Matthew Cook

Background

About Matthew Cook

Mine has been a varied career. I started with a sound and practical education as a Systems Engineering Technician (tradesman) in the Royal Australian Navy. A brief stint in the offshore seismic survey industry allowed me to learn the fundamentals of geodesy; knowledge that has helped inform my understanding of subsea positioning technologies and software over the years. Leaving the seismic industry in the early 90's I found my real passion which is subsea technology. I first started in the world of ROVs as a pilot/tech working through the 90s worldwide. Towards the end of that decade, I focused on trenchers and started moving into offshore project management. In 2002 I formed SeaView Systems, Inc. which provides oceanographic and underwater technologies and services including electronics, Remotely Operated Vehicles, and custom tooling systems. Though I no longer operate SeaView Systems daily, I still support operational and custom development projects on a project-by-project basis.During my career, I have had exposure to a rich mix of practical, operational, and theoretical aspects of working with subsea technology and I've had the opportunity to exercise the principles of good leadership. I find that nowadays my broad experience base gives me a unique perspective of a project and the systems required to execute it well. I tend to see the Big Picture in ways that I could not early in my career. Along the way, I've stumbled from time to time, as those who walk off the beaten path will. The lessons I've learned inform my attitude toward safety and communicating the necessity of a culture of safety when working with hazards on a day-to-day basis. I've learned that exemplary performance only comes through careful, detailed planning and effective communication of that plan. These are my guiding principles for Project Engineering.Finally, my attitude towards leadership: I am not bombastic. I lead by trying to treat all team members, regardless of status, as valued colleagues. At the beginning of a project and at regular intervals during, I try to articulate clearly the goals of the project: why we do what we do. I try to give people as much scope as possible to demonstrate their skills and creativity. Through simple, clear diagrams, tables, and instructions I try to ensure that all team members are appropriately informed as to what is required of them. When needed, I try to redirect wayward actions with reason rather than emotion.