THE GRAINS Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is on the hunt for senior executives following the retirement of two high ranking officials.
Deputy chief executive of the organisation Steve Thomas and general manager of applied research and development Brondwen MacLean both announced their retirements recently and will exit the organisation in coming months, leading to a shake-up of the group's senior management team.
Dr Thomas joined the GRDC in 2009 and has played a key role in the organisation's strategic direction, including a concerted push to focus on grower profitability.
Prior to the GRDC, Dr Thomas worked with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) at Orange.
Ms MacLean spent over 20 years with the GRDC in a variety of roles.
In her applied R&D role Ms MacLean was responsible for managing GRDC's applied research, development and extension investments.
Both roles were based at GRDC headquarters in Canberra.
It is unknown when replacements will be appointed.
Gregor Heard
Gregor Heard is ACM's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his 15 years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector.
Gregor Heard is ACM's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his 15 years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector.
