RENMARK man Tim Jackson was yesterday named the new CEO of the Almond Board of Australia (ABA).
Mr Jackson will commence his role on October 5, replacing the retiring Ross Skinner, who is based in the Sunraysia.
Mr Jackson – a former editor of the Murray Pioneer – has a decade of experience as sales and marketing manager for Riverland-based Almondco Australia, and more recently as a director on the ABA Board.
During a period of expansion of productive capacity in the industry, he has been chair of the ABA’s Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Market Development Committee.
In a statement issued yesterday, the ABA said Mr Jackson’s involvement with Almondco had “provided deep knowledge of the issues of growing and marketing almonds”.
“This has been reinforced by his role on the ABA Board, the body that aims to provide a better operating environment for industry stakeholders…” the ABA said.
Mr Jackson said the ABA had emerged as a highly regarded peak industry body that continued to set strong standards within Australian horticulture for its supportive programs and its advocacy of the interests of its members.
“The board has successfully developed a global presence to accommodate the exponential growth in production over the past 20 years,” he said.
“We have gone from a boutique industry into a powerhouse of Australian horticulture with exports nearing $1bn but without compromising our collaborative industry-wide approach.”
ABA chairman Peter Hayes said the industry had reached a pivotal point in the organisation’s development.
“There is no doubt that the expansion in almond orchard plantings in the southern Murray Darling Basin has brought with it a higher profile and a greater focus on the industry,” he said.
“In seeking a replacement for Ross, we were looking for someone who could continue to assist in driving strategies that innovate, educate and advocate the sustainability of the Australian almond industry.”
Mr Jackson said he was “honoured” to be appointed and was looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for the industry.
