DiData hires TechOne figure to lead Canberra assault

Dimension Data has recruited a federal government technology veteran from TechnologyOne to lead its ACT operations.

Steve Gunn started last month as Dimension Data's ACT state manager, two days after departing TechnologyOne as its regional manager for ACT.

"I had my last day on Tuesday [with TechnologyOne], had Wednesday off, then had to go to an event on Thursday for Dimension Data," said Gunn.

The Canberra technology identity replaced Pete Murray in the position, who is now on the national leadership team of DiData as director of business units operations.

Gunn said that exciting times lay ahead with federal government clients, with Dimension Data about to more than double its head count in Canberra following the Oakton acquisition. Just last week the solutions giant launched a new Canberra data centre with an event at Parliament House featuring communications minister Malcom Turnbull.

Gunn has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, including 23 years with Telstra.

He told CRN that Telstra sent him to live in pre-embargo Vietnam in the 1990s, replete with government agents shadowing his every move and telephone tapping.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Gunn.

Coming from Manly in northern Sydney, Gunn has been based in Canberra since the late 1980s. He led TechnologyOne's Canberra arm for over two years, holding an equivalent role for Fuji Xerox immediately before that.

Gunn has also had stints with Optus, Alphawest, and IDP Education Australia.

Gunn also sits on the ACT council committee of the Australian Information Industry Association.