Pilbara Ports operations are managed by our Chief Executive Officer and executive management team.
Samuel McSkimming BA LLB (Hons), MAICD
Samuel McSkimming was appointed CEO of Pilbara Ports in May 2023. Mr McSkimming has extensive experience in multi-user bulk infrastructure, including in operations, marketing, commercial negotiation, and corporate affairs. Prior to joining Pilbara Ports, Mr McSkimming was in an executive general management role in bulk export railroads and has a background in competition law and regulatory economics.
Nick Sarandopoulos B.Com, CA, Grad Dip App Fin, MBA, GAICD
Nick Sarandopoulos joined Pilbara Ports in August 2014. Mr Sarandopoulos is an experienced financial professional with extensive financial, treasury and commercial management expertise.
Clare Lugar MCommM, GradCertBus
Clare Lugar joined Pilbara Ports in November 2022 as Director Corporate and Government Affairs and was appointed Head of Corporate Affairs in May 2024. Ms Lugar has over 30 years’ international work experience in a broad range of corporate affairs roles.
Karlene Bylund B.Comm, AssocDipAccounting, DipProjectManagement, GAICD
Karlene Bylund joined Pilbara Ports in March 2010 and took on the role of Executive General Manager Customer and Strategy in July 2023. Ms Bylund has extensive experience in commercial management and corporate governance.
Nick Dawe BSc (Hons), DipProjectManagement
Mr Dawe joined Pilbara Ports as Principal Engineer in November 2013 and has held a range of engineering and project management roles throughout this time including the Spoilbank Marina and Lumsden Projects. He has over 20 years of experience in engineering and project delivery.
Philip Christy Master Mariner
Philip Christy joined Pilbara Ports as General Manager Marine in December 2020. Mr Christy’s marine career spans more than 30 years. Mr Christy served in the British Merchant Navy for a decade before moving to Associated British Ports where he held several senior roles before relocating to Australia to take up his role with Pilbara Ports.
Nerida Peever
Nerida joined Pilbara Ports as Executive General Manager Planning and Property in August 2024.
Heidi U. Wallon Pizarro MSc (Geophysics), BSc (Mathematics), Grad Dip Science (Geophysics)
Heidi U. Wallon Pizarro joined Pilbara Ports as Executive General Manager Technology in July 2024. Ms Wallon Pizarro has extensive experience in IT strategy, innovation, and architecture, with an ability to drive digital change within organisations.
Nick Perceval DipProjectManagement
Nick Perceval joined Pilbara Ports in August 2019 as a Mechanical Supervisor and is currently acting in the General Manager Terminal Operations role. Mr Perceval is a qualified mechanical tradesperson with over 18 years’ experience in safe and efficient execution of mechanical maintenance, fixed plant shutdowns, terminal operations and project management with a focus on customer service and productivity improvements. Mr Perceval has lived in Port Hedland for the last 14 years and is active in the local community.
Sue Moore LLB
Sue Moore joined Pilbara Ports as Coporate Secretary in 2025.
Richard Donaldson LLB, Grad Dip Leg Prac, Grad Dip IP Law, Wharton EDP, Wharton AMP
Richard Donaldson joined Pilbara Ports in December 2012 as General Counsel. Mr Donaldson has more than 20 years’ experience in legal practice, including corporate and commercial law, information technology and outsourcing, intellectual property, and privacy and data security.