About
Universal Communications Group (UCG) is one of Australia’s and New Zealand’s leading suppliers of a range of broadband design, cabling and construction services, particularly for next generation cable networks.
For 20 years, we have provided innovative fulfilment solutions to the telecommunications sector, connecting premises to our clients’ networks. Over this time we have counted among our clients some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s largest and most respected blue chip telecommunications operators.
More recently we have been heavily involved in the deployment of the National Broadband Network in Australia and the Ultra-Fast Broadband Network in New Zealand. UCG operates on both sides of the Tasman Sea, now boasting a team of designers, project managers, field supervisors and customer liaison personnel in all key regional locations. We are highly regarded, often being the “go-to” organisation to test or trial new concepts on behalf of our clients.
With its experienced, focused and innovative team of people, along with industry-leading systems, UCG is at the forefront of where the telecommunications broadband industry is heading today.
Universal Communications Group’s Management System is independently certified by SAI Global to the following standards:
• AS/NZS 4801 Health & Safety Management Systems
• AS/NZS ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• AS/NZS ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
Directors
Professor Iain Morrison
Chairman
Professor Morrison was appointed Chairman of UCG in 2012.
Professor Morrison’s other Directorship experience includes; Director of Melbourne-IT, where he was foundation director of the University of Melbourne-established company from 1996 through to his retirement as a Director in 2012, Director of Tele-IP, a telecommunications company, Director of AuDA, the Australian Domain Name Regulator, Director and subsequently Chair of the Victorian Multimedia Centre Pty Ltd.
His previous appointment was as a Professor of Information Systems at Bond University, Professor of Information Systems at the University of Melbourne where he was also Assistant Vice-Chancellor (IT) and Registrar (IT) for 10 years.
Rafael Luna
Managing Director and CEO
Mr Luna is the original founder of UCG and has been in the telecommunications industry for over 20 years.
He has extensive experience in all areas of the telecommunications and media services industry, with a successful track record of delivering complex, high volume fulfillment projects.
Mr Luna has hands-on experience building the management team and operating systems of UCG to successfully roll out installation and maintenance services nationally for blue-chip companies such as Austar, Foxtel, Optus and Telstra – managing over 500 technicians and 160 staff.
Mr Luna has a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration from the University of Queensland and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
MARK FOLEY
Non-Executive Director
Mark has over 20 years’ experience in senior management including as CEO/Managing Director of ASX publicly listed Broadcast Services Australia Ltd (BSA), Director of Brumby’s Bakeries Holdings Ltd., non-executive Chairman of Utility Services Group Limited and non-executive Director and CEO for charity organisation Youngcare.
Mark is also currently Chief Operations Manager for the FKG Group.
Graham Twartz
Non-Executive Director
Graham was appointed to the Board in October 2017.
Graham has over 30 years of experience in finance and executive positions mainly in publicly listed companies. Graham provides independent business advice to a number of businesses, generally covering the development of strategy or assistance in the execution of transactions.
Graham chairs the Advisory Boards of technology companies, Comunet and Avinet.
Previously Graham was CEO of Hills Industries after being Finance Director of that Company for over 15 years.
Dante Miranda
Executive Director and CFO
Mr Miranda joined UCG in 2001 and is an accountant by profession with over 15 years’ experience in accounting, finance and management.
He has experience and knowledge in corporate governance, finance and administration. As Chief Financial Officer, he is focused on ensuring finances are properly managed, and also shaping the direction of future growth plans.
Previous experience includes: audit within a chartered accounting firm, audit and advisory with the Australian Taxation Office, administration and support for the British Transport Police, several senior finance and management roles within the telecommunications, tourism and the airline industry (including Head of Finance for Airlines of Papua New Guinea – a publicly listed company trading in the Port Moresby Stock Exchange – where he was instrumental in the company’s IPO and the establishment of policies, procedures and reporting to satisfy the board and public listing requirements).
Mr Miranda has a Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University and is a member of CPA Australia.
Clint Luna
Executive Director and General Manager Operations Australia
Clint joined UCG in 2009 and has held both operational and commercial roles within the business leading to his current role as General Manager Operations Australia.
Clint’s previous roles were Group Commercial Manager where he had overall commercial responsibility for the Australian and New Zealand operations, as well as General Manager – Bespoke, FTTB, HFC and Greenfields. With involvement in the setup and operation of every department, Clint has a comprehensive end-to-end understanding of the business.
An experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working across multiple industries, he has a history of process reengineering and the setup of offshore teams done the right way.
Clint draws on his prior experience in commercial development in the pharmaceutical industry as well as management and analyst roles in the automotive sector in order to ensure UCG’s success.
Mr Luna has a Bachelor of Business focused in Business Administration and Management from The University of Queensland.
Executives
Rafael Luna
Chief Executive Officer
Rafael Luna is the original founder and currently a Director and CEO of Universal Communications Group Ltd (UCG). He has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 20 years.
Chris Roberts
General Manager Operations New Zealand
Dante Miranda
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Dante is focused on ensuring finances are properly managed across the Group, and also shaping the direction of future growth plans.
Roger McArthur
Chief Technology Officer
Roger engages with all levels of UCG’s business to drive technology and process innovation, to the benefit of both UCG and its clients. He has been responsible for innovation and delivery on a number of firsts for UCG’s clients such as pioneering materials specification and design standards for MDUs with nbn. Roger gets involved in the planning stages of projects including installation and maintenance activities, through to planning, and commercial assessment of technology based projects.
Dillip Kanji
Business Performance Manager
Dillip has over 25 years’ global experience with large infrastructure projects across NZ, Australia, USA, Mexico and India at both strategic and operational levels and has a proven ability to create high performing teams, programme recovery and driving performance. He is responsible for defining and implementing business improvement initiatives that improve current operational performance as well as providing a solid base for scaling the business.
Dillip has an honours degree in Engineering from the University of Auckland.
Samantha Cox
Group & Australia Commercial Manager
Samantha started with UCG in November of 2014 and has played a key role with the improvement of procedures and processes within the Commercial department. Samantha has over 7 years’ experience working in finance & commercial departments, with a strong background in project controls, contract negotiations and risk management.
Corey McCarthy
Group Human Resources Manager
Corey provides comprehensive human resources management services to support the acquisition, development, productivity and satisfaction of the Company’s employees and subcontractors (which number around 400 and 1200 respectively) across Australia and New Zealand. The services include recruitment, training and development, remuneration and benefits, coaching, employee and industrial relations.
Don Zakroczymski
Group Health Safety Environment and Quality Manager
Don has over 25 years’ experience in the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) management field with over 10 years’ experience in senior management of diverse and multidisciplinary HSEQ teams, contractor engagement and leading HSEQ on high risk construction projects in Australia and overseas.
Peter Zeegers
Business Development Manager
Peter is responsible for leading all business development, sales and marketing activities across the Group. Peter is responsible for new client engagement as well as managing opportunities emerging with existing clients. He is responsible for bid and proposal activities along with the production of supporting materials and client-engagement.
Ben Stewart
Group & Australia Commercial Manager
Ben has over 18 years’ of Commercial & Financial experience within large, complex operational environments and a track record of driving commercial performance. Ben has joined UCG as maternity cover for Samantha Cox.
Juan Chavarria
Software Development Manager
Juan has lengthy experience in software development management with a particular focus in optimizing the development process and enhancing critical mission systems. He has extensive experience building and managing highly distributed and multicultural teams, as well as engaging with stakeholders. Juan can communicate in half a dozen languages and has a Master of Business Administration from Universidad de las Americas, a B.S. Computer Systems Engineering from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration.
Steve Alani
Chief Information Officer
Steve started with UCG in June 2018 as an IT Management Consultant leading our digital transformation strategies and systems to support the growth of UCG. Steve has over 12 years’ experience working in the IT industry in complex, enterprise environments with a focus on electronic and cyber security. Steve has a Bachelor and Post Graduate degree in Business Information Systems from Massey University in New Zealand and is pursuing an Executive Master of Business Administration.
