Pictured in header image - PIEFA Board of Directors 2023: Mark Napper, Simon Livingstone, Leanne Kruss, Sarah Thompson, Cameron Archer, Barry Wallett, Keith Pengilley.
Dr Cameron Archer PSM AM Chair | Appointed 09/09/2008
Dr Archer is a leading agricultural educator and former Principal of Tocal College (NSW Department of Primary Industries), former Conjoint Professor, University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, and holds several Board positions including Chair, Dungog Regional Tourism Inc.; Member, CB Alexander Foundation and Trustee, Australian Wool Education Trust and is involved in a number of local organisations. He was a former Chair, Belgenny Farm Trust; Board Member, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation and a Board Member Regional Development Australia-Hunter. In 2013 Dr Archer was awarded a medal (AM) in the Order of Australia for services to agricultural education and heritage conservation.
Dr Archer is a leading agricultural educator and former Principal of Tocal College (NSW Department of Primary Industries), former Conjoint Professor, University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, and holds several Board positions including Chair, Dungog Regional Tourism Inc.; Member, CB Alexander Foundation and Trustee, Australian Wool Education Trust and is involved in a number of local organisations. He was a former Chair, Belgenny Farm Trust; Board Member, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation and a Board Member Regional Development Australia-Hunter. In 2013 Dr Archer was awarded a medal (AM) in the Order of Australia for services to agricultural education and heritage conservation.
Sarah Thompson | Appointed 26/10/2015
Mrs Thompson has a background in primary industries and community health. Sarah and her family have run a mixed farming enterprise in the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW for 40 years. She has held numerous elective representative positions within the NSW state farming organisation, NSW Farmers, and is currently an elected representative on their Executive Council and a member of the Rural Affairs Policy Area. In her positions within NSW Farmers, Mrs Thompson played an advocacy role supporting the initiative to establish Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia and continues to be a key advocate of the need for primary industries-based content and contexts across the curriculum, to enable future generations to understand where and how our food is produced.
Mrs Thompson has a background in primary industries and community health. Sarah and her family have run a mixed farming enterprise in the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW for 40 years. She has held numerous elective representative positions within the NSW state farming organisation, NSW Farmers, and is currently an elected representative on their Executive Council and a member of the Rural Affairs Policy Area. In her positions within NSW Farmers, Mrs Thompson played an advocacy role supporting the initiative to establish Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia and continues to be a key advocate of the need for primary industries-based content and contexts across the curriculum, to enable future generations to understand where and how our food is produced.
Keith Pengilley | Appointed 29/10/2018
Keith has an extensive background in large scale family and corporate grains and livestock production in northern NSW and Tasmania. His interests lie along the entire agricultural supply chain from research and development through to marketing and international exports. Currently based in Tamworth, NSW as Regional Manager for NSW Department of Primary Industries. Prior to this role Keith spent over 7 years on the GRDC Southern Panel and 5 of those as chair.
Keith has an extensive background in large scale family and corporate grains and livestock production in northern NSW and Tasmania. His interests lie along the entire agricultural supply chain from research and development through to marketing and international exports. Currently based in Tamworth, NSW as Regional Manager for NSW Department of Primary Industries. Prior to this role Keith spent over 7 years on the GRDC Southern Panel and 5 of those as chair.
Dr Simon Livingstone | Appointed 22/11/2021
Dr Livingstone has worked for 28 years in the vocation and higher education sectors. His most recent employment was 19 years as Principal of Marcus Oldham College. Marcus Oldham attracts students who study tertiary courses in agriculture, agribusiness and equine management. He has held senior positions at agricultural colleges in both Queensland and Victoria. Dr Livingstone's PhD is in higher education and he holds degrees in School Management, Further Education & Training, Business and Agriculture. He has served on the Victorian Higher Education Advisory Committee and is a past Board Member of Independent Higher Education Australia. His early years included working for eight years on large cattle stations in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Dr Livingstone has worked for 28 years in the vocation and higher education sectors. His most recent employment was 19 years as Principal of Marcus Oldham College. Marcus Oldham attracts students who study tertiary courses in agriculture, agribusiness and equine management. He has held senior positions at agricultural colleges in both Queensland and Victoria. Dr Livingstone's PhD is in higher education and he holds degrees in School Management, Further Education & Training, Business and Agriculture. He has served on the Victorian Higher Education Advisory Committee and is a past Board Member of Independent Higher Education Australia. His early years included working for eight years on large cattle stations in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Mark Napper BA, MBA, GAICD, FCPA, FIML | Appointed 22/11/2021
Mark has 30+ years experience in Australian Agribusiness. Mark owns and operates a Business Advisory firm specialising in building value in food and agriculture businesses. He has extensive experience within the horticulture industry, which until October 2020, included owning a fruit orchard in Bangalow NSW. Mark brings his skills and experience from roles as: previous Deputy Chair, Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd (2015-2018); Managing Director, Australian Horticulture Corporation (1997 – 2001); CEO and Director, Windsor Farm Foods Group Ltd (2005 – 2011). In 2015 he co-chaired the Horticulture Code of Conduct Review. Mark is the current Chair at Santos Organics Ltd; Chair at Australian Hemp Masonry Company; Director at AUSVEG Ltd; Director at Australian Macadamia Society and, Chair at Northern Rivers Food Forum.
Mark has 30+ years experience in Australian Agribusiness. Mark owns and operates a Business Advisory firm specialising in building value in food and agriculture businesses. He has extensive experience within the horticulture industry, which until October 2020, included owning a fruit orchard in Bangalow NSW. Mark brings his skills and experience from roles as: previous Deputy Chair, Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd (2015-2018); Managing Director, Australian Horticulture Corporation (1997 – 2001); CEO and Director, Windsor Farm Foods Group Ltd (2005 – 2011). In 2015 he co-chaired the Horticulture Code of Conduct Review. Mark is the current Chair at Santos Organics Ltd; Chair at Australian Hemp Masonry Company; Director at AUSVEG Ltd; Director at Australian Macadamia Society and, Chair at Northern Rivers Food Forum.
Barry Wallett | Appointed 1/3/2021
Barry Wallett has been engaged with the education sector since 2001 and is currently an education consultant and government and media relations adviser based in Canberra. He was previously Executive Director (2018-20) and Deputy Executive Director (from 2009) of the Independent Schools Council of Australia; Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Industry Training and Employment Association (CITEA); General Manager for Australian National University’s ANU College, and Divisional Manager for the ANU Education Centre.
Barry Wallett has been engaged with the education sector since 2001 and is currently an education consultant and government and media relations adviser based in Canberra. He was previously Executive Director (2018-20) and Deputy Executive Director (from 2009) of the Independent Schools Council of Australia; Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Industry Training and Employment Association (CITEA); General Manager for Australian National University’s ANU College, and Divisional Manager for the ANU Education Centre.
Leanne Kruss | Appointed 22/11/2021
Leanne owns and manages a large family livestock enterprise in Far North Queensland and is the manager of Agricultural Workforce Development for FNQ. Leanne brings 35+ years’ experience in agribusiness, and having spearheaded several initiatives that encourage students to become part of tomorrow’s agricultural workforce, her work has strengthened local enterprise and regional economies. Additionally, Leanne is involved in the QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries ‘Agriculture Gateway Industry to Schools’ program, which helps young people transition from school into further education and/or employment in agriculture related industries.
Leanne owns and manages a large family livestock enterprise in Far North Queensland and is the manager of Agricultural Workforce Development for FNQ. Leanne brings 35+ years’ experience in agribusiness, and having spearheaded several initiatives that encourage students to become part of tomorrow’s agricultural workforce, her work has strengthened local enterprise and regional economies. Additionally, Leanne is involved in the QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries ‘Agriculture Gateway Industry to Schools’ program, which helps young people transition from school into further education and/or employment in agriculture related industries.
