National Board

Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1985 and retired in September 2022 after almost 38 years of continuous service. During his career, Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi, served as a fighter pilot both in Australia and on exchange with the Royal Air Force in the mid-90s. He completed numerous staff and command appointments including Commanding Officer No 3 Squadron, Officer Commanding No 81 Wing, Director General Air Operations, and his final post as Air Commander Australia.

Air Vice-Marshal accumulated over 3,000 hours operating fast jet aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet and Tornado F-3. For his service he has been awarded the Medal in the Order of Australia (2009), Australian Active Service Medal (Balkans and ICAT Clasps), Afghanistan Medal, Defence Long Service Medal with Fourth Clasp, and the Australian Defence Medal. He was appointed a Member in the Order of Australia in 2016 and in June 2020 was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achieving as the Commander of Joint Task Force 633.

Since leaving the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi has undertaken consultancy work with Government Departments, is a member of several advisory and charitable boards, and continues to provide service through the Royal Australian Air Force Reserves.

Wing Commander Deanna Nott is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in public relations and strategic communication. Her expertise spans the Defence industry, technology and medical research sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bond University and a Master of Defence Studies from the University of New South Wales. Deanna is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Her career highlights include significant roles in both private and public sectors, with key positions in the Department of Defence and local government. Deanna founded Wings Public Relations in 2016, focused on driving substantial education and awareness campaigns.

An active Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander Reservist since 1994, Deanna has received several commendations for her service, including a Chief of the Defence Force Commendation in 2020. Her contributions to the field have been recognised with numerous accolades, such as the National Women in Defence Award in 2023 and the Defence Industry Marketing Communications Professional of the Year in 2022.

Deanna is a passionate mentor and influencer in the communication field, Vice President of the Air Force Association and actively participates in the Australian Industry and Defence Network. Her husband Patric served as an Air Force Pilot for 13 years. They have two children, a daughter, who is studying Medicine and joined the RAAF in 2023, and a son who will soon attend university.

An accountant, tax agent and SMSF auditor, Peter is a principal in a Melbourne suburban accounting practice, and has been National Secretary of the Air Force Association, since 2014.

Peter joined the Air Force Association, in 1968, and has served as Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Victorian Division. He was National Vice President between 2006 and 201, and was honoured with Life Membership in 2018.

Peter had a 26-year association with the Air Training Corps (now Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)), and the RAAF Reserve. He commanded the Victorian Squadron, Air Training Corps 1988-1993. He has been a member of the Board of the AAFC Foundation, since 2016.

Peter was a member of the Victorian Veterans’ Council, 2007 – 2013, and of the RAAF Heritage Advisory Council 2015 – 2019. He was awarded the Medal in the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours.

Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO DSC is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force and an exceptional addition to our board. With a long-standing family interest in flying, Mel's passion for aviation has propelled him to arguably the most important aviation job in Australia – Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force. During his tenure as Chief, he implemented numerous initiatives to enhance the operational capability and readiness of the Air Force, including the acquisition of new aircraft and the development of advanced training programs. Mel's strategic vision and leadership qualities have earned him widespread recognition within the aviation community.

In addition to his impressive career, Mel has actively engaged in various international forums, contributing to the advancement of global air power capabilities. He has represented Australia in key defence conferences and forums, fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships with international allies. Mel's extensive experience in aviation and his deep understanding of national defence strategies will be invaluable in guiding the Air Force Association towards achieving its objectives.

Greg Hood AO, an accomplished aviation professional, rounds out our exceptional board of directors. Greg's career began in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1980, where he served as an Air Traffic Controller for almost a decade, including a deployment to the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Desert.

Greg later transitioned to Airservices Australia, where he held various roles, including Manager of the Melbourne Air Traffic Services Centre and Executive General Manager – Air Traffic Control. He also held leadership roles at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ultimately becoming the Executive Manager of Operations. In 2016, Greg was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), where he led numerous transport safety investigations. During his tenure at the ATSB, he also chaired the International Transportation Safety Association (ITSA).

Currently, Greg serves as Deputy Chair of Airservices Australia, a Board Member of the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, and a member of the steering committee for the CSIRO's Marine National Facility (MNF).

Alongside his professional commitments, Greg is an active general aviation pilot and credits his passion for aviation to having received a gliding scholarship with the Air Training Corps in the 1970s. Greg also dedicates his time as a crisis supporter at Lifeline and is an accredited voluntary guide at the Australian War Memorial.

Dave joined Griffith University in late 2023 as the Veterans Program Lead having just completed 37 years within Air Force. He subsequently was appointed as the Director of the Griffith Defence Network in 2025 before the launch of the Griffith Veterans College in May 2026. He has a wide range of experience from teaching survival to interdepartmental responsibilities within the COVID Task Force. He has three operational deployments including to East Timor as a military observer and the Middle East region.

Prior to joining Griffith, he was the Commander of Combat Support Group, responsible for approximately 3500 full time personnel and 2500 reservists operating Air Force’s 16 air bases in Australia whilst supporting aviation operations globally from locations as diverse as Antarctica to the tropical islands of the Pacific.

He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2021 for leading the modernisation of Special Operations Command whilst the Director of Special Operations Development. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his leadership of Australian Forces in the Middle East. This included the Afghanistan Evacuation in August 2021 where more than 4000 people were evacuated without loss of life or injury following the fall of the Afghan Government. Dave subsequently oversaw the drawdown of Australian forces from the Middle East whilst reassuring regional countries of Australia’s ongoing commitment to the region.

He is passionate about harnessing the potential in the Defence and Veteran Community through education, hence a move to Griffith University.

Dave keeps himself busy trying to play golf whilst also coaching within the Australian and Queensland Women’s Baseball Programs. He is married to Jo, a Navy Veteran of 10 years. They have two wonderful children, Molly (18) and Will (21) who has recently joined the Army.

Professor Caitlin Byrne AM is Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) at Griffith University and a member of the University's executive leadership team, with responsibility for the strategic leadership of Griffith Business School.

Commencing her career with the Australian Government, Professor Byrne has held senior leadership roles across the public, private and university sectors. She previously served as Director of the Griffith Asia Institute, leading the University's engagement with governments, industry and partners across Asia and the Pacific.

A recognised authority in international relations and diplomacy, Professor Byrne holds a PhD and Bachelor of Laws from Bond University. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (FAIIA). She also serves as an Independent Member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Development Program Committee and as an Advisory Board Member of Women in International Security Australia (WIISA).

Professor Byrne was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to international relations and business education and has been recognised for her contribution to Australia-Japan relations.

BRIG Jim Campbell served in the Australian Regular Army (ARA) for 30 years.

Jim’s command and senior staff appointments include Commanding Officer & Chief Instructor, Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) Centre; Commander, Bandiana Logistic Group; Director General Material Management, Logistic Command (Army); Chief of Staff, Logistic Command (Army); Director General Logistics, HQ ADF and Acting Head, Strategic Logistics, HQ ADF. Jim’s ARA service was followed by volunteer military service (2008 -2014), culminating as Colonel Commandant RAAOC.

Jim’s core skill is as a change agent. Since leaving the ARA in 1998, Jim has held senior business appointments or acted as a sole contractor for information technology, logistics, postal, scientific research, health and water industry businesses. He has also successfully managed the completion of numerous mergers and back office integrations for charities and other not for profit organisations.

Jim has worked as a volunteer consultant for AFA since 2018.

Jim is humbled to have been accorded Life Membership of the Air Force Association and is passionate about making a difference for veterans or their family members who seek AFA’s support.