ABA Directors
Peter Hayes Chairman
Peter was appointed as the ABA independent Chairperson in February 2020 . Peter has extensive experience across education and training , R & D investment and management , viticultural operations , the irrigation sector and government and industry affairs . Peter has held various industry positions including Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University and a board member of Irrigation Australia . Peter operates as an independent Wine Industry Strategist and Advisor with activity in Australia , India and the UK . He is also Business Editor of the International Journal of Wine Economics and Policy .
Neale Bennett Sunraysia Grower Director
Neale has been involved with almonds since converting his family farm from vines in 1992 . Neale also operates a contract almond harvesting business , Cowanna Harvesting . Neale has filled the roles of Chairman and Sunraysia Region Grower Representative on the ABA Board as well as Secretary , Treasurer and Chairman of the Sunraysia region of the Australian Almond Growers ’ Association ( AAGA ). Neale ’ s committee positions include Chair of both the Remuneration Committee and Conference Committees and represents the ABA at Horticulture Innovation Australia .
Peter Cavallaro Deputy Chairman Adelaide Grower Director
Peter is the general manager of Walker Flat Almonds in South Australia ’ s Murraylands . A third-generation almond grower , he has been in the industry since 1973 when his family bought an orchard at Angle Vale . He was also involved in the cut flower industry and served as a director of the Adelaide Flower Market until 2002 .
Peter holds an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture and has completed the Company Directors Course . Since 2013 , he has been a director of the Almond Board of Australia , representing the Adelaide region , and is currently the Deputy Chairman . He chairs the Production and Pollination Committees and is a member of the Plant Improvement and Almond Centre Committees .
Stephen Beckwith Swan Region Grower Director
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business Degree and is the General Manager of Indian Ocean Farms , overseeing three properties in Western Australia . He joined the almond industry in 2019 after six years with the Berry Division of the Costa Group as Regional Manager for Tasmania and Western Australia . Before that , he spent 10 years as Operations Manager of the Sumich Olive Oil Division in Western Australia .
Stephen has served as Chairman , Treasurer , and Director of two local Community Banks and has been active in various industry and community groups , including Industry Advisory Committees . He 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
James Callipari Riverina Grower Director
James graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science ( Agriculture ) in 2003 and then formally joined the family farming business . He has extensive experience in producing various fruits , vegetables , and grains , both irrigated and dryland . In 2006 , he began developing an almond orchard in the Riverina region , leveraging his farming expertise . In 2013 , James received the Phil Watters Award for excellence and service to the Australian Almond Industry .
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 Marketer Director
Damien is the Executive General Manager of Olam Orchards Australia , overseeing almond operations . Since 2012 , he has built a team to manage the orchards , established a new processing facility , and led global marketing efforts . Damien is also part of the Olam International Edible Nuts Management Committee , which includes cashew and peanut businesses . He serves on the Market Development , Audit and Risk , Remuneration , Almond Centre , and Conference Committees .
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