Key Contacts

Meet the team

CEO
Alex Vallings | Global

“Ginge” has been a key innovative figure in the history of New Zealand's skiff sailing development and is well known by those at the top of international sailing. Starting out as a fitter and turner he quickly combined his sailing experience, strong knowledge of material properties and a drive to innovate to develop C-Tech’s reputation as a company that manufactures superior, high-quality composite products. Alex can be found most weekends ripping down Auckland’s Waitemata harbour on the back of a skiff.

CIO
Lyn Holland | Global

Lyn has been with C-Tech since 2001 when she merged her own software company with C-Tech. She is a keen sailor and has a background in software development, librarianship and administration systems. C-Tech is heavy on data and details, Lyn keeps C-Tech’s data management up-to-date with the rapidly evolving IT landscape.

COO
Chris Kitchen | Global

Chris has a background in mechanical engineering, marketing and business management. Prior to joining C-Tech in 2014, Chris spent 10 years building Weta Marine with his father from a garage project to a successful international business that has manufactured and sold over 1,000 composite sailing boats around the world. He is an accomplished sailor and is currently involved with kite foil racing in New Zealand.

CTO | Design
Riley Dean | Global

Riley joined C-Tech in 2021 after working in multiple America’s Cup campaigns with Oracle and American Magic. He brings a wealth of experience and passion to our design team. Riley has also been heavily involved in the development and design of the Bieker Moth. He is a fizz master and water sport fanatic. Most weekends you will find him either sailing his moth, surfing, kite/wing foiling or cruising the gulf.

nathan.quirk@c-techcomposites.com
Nathan Quirk | Batten Sales

Nathan's impressive background includes serving as Sail Manager for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing America's Cup Team (2022-2024) and the INEOS America's Cup Team (2018-2021), as well as Sail Coordinator for the Volvo Ocean Race. He brings a wealth of sail making experience to our team. Based in Europe, Nathan has been a dedicated client of C-Tech for the past decade. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to the expertise and innovation he will bring to our company.

tim.willetts@c-tech.co.nz
Tim Willetts | Mast Sales

Tim has over 30 years’ experience specialising in composite masts. He has held key positions at both Southern Spars and Hall Spars and has owned a large range of boats. Along with his knowledge, he brings to C-Tech innovation and passion to deliver the best solution to customers. On weekends Tim will be out on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf either catching large fish or racing his Zephyr sailing dinghy.

sam.cray@c-techcomposites.com
Sam Cray | Tube Sales

Sam joined C-Tech in 2023, having grown up in Auckland and lived in the UK for 4 years, working for Cyclops Marine, developing digital load sensors. With his background in mechanical engineering, high level technical experience from working in the design offices of leading marine companies, he brings a variety of experience. In his spare time he enjoys running around the city and out on the trails, and sailing on boats big and small.

jim.fitzsimons@c-techcomposites.com
Jim Fitzsimons | Logistics

Jim has been with C-Tech for over 15 years and is an expert in shipping long, slender fragile packages from NZ to the world within tight timelines. Prior to working at C-Tech Jim was a technical sales engineer at Airtech supplying composite equipment to the european aerospace industry.

GM | alberto.soler@c-techcomposites.com
Alberto Soler | Europe

Alberto grew up near the C-Tech Spain facility in Castellón, Spain. After studying engineering at Southampton University, he has held engineering, technical, and management roles at Future Fibres, Persico Marine, Longitud Cero, 3D Tech, and the INEOS Britannia. Along with his composites experience, he is also a keen sailor who has competed in national and European championships in a range of classes from Optimists to TP52s. Alberto's attention to detail, organisational skills, and high quality standards make him a valuable asset to C-Tech and will help expand their product offering in Europe.

BDM | Carlos.deBeltran@c-techcomposites.com
Carlos deBeltran | Europe

Carlos brings over 15 years of high-end racing experience with his involvement in 6 America’s Cup and 3 Ocean Race campaigns. He has been key in the transition of the sport to high performance foiling and the evolution of the Olympic classes. Carlos is passionate about customer service and will rise to any challenge presented. When given the time, you can find him foiling his moth around the waters of Valencia.

logistica@c-techcomposites.com
Jordi Babiloni | Europe

Jordi holds a Master's in Business Administration and another in Global Supply Chain and Logistics. Jordi previously worked in the business and operations development department of a retail company, and before that, served as a Logistics Manager in a steel company and at the port of Castelló. Jordi brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the logistics world and we are lucky to have him as a part of our Spanish team.