We’re thrilled to welcome Andrea Baldin to the Quasar team, as our Industrial Programmer. Andrea is responsible for supporting and enhancing our existing range of software solutions including our dedicated load control application, Quasar Control, and our suite of add-on modules for PME. He will also be responsible for continuing to develop new complementary solutions for our customers and market, as well as overseeing the development of our project engineers to expand their database and programming skills.
 
Andrea gained his Industrial IT Diploma in Italy in 1986 and started working in the industrial automation industry as a software developer. After gaining further IT qualifications, he became a IT consultant for city councils and then moved to design and develop IT solutions as well as teaching IT at the Technical Institute. Andrea relocated to Hamilton in 2013 and held various positions before his most recent role at ASB Bank. He has recently moved to Christchurch to join our team as well as follow his dream to ski in winter and ride a motor bike to the beaches in summer.
 
On weekends, Andrea can be found tramping, skiing, riding, fishing or any other outdoor activities.

We’re excited to have welcomed another face to the Quasar team – Olivier Casalta. Olivier is our new project engineer and will be responsible for developing, designing and commissioning energy and power management systems using a range of Schneider Electric products.
 
After graduating with an Engineering Degree, specialising in mechatronics, Olivier worked for Alstom (and later GE Power & Water) in Estonia, France and Algeria, where he was responsible for power plant electrical works.  After moving to Christchurch three years ago, Olivier has gained further experience with commissioning and testing building management systems for a variety of large construction projects.

In his spare time, Olivier can be found at the top of mountains, admiring the great views or at the bottom of the ocean catching ika and koura.
 
Welcome Olivier!

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the Quasar team, Leanne Chapman, who joins us as our Finance and Operations Manager. Leanne has a wealth of experience in accounting and operations and is responsible for overseeing Quasar’s day-to-day finance and operations activities and performing financial analysis, reporting and management activities. Leanne says, "I am thrilled have joined the Quasar team and to work alongside such committed and collaborative people!"
 
Leanne graduated with a Diploma in Accountancy & Management in Ireland before starting as an Assistant Accountant with In1 Solutions, a software development company. After working up to CFO, Leanne relocated to New Zealand in 2004 where she set up a New Zealand branch for In1 and become General Manager. Along with her business partner, Leanne then set up Redcow Marketing, which helped people grow their businesses online.
 
Six years ago, Leanne relocated to Christchurch and has since held GM roles in the professional services industry with Cambridge Partners and Moore Stephens Markhams.
 
On weekends, you can find Leanne spending time with family and friends and maybe rehearsing for her latest musical theatre project, as a member of CentreStage Rolleston.

Quasar is excited to welcome John to our team. John joins us in the role of Business Development / Technical Sales. He will be responsible for business development and account management for selected Quasar clients across New Zealand and internationally.
 
John brings many years of experience with mission critical solutions. As an award-winning international business development operator, John is passionate about taking solutions developed in Christchurch to the world. Coming from an engineering background and working through to senior sales and marketing roles, John is dedicated to putting the end user at the centre of all aspects of solutions provision. This focus has been sharpened in working closely with organisations all over the globe.
 
Richard Schwass, our Managing Director says, “I am really excited about John joining our team and I am certain that our customers are going to enjoy interacting with him. John joins us at a real turning point for the company as we increase our focus on delivering state of the art energy management solutions to the markets we serve.”
 
Prior to joining Quasar, John worked in business development management for Mimomax Wireless, working with power utilities delivering truly innovative communications solutions for protection, SCADA and telemetry. Previously, John has held a number of senior roles, managing strategic customers and opening new markets with Tait Communications.
 
John states “The energy sector is in a real time of change, challenge and disruption.  I see Quasar Systems as perfectly placed to deliver real value to customers, to bring resilience and efficiency and put them ahead of the curve in these changing times.”