Beef Central publishes an occasional summary of appointments, departures and achievements occurring across the red meat and livestock supply chain. Send details for entries to admin@beefcentral.com

• Chris Back new ALEC board chair
• Former AA Co senior manager takes GM role with Tipperary
• Business development management appointment strengthens RMA network
• MLA’s new manager for industry and corporate affairs
• Stone Axe appoints Breeding, Genetics & Animal Welfare Manager
• New chair for Global Animal Health Industry Association
• US Meat Export Federation elects new chair
• Vet deployments boost biosecurity frontline in regional Queensland
• Uni award for agribusiness innovator
• Crawford Fund role for NFF’s Su McCluskey
• Carbon Market Institute recruits new CEO
• New CEO for QRIDA

Chris Back new ALEC board chair

The Australian Livestock Exporters Council has elected respected veterinarian and former Western Australian Senator Dr Chris Back as its new independent Board Chair.

Ushering in a new era, Dr Back replaces David Galvin, who has chaired ALEC since 2020 and prior to that was a director and chair of LiveCorp.

Chris Back

Dr Back has extensive experience across animal science, livestock production and government, and is well placed to lead Australia’s $1 billion livestock export industry in championing on-going market growth, policy reform and supply chain professionalism, ALEC said in a statement.

ALEC chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said Dr Back’s appointment brought a valuable combination of technical expertise, policy experience and long-standing commitment to evidence-based animal welfare.

“Chris brings an exceptional depth of understanding of livestock systems, industry regulation and the strategic challenges and opportunities for our members right across the supply chain,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said. “His experience will strengthen ALEC’s leadership on industry policy, regulatory reform, professional standards and market access and help us continue to advocate on behalf of an industry that makes an enormous contribution to Australia’s economy, rural and regional communities and global food security.”

Mr Harvey-Sutton thanked Mr Galvin for his many years of service to the live export industry.

“David has been a luminary for industry and under his guidance, the industry has earned significant trust and respect due to its unwavering commitment to trade integrity, animal welfare ethics and regulatory fairness,” he said.

Former AA Co senior manager takes GM role with Tipperary

Former Australian Agricultural Co senior pastoral operations manager Michael Johnson has taken up a new role, being appointed general manager of the Tipperary Group of Stations in the Northern Territory.

Michael Johnson

Under a managed process, he replaces David Connolly in the role, who finishes up at the end of December after 11 years with Tipperary managing the assets, operations and development of the company’s pastoral and farming business.

After 15 years working with the company, Mr Johnson left his AA Co role as executive general manager of pastoral operations suddenly in May.

The Tipperary Group manages almost 400,000ha of country in the NT’s top end, including Tipperary Station, Litchfield Station and Douglas West Station (Douglas West is currently on the market through a campaign with LAWD – click here to view ad details on Property Central, and an editorial to appear tonight). The business is focused on large-scale cattle backgrounding and breeding, cattle agistment, live export quarantine, broadacre cropping (cotton) and fodder production.

It’s anticipated that David Connolly will move into a new industry role, still based in Northern Australia, some time in December of January.

Simon Kensit

Taking up responsibility as AA Co’s executive general manager of supply chain operations in July, following Michael Johnson’s departure was Simon Kensit, who joined AA Co through the company’s graduate program* in 2016. He progressed through a series of senior operational roles, leading major transformation initiatives across feedlot operations, capital planning, commodity procurement, and integrated supply chain strategy.

Prior to his current role, Mr Kensit was AA Co’s Regional Manager – Intensive Operations, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening enterprise-wide performance and delivering infrastructure and innovation projects.  He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) from the University of Sydney, with a focus on livestock production and agronomy. He is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Australian Lot Feeders Association’s Industry Capability Committee.

* Click this link to view Beef Central’s popular Ag sector Graduate Program Directory.

Business development management appointment strengthens RMA network

The RMA Network has appointed Jason Webber as the independent agency body’s Business Development Manager. This strategic addition marks a significant step in RMA Networks’ ongoing commitment to supporting independent Livestock and Property Agents across Australia.

As the RMA Network continues to evolve its product offering, the focus remains firmly on delivering value and enhancing the tools agents use to engage clients, the company said in a statement. Over the past two years, RMA Networks’ value proposition has grown steadily, driven by improvements in insurance, advertising, central processing and training services—resources that empower members to deliver professional service to farmers and graziers nationwide.

As part of this process, Mr Webber has been appointed to build on this momentum in expanding RMA’s operational capacity, ensuring the team has the time and resources to further develop and improve member services.

He brings a wealth of experience to the role, including 32 years as a professional meat buyer and five years in livestock systems development

To be based out of Dubbo NSW, Mr Webber has cultivated a broad network of agents and buyers across the eastern seaboard and South Australia.

As Business Development Manager he will focus on driving member engagement and recruitment, coordinating agency networking and product promotion, supporting RMA Network training initiatives alongside RMA Network Training and Recruitment Coordinator Simone Dand, and representing the network across industry and sales channels.

Jason will work closely with the RMA Network CEO, members, and operational team to ensure members are well-informed and connected – strengthening linkages across the Network. His appointment also provides skill set flexibility to the Board as it prepares for the recruitment of a new CEO in July next year, following Chris Howie’s retirement.

MLA’s new manager for industry and corporate affairs

Darrin Davies has been appointed as Meat & Livestock Australia’s Manager of the Industry Corporate Affairs Unit.

Mr Davies comes to this role with deep experience in communications and corporate affairs, including from his most recent role as Communication Manager at Cotton Australia, where he has worked for the last five years. He has also worked as Strategic Stakeholder Manager at Airservices Australia and in various other roles involving government communications, and strategic and crisis communications. He started in his new role last month, based out of MLA’s Brisbane office.

Stone Axe appoints Breeding, Genetics & Animal Welfare Manager

Stone Axe Pastoral Co has appointed Matias Suarez as the company’s Group Breeding, Genetics & Animal Welfare Manager.

The move is designed to strengthen Stone Axe’s commitment to leading innovation, animal welfare and genetic excellence across its Wagyu operations, a company statement said. He will take up his new role next February.

Matias Suarez

Originally from Argentina, Mr Suarez brings more than two decades of experience in genetics, breeding and cattle industry leadership. He originally arrived in Australia as a veterinarian and has since built a career working alongside some of the country’s foremost geneticists, including Don Nicol, who also played a foundational role in the establishment of the Stone Axe genetics program.

His career has spanned key leadership roles at the Australian Agricultural Co and, most recently, as chief operating officer with the Australian Wagyu Association, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s technical capability, systems and national programs.

During his tenure at AWA, Mr Suarez was instrumental in initiatives including finalising the Helical database,  expanding the use of MateSel across the Wagyu membership, and advancing the AWA-PTP program — ensuring greater collaboration, data integration and operational resilience within the Association. His dedication, professionalism and collaborative spirit have left a lasting legacy and set a strong platform for future growth within the breed.

“Matias is an exceptional leader who blends technical excellence with a genuine passion for people and progress,” said Stone Axe Pastoral Chief Executive Anna Speer.

“He has a proven ability to build high-performing teams and national programs that deliver both genetic advancement and animal welfare outcomes. We are excited for him to build on our foundations across Stone Axe, Cobungra Station Fullblood and Margaret River Wagyu brands,” Ms Speer said.

Matias said he was looking forward to contributing to the next phase of the company’s breeding and production strategy.

“Stone Axe has developed a reputation for quality and innovation across the Wagyu sector,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue that legacy — driving genetic progress, supporting animal welfare excellence, and building capability across the value chain.”

New head of Global Animal Health Industry Association

The global animal health industry association, HealthforAnimals, has elected a new president.

Armin Wiesler, a member of the board of managing directors at Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for the Animal Health Business Unit, has taken on the role.

HealthforAnimals’ members represent 90 percent of the global market for veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, and other animal health products worldwide. Dr Wiesler takes over the position from Jack Bendheim, President and CEO of Phibro Animal Health.

“Dr Wiesler has shown long-standing leadership at one of the largest global animal health companies and his deep knowledge of the sector, particularly as he has also served as a past President of the Asian Animal Health Association, will help strengthen our  Association’s role in ensuring healthier animals, people, and our planet,” said HealthforAnimals executive director Carel du Marchie Sarvaas.

Since joining Boehringer Ingelheim in 2008, Dr Wiesler has held local, regional and global leadership roles in corporate strategy and development, human pharma and animal health. He was Regional Managing Director & Head of Animal Health Southeast Asia, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, based in Singapore; General Manager in Thailand, worked at Boehringer’s Human Pharma US headquarters and spent six years in corporate roles in Ingelheim, Germany.

“The health of humans and animals is closely interconnected, and the importance of healthy animals has never been clearer,” Dr Wiesler said. “From protecting food security and livelihoods to supporting disease prevention in animals, our sector plays a vital role in supporting a more sustainable livestock production as well as healthier pets and people, thereby improving our world.”

New chair for US Meat Export Federation

The US Meat Export Federation has elected new officers this month, with Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company based in Boise, Idaho elected chair. He succeeds Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from southwestern Nebraska. The USMEF chair-elect for the coming year is Dave Bruntz, who raises corn and soybeans and feeds cattle in southeastern Nebraska. Bruntz is a past president of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen.

The USMEF vice chair is Darin Parker, director of Salt Lake City-based exporter/distributor PMI Foods. The newest USMEF officer is Secretary-Treasurer Ross Havens, a cattle producer who serves as marketing coordinator for Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa.

Vet deployments boost biosecurity frontline in regional Queensland

Queensland’s biosecurity frontline has welcomed four new veterinarians to strengthen the state’s biosecurity frontline.

Based in Cairns, Charters Towers and Charleville, these new staff members will take on leadership roles, delivering high-quality veterinary and surveillance services that protect Queensland’s livestock industries, animal welfare standards, and public health.

Three of the new vets are part of the Department of Primary Industries’ commitment to deliver 100 new biosecurity officers in regional locations and one is supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Northern Australian Biosecurity Strategy initiative.

Queensland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Allison Crook said biosecurity was critical to safeguarding Queensland’s agricultural industries, animal health and our access to interstate and international markets.

“By embedding skilled professionals in key regional locations, Biosecurity Queensland is enhancing its ability to respond to emerging threats, support local producers, and uphold the state’s reputation as a leader in animal biosecurity and welfare,” she said.

• Charleville’s new Operational Vet, Courtney Scott, comes with deep roots in Queensland’s Channel Country, after growing up on a family cattle station near Windorah. Dr Scott has spent seven years as a private vet in rural clinics across the state and has experience working in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
• Elias Christofi has relocated from Sydney to Cairns, after working as a district vet across Greater Sydney – mainly with chickens, goats, sheep, and cattle. With a background in political, economic and social science research, Dr Christofi has a strong interest in One Health, focusing on the interconnection between animal, human and environmental health.
• Daniel Metcalfe, based in Charters Towers, is looking forward to using his firsthand experience as a producer to assist with the high cattle throughput in the region. “As a small producer myself, I empathise with others involved in the industry that suffer cattle losses. When assisting them to determine what has occurred, it allows me to use both my skillsets and compassion to help them navigate the situation,” Dr Metcalfe said.

UniSQ award for agribusiness innovator

Agribusiness innovator and veteran grazier KM (Mac) Drysdale has been named the University of Southern Queensland’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year, honouring his extraordinary career and dedication to advancing sustainable practices and shaping the future of regional economies.

Mac Drysdale

The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of UniSQ graduates who have made a meaningful impact in their careers, industries, or communities.

A nationally respected leader, Mr Drysdale, a 1975 business degree graduate, has built a remarkable career spanning agriculture, corporate governance, education and community development – all while staying deeply connected to his roots at Perola Park, his family property near Augathella.

He rose to prominence in the wool industry, chairing the Australian Wool Corporation and the International Wool Secretariat during a time of global change.

His leadership extended well beyond agriculture, guiding companies such as Country Road Australia, Mitre 10, and Seymour Whyte through major growth and transformation.

He also received the Alumnus Award for Leadership & Professional Excellence.

Ag leaders graduate in Canberra

A dozen women have cemented their place as agricultural leaders after graduating from this year’s Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.

The National Farmers Federation-run program saw the participants met politicians, underwent training, visited Parliament House, and worked with their personal mentors over the course of six months.

This year’s graduates included Allison Dakin, WA; Bronwyn Venus, Qld; Courtney Bailey, Qld; Georgia Campbell, NSW; Karen Penfold, Qld; Malinda Guest, NSW;  Mary Johnson, NSW; Mon Saunders, SA; Nada Sukkarieh, NSW; Victoria Fish, Vic; and Vivienne McCollum, Qld.

“The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, and my mentor, helped me turn conviction into action and leadership into impact, reminding me that growth happens when you’re both challenged and supported,” said graduate Bronwyn Venus.

Fellow graduate Karen Penfold described the program’s power as “immeasurable”.

“I have been absolutely honoured to share this year’s program with a dynamic, inspiring group of women who have enriched my network,” she said.

NFF chief executive Su McCluskey said this year’s cohort was full of energy and determination.

“This program, its mentors, and its participants are forging new paths in the ag leadership space. I have no doubt this is just the start of an amazing journey for this cohort, and I look forward to seeing where their success takes them,” Ms McCluskey said.

“I commend the unwavering dedication of our Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program graduates,” she said.

Crawford Fund role for NFF’s Su McCluskey

Meanwhile the Crawford Fund for Food Security has welcomed the appointment of Ms McCluskey, the Fund’s Chair, to the newly formed National Food Council as announced recently by Agriculture MinisterJulie Collins.

The Council will advise the Federal Government on the development of the National Food Security Strategy which aims to boost the productivity, resilience and security of our food system.

“The Crawford Fund for Food Security supports the development of the Feeding Australia: National Food Security Strategy, and the National Food Council, as we believe that food security must be recognised as both a domestic necessity and a strategic imperative,” Ms McCluskey said.

Ms McCluskey is a senior business executive, company director and cattle producer, with a background in agricultural policy, production and research.

“As chair of the Crawford Fund for Food Security, an organisation which works to increase regional and global food security through collaboration and training, I look forward to bringing this broader focus to the Council, alongside my diverse experience in working at all levels of Australian agriculture,” she said.

“Australia’s food security cannot be considered in isolation. It is bound to the resilience of regional and global systems. We have seen disease outbreaks, climate change, and geopolitical shocks all threaten supply chains, trade, and stability,”

The 11-members of the National Food Council have been selected to bring a diverse range of experiences from across Australia’s food system including primary producers, processors, distributors, academics and investors. The first council meeting will be held before the end of the year.

Carbon Market Institute recruits new CEO

The Carbon Market Institute has appointed Sasha Courville as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Courville has extensive experience in developing and deploying integrated solutions to complex climate change and sustainability challenges. This makes her the ideal person to lead the Carbon Market Institute as Australia buckles down to the critical task of implementing net zero, the institute said in a statement.

Dr Courville was the inaugural Chief Impact Officer with Bank Australia, responsible for embedding sustainability across the bank. This included leading the implementation of the bank’s climate action strategy, and enabling lending into high integrity carbon and biodiversity projects through its nature and biodiversity strategy.

She also held several climate, sustainability and social impact roles at National Australia Bank, including Social Impact Executive, Head of Social Innovation, Head of Corporate Responsibility, and Project Director, Natural Value Strategy. She led NAB’s decarbonisation pathways work, strengthened banker capability to support clients in transition, and designed NAB’s natural capital strategy focused on integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services considerations into risk management, agribusiness customer engagement and product development.

She is also a former Executive Director of the London-based ISEAL Alliance, which serves as the global hub for a range of sustainability standards and certification initiatives, defining best practice for credible standard-setting, assurance and impact measurement.

The Carbon Market Institute is a member-based institute accelerating the transition towards a negative emissions, nature positive world. It champions best practice in carbon markets and climate policy, and its 140 members include primary producers, carbon project developers, Indigenous organisations, legal, technology and advisory services, insurers, banks, investors, corporate entities and emission intensive industries.

Dr Courville took up her new role on 1 November.

Agribusiness Australia welcomes new Chair and Board Directors

Agribusiness Australia has appointed Dave McKeon, Head of Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture at Elders Limited, as the organisation’s new chair. This follows the departure of outgoing Chair Mark Barber, who has stepped down after several years of dedicated service, along with fellow directors Georgie Ailey and Ben Tiller.

Three new directors have joined the Board: Andrea Koch from Exoflare, Calvin Stead from Kelly Tillage and Carissa Buckland from Nutrien. Patrick McClelland, Managing Partner at Porter Novelli, continues in his role as Deputy Chair.

Mr McKeon said he looked forward to building on the strong foundations already in place at Agribusiness Australia and welcomed new directors to the Board.

“Agribusiness Australia has cemented its role as a driver of the national conversations that shape impact across the agribusiness sector,” Mr McKeon said.

He said the Board’s focus will be on advancing the national conversation for continued agribusiness success in Australia. “Our priority is to keep the national conversation focused on the outcomes that drive growth and resilience; including on key topics such as investment, innovation, sustainability, food security and a strong workforce.”

“Agribusiness Australia will continue to champion the ideas, partnerships and policy settings that help get us there, supported by a practical ESG program that underpins a sustainable, globally competitive future for the sector.”

New CEO for QRIDA

Brooke Irwin took over last month as the new Chief Executive Officer with the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

Her background includes more than 20 years of senior banking experience, including her most recent roles as QRIDA’s Chief Lending Officer for the past three years, during which she has also acted as Chief Executive Officer.

“Since I first started working at QRIDA, I’ve been able to witness first-hand the impact of our financial assistance, and I am committed to building on my finance experience to lead the hard-working QRIDA team in delivering meaningful and effective financial assistance to support and grow our rural and regional communities right across Queensland,” she wrote in a recent communication with stakeholders.

Ms Irwin put emphasis on QRIDA delivering impactful financial assistance through the wide range of schemes it administer, especially its flagship First Start and Sustainability Loans to help Queensland primary producers get started, grow and expand their operations.

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