vegetables

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Meet the AUSVEG team
ALONGSIDE ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND INTERIM CEO, AUSVEG IS DRIVEN BY A TEAM
OF MANAGERS WHO LEAD A RANGE OF DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING EXPORT DEVELOPMENT,
SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS, COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MARKETING AND FINANCE, AS
WELL AS CONTRIBUTING TO VICTORIAN AND SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATION.
Simon Bolles Jordan Brooke-Barnett Michael Coote Nev Crljenkovic
Simon Bolles, Interim CEO
Since his appointment as Interim CEO in May 2016, Simon Bolles
has taken leave of absence as an AUSVEG Skills-based Director
and member of the Risk and Compliance and Finance and Audit
subcommittees. Simon has a 30-year career in the financial services
sector, as well as being an experienced Board Member.
He has direct, research and advisory experience of numerous
industries, particularly in the fields of agribusiness, superannuation/
investments and infrastructure.
Jordan Brooke-Barnett, National Manager – Public Affairs
Jordan Brooke-Barnett is the National Manager of Public Affairs and
is responsible for AUSVEG’s considerable lobbying and campaign
work. He is passionate about growing the horticulture industry and
is always available to talk to growers about political issues facing
our industry. In addition to his national commitments, Jordan leads
state vegetable representative body AUSVEG SA and is a passionate
advocate for the South Australian industry. Jordan has worked in a
number of industry development roles with AUSVEG since joining the
company in 2011.
Michael Coote, National Manager – Export Development
Michael Coote holds the role of AUSVEG National Manager –
Export Development. Michael’s main responsibility is delivery of
the vegetable industry’s export market development and market
access program. He is a management professional with over 10
years of experience in the delivery of large-scale transformation,
reform and government efficiency initiatives. Michael has consulted
across a range of industries and sectors, including state and federal
government, not-for-profit organisations and industry associations.
Nev Crljenkovic, Chief Finance Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Nev Crljenkovic manages all financial,
accounting and administration matters pertaining to AUSVEG. Nev
has over 12 years of accounting experience with the last six years
spent in management and the previous five in the public practice
sector. Nev holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree from
Swinburne University and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).
Kurt Hermann Jessica Lye Shaun Lindhe Nathan McIntyre
Kurt Hermann, AUSVEG VIC State Manager
Kurt Hermann grew up in regional Victoria before moving to
Melbourne to study Public Relations at RMIT University. Following
his graduation, Kurt worked for a number of award-winning
Melbourne public relations agencies with a broad mix of clients.
Since joining AUSVEG as Design Team Coordinator in 2013, and his
subsequent role as Assistant Manager – Industry Development, Kurt
has gained an in-depth understanding of the Australian vegetable
and potato industries and the R&D advisory mechanisms instituted
by Horticulture Innovation Australia. He was appointed to head the
newly established AUSVEG VIC in October 2015.
Dr Jessica Lye, National Manager – Science and Extension
Jessica Lye joined the AUSVEG team in August 2014 and holds
the position of National Manager – Science and Extension. Jessica
manages the National Vegetable and Potato Biosecurity Program,
as well as the scientific team at AUSVEG. Jessica joined AUSVEG
after several years in scientific research and brings strong academic
credentials, having completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours at
Monash University before completing a PhD in Molecular Genetics.
Shaun Lindhe, National Manager – Communications
Shaun Lindhe joined AUSVEG in 2014 and currently manages
all vegetable and potato industry communication projects within
AUSVEG, including the production of popular industry magazines
Vegetables Australia and Potatoes Australia. He is responsible
for managing the peak industry body’s communications functions,
ensuring important R&D outcomes are widely conveyed to industry,
media and the public. Shaun holds a Master of Global Media
Communications and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) majoring in
Media and Communications from the University of Melbourne.
Nathan McIntyre, National Marketing Manager
As National Marketing Manager, Nathan McIntyre is responsible
for overseeing the National Horticulture Convention, as well as
developing and maintaining the numerous Strategic Partnerships
that AUSVEG has established over the years. Nathan holds a
Bachelor of Business majoring in Public Relations and has a
background in marketing within the sporting sector, having
previously worked on major marketing campaigns for Golf Australia.