 3D modelling of geology and mine planning.

He has travelled extensively and worked over the globe on multiple engineering projects - eventually settling in New Zealand. Joined Matrix as their first employee, built their mining consulting business, then moved into overall Matrix leadership, buying into then acquiring 100% of Matrix. A serial entrepreneur, Jim is energised by creating a motivated team of top people, applying innovative technology to provide outstanding results for Customers.

Outside of his Matrix life Jim is a keen outdoorsman, drawn to New Zealand as nature’s ultimate playground. He is also a keen rock and mineral collector; and loves the challenge of fly fishing.

Alana's previous life was academically charged with lecturing and fellowships in varied scientific disciplines. A personal life change brought the move to business. Now she relishes bringing scientific discipline to business solutions for Matrix customers.

Focusing on Customer Relationship Management, Alana ensures succesful delivery of work and account management. She manages multiple technical teams at Matrix and their associated projects/services. She also does Business Development for the Engineering Data Management and Product Lifecycle Management teams.

When not tied to her computer screen, you'll find Alana out and about on NZ's mainland, enjoying kayaking, sailing or hiking with her family.

Stuart completed his doctoral studies in Earthquake Engineering, which took him to Berkleley (UoC) to focus research on seismic base isolation. He returned to New Zealand and joined Matrix.

Over the decades of service, he has been involved with numerous computer software projects including: construction contract management, 3-D CAD/CAM and solids modelling, Engineering Data Management (EDM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). He is currently the Technical Lead for the EDM and PLM teams. Having recently become a grandfather he enjoys helping out with babysitting/grandparenting his toddler grand daughter, going on bush walks and occasional fishing. Wanting to get involved with conservation projects.

Malcolm brings broad business experience from the engineering and construction industries. He has decades of experience in managing building materials businesses, including component manufacturing, factory development and sales and marketing roles for decorative products for commercial and domestic markets.

He now uses his previous knowledge to provide account management and business development as the team Lead for the Product Lifecycle Management team at Matrix.

Devendra brings a wealth of diverse experience to Matrix. He transformed local processes and applications to global, driving efficiency, enhancing collaboration and streamlining product development in medical industry. He led software change projects in the financial sector.

Now, he has returned to his roots, focusing on delivering customer success through Product Lifecycle Management and related applications.

Devendra holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Delhi and a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from AIT Bangkok. His primary goal is to equip organizations and teams with the tools and services they need to meet their objectives.

Outside of work, Devendra enjoys tending to his kitchen garden and spending time in nature.

Ana earned her Master's in Food Engineering in Croatia before coming to New Zealand to broaden her global experience. Her path to supporting Bentley customers for Matrix, came through an unusual route first managing business and account management for a co-owned company, Zubi.

Prior to working with Matrix she has a diverse professional background working within Chemistry, Food Technology and Business roles both in New Zealand and Croatia. In her free time Ana enjoys travelling, being outdoors, exploring nature, hiking and spending time with animals.

Don has been with Matrix since its inception. He initially started his career working at DSIR, he then moved abroad to work for a firm developing FEA software - which he then brought back to New Zealand and established.

He has a wealth of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience over many decades, offering FEA services to a host of firms in NZ and globally. He now focuses his efforts on advising and working with the CAE team at Matrix to provide the optimal solution for customer analysis, presales, contractual aspects and reporting.

Kava's background is international. Starting his career in his home country of the United States, he immigrated to Australia and then Germany before settling in New Zealand in 2020.

His experience includes big companies such as Boeing, Honda and ThyssenKrupp, as well as those more on the wee side like Strand7, EVs Enhanced and Vossloh Locomotives. He's worked on airliners, submarines, locomotives, EVs, motorcycles, FEA software and even the International Space Station. His specialty is engineering simulation, with a focus on advanced CFD and FEA.

James specialised in Computational Acoustics completing his doctorate on the subject, before working on further research in this field for Rolls-Royce UTC (in the UK) on gas turbine noise, to find novel ways to reduce noise from aircraft inlets.

Upon returning to New Zealand he worked on a variety of projects for Callaghan Innovation. Since coming to Matrix he has moved up to become a Senior CAE Analyst, specializing in advanced Finite Element Analysis over a wide range of application areas; ranging from pressure vessels and piping, to high performance composite yachts such as Gitana17. In his spare time he enjoys hanging out with his family and is a keen golfer.