NZ: New CEO for Kiwifruit Vine Health
"The KVH Board is pleased to have secured the calibre of expertise Barry will bring to KVH as we move into the next phase of Psa-V management. Barry takes over the role from the current general manager, John Burke. John has been on a one-year contract with KVH since we were set up in December 2010 to lead our industry's response to the kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V," Mr McBride said.
Barry O'Neil has significant biosecurity knowledge from several years in senior management and leadership roles with MAF Biosecurity NZ, in New Zealand and overseas. His career experience includes international standard setting and trade negotiations; biosecurity risk-management activities involving the border, surveillance, response and eradication; and organisational change management. Barry led MAF's emergency response efforts into a number of incursions including the Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD) in 1997, the Waiheke Island foot and mouth disease hoax in 2005 and, more recently, the intial MAF response efforts to Psa.
"Barry's background matches the skillset and strategic leadership strengths the KVH Board requires to take our industry forward in the Psa-V environment," said Peter McBride.
Mr McBride also paid tribute to John Burke for his industry leadership in the response to the Psa-V incursion throughout the past 14 months.
"John stepped into the role of general manager from the beginning of our response to Psa-V management and has been 100 per cent committed to leading our fight against this bacterial disease. As a grower, and with the benefit of direct involvement with the kiwifruit industry for many years, John's knowledge and leadership from the outset have been greatly appreciated by the kiwifruit industry and associated sectors. Indications about new varieties are showing positive steps for our recovery pathway ahead and I thank John sincerely for his part in this work. John will continue working with KVH as an advocate to the banking and financial sectors towards re-establishing affected orchards."
Source: www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/
