ITASCA Australia will have a new general manager starting January 1, 2027, with the appointment of David Wines, currently a principal with the company, announced by ITASCA International. The decision follows a competitive recruitment process that considered both internal and external candidates, signaling a deliberate choice to prioritize continuity and deep institutional knowledge.
Wines succeeds Glenn Sharrock, who is stepping down from the general manager role to focus full-time on consulting as a senior principal with ITASCA Australia. That shift is designed to give clients more direct access to Sharrock’s engineering and consulting expertise, effectively expanding the firm’s senior technical capacity even as leadership changes hands.
The transition matters for the mining and engineering sectors because ITASCA Australia serves clients who depend on specialized geomechanics and numerical simulation expertise for complex projects. Wines brings more than two decades of industry experience, with recognized work supporting open-pit mining operations. He combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, having served as a principal with ITASCA Australia and on the board of directors of ITASCA International, Inc., most recently as board chair.
“David’s leadership experience, technical expertise, and commitment to our clients make him exceptionally well suited to lead ITASCA Australia,” said Jonny Sjöberg, chief executive officer of ITASCA International. “This transition benefits both our team and our clients by pairing experienced executive leadership with expanded access to world-class consulting expertise.”
For clients working with Wines on open-pit mining projects, the appointment suggests continuity in technical depth and specialized consulting resources. The leadership change is also positioned to support ITASCA Australia’s continued growth by strengthening executive leadership, expanding senior consulting capacity, and maintaining stable relationships with existing clients.
Wines framed his new role in terms of building on the existing foundation. “I am honored to take on this role and continue building on the strong foundation Glenn and the team have created,” he said. “ITASCA Australia has a talented team and a strong reputation for technical excellence. I look forward to supporting our clients, developing our people and helping guide the company’s continued growth.”
The implications extend beyond a single office. ITASCA is an employee-owned engineering consulting and software development company specializing in geomechanics, hydrogeology and geochemistry, engineering geology, and numerical simulation. Through consulting, software, and applied research, the firm helps clients solve complex engineering challenges in the mining, civil, energy, and environmental sectors. A stable, technically grounded leadership transition at its Australian operation may reinforce client confidence and support long-term project continuity in a region where mining expertise is in high demand.
