Our team of directors are some of the beef industry’s most accomplished and recognized. They are committed and passionate about our charter to attract, educate and retain young people in all aspects of the beef supply chain.
The current board of directors is:
Frank Archer, Chairman
Frank Archer runs a beef seedstock operation and meat retailing business in northern Tasmania. Frank is passionate about encouraging our youth to engage in the beef industry. “We need enthusiastic and intelligent individuals continually entering our industry to ensure that all sectors remain profitable and sustainable”.
Frank believes that it is vital that young people are given the opportunity to broaden their horizons. “Life experience is as important as technical experience, an overseas travel scholarship for example will provide young people with the opportunity to develop both”.
Frank says “The beef industry has provided me with so many opportunities and I know what rewards can be gained from making a career in beef, in any sector”.
Landfall Angus, Frank’s family business has also been a long-time supporter of ABIF and is a benefactor member.
John Gunthorpe, Deputy Chairman CPA BCom DipEd CTA
John Gunthorpe has significant experience in the agribusiness sector having previously been CEO of Australian Poultry (Steggles), Australia Meat Holdings and the Meat Division of Elders IXL Limited.
John is past president of the Agribusiness Association of Australia and a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Consultative Committee on APEC.
He is passionate about the beef industry and education. Mentoring of young people to achieve their ambitions in the beef supply chain is critical to the future success of our industry and John’s membership of ABIF aims to assist in this objective.
He is Deputy Chairman of ABIF and Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Don Lawson OAM MAgSc CPAg
Don has been fully involved in the rural sector all his working life. He founded Lawsons Angus and is now closely involved with Paringa Livestock. Don pioneered recording and genetic evaluation in the beef industry with the system now known as BREEDPLAN as well as being instrumental in introducing liveweight selling at Newmarket.
He has occupied many positions in public and private organizations but his core interest is applying research and development to make productivity gains at the farm level and encouraging young people to achieve their goals.
Don received his MAgSc from Lincoln University in New Zealand, lectured at Marcus Oldham, was given the Howard Yelland Award in 1992, the OAM in in 2002 and the International Alumni Medal from Lincoln University in 2007.
Michael Pointer
Michael has spent most of his life in agribusiness, originally running a company exporting Australian sheep and lambskins, hides and wool worldwide.
He is an Honorary Life Member of The Australia China Business Council and Angus Australia.
Some of his recent achievements have been establishing Balgownie Angus and Certified Australian Angus Beef Pty Ltd (CAAB). In 1996, he was appointed executive chairman and later CEO of CAAB, during which time the brand developed to be Australia’s leading branded beef product.
Michael has been involved with ABIF for a number of years prior to becoming a director. He assisted the founding chairman in a number of fundraising activities, and believes the Foundation will continue to be an important component of the Australian beef industry.
Ben Stockwin BEd MAICD
Ben Stockwin is passionate about educating our students about Australia’s primary industries sector and the exciting career opportunities available. Ben has been a teacher in Queensland and Tasmania for 15 years including 8 years as a school principal.
His current role is as executive manager of the Primary Industries Education Foundation, the peak body for primary industries education in Australian schools.
Ben is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Council of Education Leaders.
Alison McIntosh BRBA
Alison hails from Crookwell in Southern NSW, where her family run a stud and commercial Angus cattle operation, “Myanga” where she is very actively involved and has also recently established her own line of stud Angus females, and stud “AJM Angus”.
With a degree in Rural Business and experience in cattle management, Alison runs her own business “AJM Livestock Solutions” which provides a variety of services, consultancy and training to beef producers.
As a young rural leader Alison is passionate about ensuring that the beef industry attracts and retains young passionate leaders, who can help take our industry into the future. We will not be going into the future without challenges and it is important that we provide opportunities for education and development, to ensure that we are in the best position to deal with these challenges and stay ahead of the game.
Renata Paliskis DAppSc MBA FAICD
Renata has worked in various roles in the beef industry over the last 25 years. Her roles have included trainee meat and livestock buyer for Woolworths, National QA Manager for Metro Meats, Plant Manager for Metro Meat, and Deputy General Manager for the Midcoast Meat Company and Meat Program Manager for the Department of Agriculture and Food. She was appointed Chief Executive Officer with the WA Meat Industry Authority in January 2007 and also holds the position of Managing Director with Livestock Logistics Western Australia.
Renata also runs a small beef enterprise outside Perth – producing forward stores for the feedlot market. In 2010, her weaner heifers topped the market at the Elders January weaner sale held at Midland Saleyards.
Renata has a Diploma of Applied Science in Agriculture, a Masters Degree in Business Administration, an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting. In 2006 she was made Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nick Sher BAgSc
Nick established Beefcorp Australia, a paddock-to-plate beef operation which markets its award-winning Sher Wagyu brand to 12 countries.
After completing an Agricultural Science degree at Melbourne University, Nick has worked in agriculture for almost 30 years and sees the need to encourage more young people to enter and remain in the beef industry.
He has served on a number of company and industry boards, primarily in the beef industry and is keen to see the next generation develop.
Nick believes the beef industry offers many opportunities for an exciting and rewarding career and it is critical that we assist more young progressive people to develop in the various sections of the supply chain.
Laura Cutajar BAniSci (Honours)
Laura is meat processing graduate working in conjunction with MLA and Teys Australia. She became involved with this graduate program after completing her studies in Animal Science (Honours) at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.
Currently in Biloela, she has been involved in co-coordinating projects like the introduction of spray chilling, as well as gaining exposure to all aspects of the company; an opportunity that not everyone gets.
Laura believes that the sustainability of the beef industry is hugely dependent on introducing and educating young people as well as retaining them and providing ongoing support. As a young person currently supported as a trainee in the beef industry; being a board member of ABIF is one way she feels she can give back to the industry and further promote its longevity.
