Leadership
Renewable energy industry specialists
Ark Energy's highly skilled team is made up of individuals with commercial and technical expertise in the unique development requirements and management of renewable energy assets.

YUN CHOI, Chairman
Yun is Chief Executive Officer of Ark Energy's parent company, Korea Zinc Co. Ltd, and Chairman of Ark Energy Corporation Pty Ltd. Previously, Yun was Chief Executive Officer of Sun Metals Corporation Pty Ltd. Yun has deep commercial knowledge of metals refining and mining, extensive experience in running and developing overseas resource projects in multiple countries and forming strategic partnerships in international commodity markets. Prior to joining Korea Zinc, Yun practiced as an attorney at law at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York. Yun has a Juris Doctorate Degree in Law from Columbia University and is a Licensed Attorney and Counsellor at Law in the State of New York. He was a Judicial Affairs Officer, Rank of Captain, in the Department of Defence Republic of Korea. Yun also holds a Bachelor Degree in English and Mathematics from Amherst College, Massachusetts.

MICHAEL CHOI, Chief Executive Officer
Michael has served as a director of Ark Energy since it was founded in 2021. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in December 2023 following a longstanding relationship with Ark Energy's parent company Korea Zinc and Korea Zinc Australia’s companies. Michael joined the Korea Zinc Group in 2017 as Director of Strategies and Planning, responsible for business plans, business operations and foreign subsidiaries. In 2020 he was appointed Chief Financial Officer and board member for the group's Sun Metals Corporation in Townsville. He is also a director for Sun Metals, and Korea Zinc Australia's Townsville Logistics and Townsville Marine Logistics. Michael began his career as a Financial Auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP in New York, followed by a financial audit and advisory role at PwC in Korea.
Bachelor of Science, Business and Economics.

VIJAY PRADHAN, Chief Operating Officer
Vijay has over 30 years of experience across greenfield and brownfield engineering, construction and operations in the energy, mining and mineral processing sectors, spanning 17 countries. His expertise covers the full value chain from resource to recovery, and includes energy transition, engineering and technology management, operations management, project execution, safety and risk management, continuous improvement (Lean) and strategic planning. Prior to joining Ark Energy, Vijay served as Head of Technology, Assurance & Value Optimisation for Origin Energy.
PhD (Multiphase Fluid Dynamics/Chemical Process Engineering), MBA (Petroleum Technology), MBA (Executive stream in Deep Sea mining/Subsea Technology), Bachelor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering (BSc Hons), Institution of Chemical Engineers.

TONY THOMAS, Chief Financial Officer
Tony has more than 17 years experience in the accounting and finance profession, working across a range of public and private companies including oil and gas, aviation, funds management, real estate and technology industries. Prior to joining Ark Energy, Tony was an Audit and Assurance Director at KPMG for 17 years and spent 9 months as the Acting CFO at an Australian energy storage company. He also worked for 10 years as a Physiotherapist during which time he led the Rehabilitation Services at the Australian Army’s 2nd Health Support Battalion.
Master of Business (Professional accounting), Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons), Member, Chartered Accountants in Australia & New Zealand, GAICD Australian Institute of Company Directors.

DAMIAN VERMEY, Head of Development
Damian has more than 25 years experience in the Australian and Asian energy sectors. Prior to joining Ark Energy, Damian held senior management roles at TasNetworks, Powerlink, Entura and Hydro Tasmania. Damian's extensive engineering and project management experience has included delivery of high quality power and water facilities, ranging from hydro power plants to wind farms and power system design solutions.
MBA (Technology Management); BA Eng (Electrical); GAICD Australian Institute of Company Directors.

JONATHAN CORNISH, Head of Project Delivery
Jonathan has over 25 years of experience across the renewables, gas, and mining sectors, with a focus on major project development and management. Prior to joining Ark Energy he held senior roles at Glencore Global Projects, Sterling & Wilson (serving client Neoen), Shell, QGC Australia, BHP, Worley and Air Products & Chemicals Inc. He has worked across a range of industries and geographies, and led large-scale projects from initial concept through to full execution, while navigating operational, technical, and commercial challenges within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
PM Professional (Certified), CIP1 – CI Professional, MBA (Leadership), B.Eng. Ind. & Mech.

MELISSA PISANI, Head of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
Melissa has 25 years experience in organisational communications for large and multinational organisations, including ten years with global consultancy Edelman, senior in-house roles in the private and government sectors, and independent consulting. Melissa leads Ark Energy's external affairs including stakeholder relations and community engagement for the company's portfolio of projects.
BA Comms, CSU; Grad Cert Environmental Management, UNSW; IAP2.

NANCY NORTON, Head of Risk & Safety
Nancy has 20 years experience in operations management, safety regulation, quality and change management. Prior to joining Ark Energy, Nancy was Operations Manager at the BOC Townsville site and later served as the lead for hydrogen safety at the Queensland Government‘s gas safety regulator, Resources Safety and Health Queensland, where she spearheaded the development of Queensland’s Hydrogen Safety Code of Practice. Nancy is a member of Standards Australia’s Hydrogen Technologies Committee and represents Australia on the international hydrogen standards committee.

TERRI O'DELL, Head of People, Performance & Culture
Terri has more than 20 years experience in human resources for large and multinational companies, mostly within the mining, construction, building and energy sectors. Prior to joining Ark Energy, Terri held leadership roles at Energy Developments, Theiss, BHP, Ausco Modular and Multicap. Terri is focused on a strategic approach that connects people and culture to deliver great business outcomes.
B.Bus (Human Resources); Grad Dip (HRM); Grad Dip Psychology, B.Sc (Honours) Psychology; National Coaching Institute, Prosci Change Management, HBMI Accredited Facilitator.

MARTIN POOLE, Advisor
Martin co-founded and served as Executive Director for leading renewable energy developer Epuron from 2003 until its acquisition by Ark Energy in 2022. He has more than 25 years experience in the energy industry in Australia and the UK. He has been a director of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering at the University of Sydney since 2006; served as Vice President of Market Development for Powerline GES Pty Ltd and consulted to companies in Australia and the UK including Energy Australia, IPART, NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority and Combined Heat and Power Association in London.
BA, M.Eng (Chem). PhD, U. Syd.