For over a decade, Morgan Ritter, Regional Manager, has been a familiar face within our ESS Defence team, mentoring future leaders and making a lasting impact. This year, his dedication was recognised when he took home the QLD Leader of the State Award at the 2024 Star Awards.
Reaching for the Stars
A trained Chef, Morgan has been working in hospitality since high school and first joined ESS Defence as a Catering Supervisor. For him, career growth has never been just about ‘moving up the ladder’ but about becoming the best version of himself. “At Compass Group Australia (CGA), you’re given the tools, support and encouragement to develop in ways you might not have imagined,” Morgan shares. “It’s about learning, growing and helping others do the same.”
With access to our development programs along with his real-world experience, Morgan can take on new challenges and expand his expertise. For him, success is about more than just personal growth, it’s about creating opportunities for others to thrive, too.
That passion for people is what drives Morgan. He loves the fast pace of hospitality, the energy of his team and the satisfaction of creating memorable experiences for customers. As a Regional Manager overseeing sites across Queensland, he finds the most fulfilment in mentoring others.
“A lot of my focus is on developing our next generation of leaders,” he says. “When we invest in our teams, we create opportunities for growth at every level.”
Shooting for a Sustainable Future
Beyond leadership, Morgan is a strong advocate for sustainability in the Defence sector, believing it’s more than a responsibility, it’s a chance to make a real difference. “We have a significant footprint in Defence and we touch so many areas, from food and transport to people and resources, so we need to do our part.”
A recent project that Morgan is particularly proud of is the Grow Chamber at Gallipoli Barracks. Aligned with our commitment of Net Zero by 2050, the Grow Chamber plays a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future.
Brought to life by MineARC Systems and Biora, this hydroponic, containerised grow chamber can cultivate up to 6,000 plants at a time and grows vegetables and herbs for daily use at site. Beyond its clear environmental benefits, this innovative project reduces food waste and packaging, improves freshness and quality for consumers, and delivers significant cost savings. Its impact was further recognised when the Gallipoli Barracks team won the QLD Innovation Award at the 2024 Star Awards.
More than just supplying leafy greens and herbs to Gallipoli’s Mess, this homegrown initiative extends its reach to other Defence and Government sites, reinforcing a commitment to self-sufficiency and local sourcing.
Read more about how our Defence teams are reducing waste here.
