HAL arranged and managed the rigorous selection process which included:
advertising of the positions available and the core competencies required of the IAC in regional newspapers, on the HAL website and the Avocados Australia Limited website; assessment of the written applications by an independent recruitment agency; telephone interviews by the recruiting agency with each of the applicants; and assessment of each of the applications by an Independent Selection Panel (ISP) against agreed criteria.
The advertised core competencies that were sought for the IAC are:
- Understand key strategic avocado industry development objectives
- Knowledge of all sectors of the avocado supply chain
- Understanding of regional avocado production issues
- Expertise in marketing strategy
- Commercial knowledge of domestic avocado marketing
- Commercial knowledge of export avocado marketing
- Practical research knowledge and experience
- Practical extension knowledge and experience
- Broad understanding of the Australian horticulture research capacity and capability
The new Members of the IAC have excellent credentials in avocado production, research and development, supply chain and marketing and were chosen following an extensive national search.
The new members are Western Australian grower Wayne Franceschi; supply chain and export specialist Anthony Walsh; DAFFQ extension horticulturist Simon Newett; northern New South Wales grower Jack Archer; and tri-state grower and Director of Avocados Australia Limited (AAL) Barry Avery. They bring specific expertise in the areas of research, extension, agribusiness, avocado growing, export and supply chain.
HAL has also appointed Ms Christine Hawkins as the new Independent Officer on the Avocado IAC. Among a broad range of professional skills, Christine also brings extensive governance expertise to the committee, particularly in regard to procurement and risk management.
The new IAC members join existing committee members: Avocado Australia Limited (AAL) Chairman and North Queensland grower Jim Kochi; Southern Queensland grower Daryl Boardman; Central Queensland growers Lachlan Donovan and John Walsh -all of whom are current directors of AAL; and the IAC Chair Bob Granger.
Past IAC members that are no longer part of the new IAC are Russell Delroy, Peter Annand, Tom Silver and Chris Nelson.
The Avocado IAC is tasked with the development and oversight of the delivery the five year Strategic Investment Plan for avocado R&D and marketing levies that are managed by Horticulture Australia.
For more information:
Mr Warwick Scherf
Tel: +61 (02) 8295 2333
