QLD Industry Breakfast 2025

Jon Davies, Australian Constructors Association (ACA)
Jon Davies is the CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), where he is leading a transformation of Australia’s construction industry.  With over 30 years of experience, Jon started his career as a quantity surveyor before building a reputation for his commercial and contract expertise across the construction, engineering and resources sectors. As someone who has grown within the industry, he is committed to rethinking how projects are delivered and improving culture across the sector.
 
Jon is known for his straightforward approach and practical insights. Since joining the ACA, he has focused on building trust between government, unions and the industry to create a movement towards a more efficient, profitable and inclusive construction sector.

Melissa Mellado Ruiz, John Holland
Melissa is John Holland’s National Strategy, Customer & Markets Manager for the Water division where she is developing the 3-5 years strategy and pursuits and cultivating relationships with clients and partners, and consultants.  

With over a decade of experience driving transformative projects within the water-waste-energy sector in Australia and overseas, Melissa holds a Master of Sciences in International Management & Sustainability, and a Master of Engineering and Environmental Services. 

Prior to joining John Holland, Melissa led a growing team in a carbon consultancy, where she developed emission reduction projects and indigenous partnership drive decarbonisation efforts across Australia. Prior to that, working with Veolia in different roles across Europe and overseas, she developed complex public-private partnerships and strategies to promote resilience and digital transformation. 

Gerard Coggan, Department of State Development and Infrastructure
Gerard Coggan commenced as Queensland Coordinator-General in January 2024, and has the responsibility to lead the coordination and facilitation of Queensland's major infrastructure projects and drive sustainable development and economic growth across the state.

Mr Coggan has more than 25 years’ experience in infrastructure project management and consulting and has a demonstrated history of steering work through complex environmental sustainability and community engagement processes. 
Prior to this role, he has worked in both the private and public sectors, most recently engaged as a General Manager at APA Group.
As an independent officer of the state reporting directly to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, the Coordinator-General is relied upon to drive and deliver economic opportunities for Queensland. 

As the Coordinator-General, Mr Coggan plays a critical role in leveraging significant, wide-ranging regulatory powers to plan, deliver and coordinate large-scale projects, while ensuring their environmental and social impacts are properly managed.