Melbourne, 20 January 2023 – GreyScan Pty Ltd, an Australian private company providing the world’s first deployable trace detection technology platform for the analysis of homemade inorganic explosives, is pleased to announce the appointment of US-based Susan Johnson as Non-Executive Chair of the GreyScan Board. Susan joins Mo McGowan and William McGann to round out our US Board with strong defence and government relationships and operational experience.
Susan succeeds Jefferson Harcourt, Founder and Executive Director of GreyScan who has served as Chair since October 2020. Jefferson will continue as Executive Director on GreyScan’s Board.
As a former senior executive in the U.S. government and current executive in the private sector, Susan brings more than two decades of experience leading public and private teams to successful mission fulfillment. Susan’s appointment reflects GreyScan’s commitment to building a US-centric operation to be closest to its key customer base.
“It is a distinct honor to join GreyScan as Chairman of the Board. I’m eager to work with all the Board members, GreyScan’s CEO, Samantha Ollerton, and the team, to expand awareness and adoption of GreyScan’s ground-breaking screening and trace detection tools to enhance security around the globe.”
Jefferson Harcourt said, “Susan brings significant expertise and leadership to the company as we continue to build out a strong US-based board and accelerate our engagement with the US Government and other customers, as well as US investors and partners. I’m delighted to have someone with Susan’s experience and credentials as Chair, it reflects the importance of our technology.”
Ms. Johnson serves as CEO of TrafficLand, Inc., the United States’ largest authorized aggregator and redistributor of real-time traffic video imagery. With over 56 DOT partnerships, and over 40,000 cameras both in the U.S. and internationally, TrafficLand’s unique video processing/distribution technology is the premier solution for applications requiring accurate, timely and highly available video data. As CEO she has led the company to profitability and an expanded network footprint.
As Managing Principal of TAG Holdings, Ms. Johnson has been involved in assisting the firm’s corporate clients in matters of corporate governance, corporate compliance and monitorship, and due diligence. Her expertise has delivered great value to clients including world-leading defence contractors and industry-leading medical device manufacturers.
Before joining TAG Holdings, Ms. Johnson was Chief of Staff to Vice Admiral Thad Allen. With Allen, she managed the unprecedented federal response to Hurricane Katrina, which spanned 90,000 miles across five Gulf Coast states and was the worst hurricane in U.S. history. Ms. Johnson oversaw redevelopment efforts and $100 billion in disaster relief for nearly one million displaced residents.
Previously, Ms. Johnson was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Chief of Staff for Management. Her focus was integrating the 22 federal agencies that formed DHS. She also managed DHS’s core business functions, including a $43.2 billion dollar operating budget and procurement, information technology, human resources and administrative services offices.
From 2001 to 2005, Ms. Johnson was Senior Advisor to the U.S. Attorney General and Department of Justice White House Liaison. She developed and implemented a $22 billion annual operating budget for the agency, was principal advisor on management and appropriations issues, and helped reorganize the Department after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Her work earned her the Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Management.
GreyScan’s CEO, Samantha Ollerton said “Susan’s appointment as Chair of the GreyScan Board demonstrates how far the business and technology platform has come. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with her and the rest of the GreyScan Board, to build a high growth, global, deep tech business in 2023 and beyond.”
Ms. Johnson holds an MBA and Master of Public Policy, with honors, from Regent University, a BA with honors from Palm Beach Atlantic University, and is a Certified International Project Manager (CIPM).