Brigadier (Retired) Don Roach, AM
Chief Operating Officer
EPE Trusted to Protect
Don Roach has recently been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of EPE Group, a specialist Australian business in the Defence Industry sector. Prior to that he was the Executive for Defence and Industry Engagement in the Department of State Development of the Queensland Government. In that role he identified and pursued strategic opportunities for the state’s defence industries.
With over 30 years of service in the Australian Army he has extensive experience and strong networks in the Australian Defence Force and Defence industry. He is well versed in state and federal government industry programs and has been actively involved in initiatives supporting small business, supply chain integration and export opportunities.
He retired from full-time service with 31 years of experience from operations in Afghanistan, East Timor and as a United Nations peacekeeper in Syria and Lebanon. Now serving in a part-time capacity he has led the development of the multi-faceted, interactive website project, The Longest War: The Australian Army in Afghanistan, documenting the contemporary history of Army’s service in Afghanistan.
He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, and the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks. He has a Masters of Defence Studies from the University of New South Wales and a Masters of Strategic Studies from Carlisle.
Don serves in honorary and leadership roles including as a Colonel Commandant for the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He has previously served as both a Director and Chair of the veteran’s charity Mates4Mates and is currently the Vice President and a Director of Brisbane Legacy.
He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for service as Commanding Officer 1st Field Regiment and has received a Commendation for Distinguished Service in Afghanistan.
