DARREN MINTER Sunraysia Region Grower Representative
Darren is Managing Director of Minter Magic , a large almond , asparagus and citrus property situated in lraak , Victoria . Darren is a major shareholder in the Red Cliffs Almond Growers Co-op , started in 1985 . He is also member of the Australian Asparagus Council and a member of Citrus Australia . Darren holds a Diploma of Production Horticulture and was the VFF Victorian Apprentice of the year in 1988 ( Fruit Section ). In addition to being an ABA Board Grower representative for the Sunraysia Region , Darren serves on the Plant Improvement Committee , R & D Forum Committee and Water Committee .
STEPHEN BECKWITH Swan Region Grower Representative
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business Degree and is currently the General Manager of Indian Ocean Farms , which includes three properties in Western Australia . Stephen joined the almond industry in 2019 after spending six years with the Berry Division of the Costa Group , as Regional Manager Tasmania and Regional Manager Western Australia . Prior to this Stephen was Operations Manager of the Sumich Olive Oil Division in Western Australia for 10 years . Stephen is a past Chairman , Treasurer and Director of two local Community Banks and has been involved with numerous industry and community groups , including Industry Advisory Committees . Stephen is a member of the ABA Production Committee , Conference Committee , a proxy member of the Audit Committee and the current Chair of the ABA Chemical Taskforce .
NIGEL CAREY Marketing Representative
Nigel is the CEO of Nut Producers Australia , having previously been General Manager Operations , with responsibility for managing NPA ’ s Export Sales and Marketing activities and Group Operations spanning both almonds and pistachios . He has been with NPA for 12 years , following an extensive agri-marketing , operations and management career in Tasmania .
Nigel ’ s qualifications include an MBA and GAICD , and he has served as a member of the ABA Processing Committee .
DAMIEN HOULAHAN Marketing Representative
Damien is the Executive General Manager of Olam Orchards Australia . Damien has the responsibility of overseeing almond operations for Olam in Australia . This has included building a team to manage the orchards exclusively from 2012 , the building of the new almond processing facility and the global marketing of Olam almonds from the Australian orchards . In addition to this role in Australia , Damien is also a member of the Olam International Edible Nuts Management Committee which includes the global cashew and peanut businesses . Damien is a member of the Market Development Committee , Audit and Risk Committee , Remuneration Committee , Almond Centre Committee and the Conference Committee .
DAVID SURVEYOR Up for election - Marketing Representative
Appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Select Harvests Limited on 20th February 2023 . David has experience across a variety of industries and expertise in the food sector . David was previously Chief Executive of Alliance Group Limited , Chairman of Alliance Group ( NZ ) Ltd , the UK subsidiary , a director of The Lamb Company ( North America ), Director Meateor Pet Foods , Director Beef and Lamb New Zealand and a member of the Meat Industry Association Council . David was also previously Executive General Manager of Laminex , a subsidiary of Fletcher Building and has held roles with BHP in Australia and as President of Bluescope Lysaght in Malaysia .
PAUL STEWART Up for election - Marketing Representative
Paul Stewart is Group Sales and Marketing Manager of Almondco Australia Ltd where he has responsibility for the strategic direction of the sales team and sale of Almondco ’ s annual intake . Paul joined Almondco in January 2022 and has over 40 years ’ experience in Horticultural and Agribusiness organisations , primarily based in SA ’ s Riverland region .
Beginning his career in Finance and Administration with Berri Fruit Juices , which then restructured into Berrivale Orchards Ltd , he moved into Operations . He later performed the Group Operations role for Riverland Fruit Co-op and then became CEO of Sunnyland Fruits Pty Ltd .
A Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants he has served on the board of Sunbeam Foods .
2022 / 23 ABA ANNUAL REPORT 9