A Career Built on Trust, Growth and Purpose

Evan Woodall – General Manager, Northern Territory

I didn’t start at CJD because I was chasing a management role.

I started because I liked the people.

As a mechanical apprentice in Perth, I used to visit the Guildford parts team regularly. There was always a bit of banter, a bit of pride in the way they did things. It felt like a place where people enjoyed their work and backed each other.

In April 2005, I walked back through the doors, this time as an employee in the Forrestfield spare parts department. I had no idea at the time how important that decision would be in my life.

Learning the Foundations

The Forrestfield team was experienced, tight-knit and serious about doing the job right. They made me feel welcome, but they also set the standard early.

Those first few years taught me what CJD really stands for: customer focus, accountability and teamwork. In parts, you quickly understand that if you make a mistake, a truck doesn’t move. That responsibility shapes you.

In 2007, I moved into sales as DAF Regional Sales Manager. It was a big shift, higher pressure, more visibility, bigger expectations. It was also where I truly understood the impact our trucks have on customers’ businesses. Selling a truck isn’t just a transaction; it can change the trajectory of a company.

A Short Departure, and a Realisation

In late 2009, I left CJD to try something different.

It didn’t take long, about six weeks, to realise what I’d walked away from. The culture. The people. The shared sense of purpose. It wasn’t something you could easily replicate.

So I came back.

I rejoined the spare parts department as an OSR, grateful for the opportunity and more committed than ever.

Stepping Into Leadership

In 2011, when Barry Stokie moved into the DMS project rollout, an opportunity opened for me to step into the Parts 2IC role under Jack Greig.

That period was defining. We pushed the department hard, supported each other and built something we were proud of. It was where I learned that leadership isn’t about title, it’s about showing up consistently for your team and delivering results.

In 2015, my family and I made a big move to Darwin when I accepted the State Parts Manager role for the Northern Territory.

I thought the NT might be a slower version of WA. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Territory is unique, demanding, resilient and full of opportunity. The team there had pride, grit and a genuine connection to their customers. That role shaped me both professionally and personally. CJD backed me with mentorship and trust, and that made all the difference.

Leading Through Change

In 2020, I returned to WA as Regional Operations Manager during the uncertainty of COVID-19. It was a challenging time for everyone, but it reinforced something important: strong teams and clear leadership matter most when things are uncertain.

After two years, the opportunity arose to return to Darwin, this time as General Manager Northern Territory.

It felt right. It felt like home. I didn’t hesitate.

What Trust at CJD Really Means

Every role I’ve stepped into has come with genuine responsibility. CJD has trusted me to lead, make decisions, and learn along the way.

That trust builds confidence. It builds ownership. And it makes you want to give your best.

CJD didn’t just offer me progression; they gave me space to grow.

Supporting Our Customers by Backing Our People

My role today is to ensure our teams across the Northern Territory have what they need to succeed: systems, leadership support, clarity, and accountability.

When our people are confident and capable, our customers feel it. They see it in service levels, reliability, and how we respond when it matters.

At CJD, keeping customers moving isn’t a slogan. It’s what drives every decision.

Who Succeeds at CJD?

People who succeed here are those who:

• Want to build a career, not just have a job

• Take pride in doing things properly

• Value strong culture and teamwork

• Are willing to step up when opportunity comes

CJD rewards effort, loyalty and performance. If you’re prepared to put in the work and grow with the business, the opportunities are there.

Looking Back

When I reflect on my journey, it’s more than a list of roles.

• It’s about growth.
• It’s about trust.
• It’s about loyalty on both sides.

CJD Equipment has been a defining part of my life, and I’m proud to now lead a region that represents so much opportunity for the future.