Rowena Bell

[BSc Veterinary Biology, Murdoch University 1981; B Vet Medicine and Surgery, Murdoch University 1984; M App Sc, Agriculture and Rural Development, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury 1995]

Rowena began her professional career working as a rural private veterinary practitioner in Tasmania. Rowena was senior policy officer with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association between 1994-1997. After completing her Masters degree, Rowena worked with Dr Sue Kilpatrick at the University of Tasmania, undertaking research into sustainable rural communities, social capital and group learning. Rowena was Executive Officer for the Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group – which represents primary, secondary and service sector organisations in Tasmania – between 2006-2008.

Rowena has held a number of Board Directorships in both the private and public sector. She was the Chair of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council from 2003-2006; a member of the Tasmanian Women s Advisory Council between 2006-2008, and a Director of a large dairy/cropping property in the Fingal Valley from 1996-2003. Rowena's key skills lie in the areas of: building service brokering networks, communication, adult learning, researching, report writing, project development, and industry driven livestock disease control programs.

Nick Burrows

[BCom FCIS CA FFin MAICD FTIA]

Nick's 30 year professional career has most recently included a 21 year stint performing the dual role of Company Secretary and CFO of the aquaculture agribusiness / manufacturing ASX listed entity Tassal Group Limited – the largest Atlantic salmon aquaculture company in Australia.

Nick performed a wide-ranging role, not simply the traditional "vanilla" company secretarial and CFO role. His experience embraces a broad spectrum, encompassing all aspects of Board and Executive corporate governance, strategic planning and monitoring, company secretarial, corporate treasury and finance (including forex), legal and contract management / negotiation, corporate taxation, research and development administration, corporate planning and strategy, investment evaluation and business case assessments, mergers and acquisitions due diligence, debt and equity raisings and capital structure management, investor relations, Information Technology, change management, industrial relations and human resources.

Prior to Tassal, Nick worked for a variety of Chartered Accounting firms including Coopers and Lybrand, specialising in company audit, taxation, small business consultancy and related advisory areas.

Nick is a Tasmanian-based Commerce graduate of University of Tasmania (1980), a Fellow of both Financial Services Institute of Australasia and Chartered Secretaries Australia, a Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent, Registered Company Auditor and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Nick is also currently:

• Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee of VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd;
• Independent Non-Executive Director of Tasmanian Quality Assured Inc.;
• Independent External Member of the Audit Committee of Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment;
• Member of the National Legislative Review Committee of Chartered Secretaries Australia (“CSA”) as well as the Tasmanian Branch Council;
• Member of ASIC Regional Liaison Committee, Tasmania;
• Tasmanian consultative representative for Value Adviser Associates;
• Providing consultancy and commercial advisory / business restructuring and diagnostic advice in the aquaculture industry.

Kiros Hiruy

[B SC Agri. Alemaya University, Ethiopia 1988; Dip. Dairy Husbandry and Milk Processing, the Netherlands 1994; M Env. Mgnt UTAS 2009; Dip Project Management Tasmanian Skills Institute 2010; PhD Candidate Regional Development, UTAS Current]

Kiros has extensive experience in project development and management both here in Australia and abroad. His work in Africa spans from teaching at a tertiary institute to working with rural communities in the areas of food security, sustainable farming and natural resource management for over 10 years. Kiros is also a trained practitioner in participatory methods including Participatory Learning Methods and Farmers' Participator Research.

Since his arrival in Hobart, Kiros has been involved in project development and management work and community development work both in the community sector and the public service. Kiros brings valuable skill sets to the RDS team including, Farmers Participatory Research, strategic development, project management, community empowerment and engagement, and other social research skills.

He has a successful track record in working cooperatively with community groups including Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, government, industry and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable solutions.

Sue Hinton

[BAppSc (Horticultural Technology), UQ 1983; Grad Dip Professional Management, UTas 1994; Grad Dip Agricultural Economics, UNE 1998; M Economics, UNE 2002]

Sue is an experienced agronomist with broad understanding and expertise in the agricultural sector. A key area of specialisation is in irrigation scheduling and soil management. Other areas of experience are in crop agronomy, integrated crop management, soil and crop water use, irrigation scheduling, training delivery and research and development. Sue is passionate about resource economics and sustainable agriculture; particularly regarding sustainable water use in our agricultural industries.