As the Director, I have overseen the management and technical direction of the FRI, FIRC and AFORA which includes strategic plan development, research partner development, funding opportunity development and industry and end-user engagement.

Oversee the management and technical direction of the university research centre. Responsible for strategic plan development, research partner development, engagement with industry/end-users and develop funding opportunities.

As a Professor, I lead research and have built and managed a strong industry-collaborative research programme for Australia in the area of forestry operations.

Oversee the management and technical direction of the university research institute. Responsible for strategic plan development, research partner development, engagement with industry/end-users and develop funding opportunities.

An independent non-executive director contributing to the leadership and governance of AFCA, who are engages with government, industry sectors and the community to represent the interests of our members. AFCA plays an important role in ensuring members, the forest industry and supply chain as well as governments aware of developments and the best practices for a sustainable industry and future.AFCA is currently working on a number of policy, industry and government initiatives in order to improve the operating environment and outcomes for our industry.In addition, AFCA works with our partners and industry stakeholders to improve business conditions, promote innovation and technology advancements and promote the value of forest contracting businesses.

The Therapeutic Gourmet recipes were originally a collaborative project between a professional chef and naturopath. Together they sought to create healthy granola products that would combine sublime flavours with natural medicine. The duo worked together to create a gluten free, low GI, high protein, delicious snack that not only tasted great but was quick and easy to prepare at any time of the day, perfect for our busy lifestyles. ​Now 100% owned and run on the Sunshine Coast by a team of passionate entrepreneurs, the Therapeutic Gourmet range is created with Australian sourced ingredients that are sustainable and are grown with no nasties. Roasted on the Sunshine Coast and distributed Australia-wide, this healthy and nutritious snack is available in small and bulk orders and is suitable for those wanting to fill their diet with a healthy option, that is quick, easy and satisfying. Suitable for use at cafes, restaurants, offices and at home, the Therapeutic Gourmet range has a flavour for all tastes and is ready to go for snacks, a wholesome breakfast, a healthy lunch on the run or to satisfy those evening cravings.

Filled a vacancy in the board on invitation.

Oversee the management and technical direction of the industry research alliance under the direction of the alliance management committee. Ensure deliverables are achieved and meet industry needs, ensure on going active engagement with industry and develop funding opportunities.

In these roles, I coordinated research activities focussed on improving industry productivity, including the optimisation of multi-rotational plantation management and supply chain planning; and managed the Harvesting and Operations research programme and industry engagement for CRC Forestry to ensure industry needs and expectations were met.Notably, I developed and implemented a strategic research plan for the CRC for Forestry Harvesting programme, leading a national industry consultation with over 75 per cent of the forest growers in Australia. This included developing a framework for six years of CRC research delivering 5-to-10 per cent cost saving and 1-to-5 per cent improved value recovery; and establishing the foundations for a renewed research programme post-CRC funding that was funded by industry for an additional five years.Key Achievements • Managed the strategic direction and daily operations of the CRC Forestry, Harvesting and Operations programme, including budgets, the strategic work plan, programme agreement, resource management, quality assurance and deliverables.• Developed and implemented an efficient technical research project report review process, effectively engaging industry end users in the review of over 30 technical reports while retaining academic robustness.• Partnered with the communications manager, to set strategic communication strategies ensuring research results were clearly articulated and transferred appropriately to industry. This included developing and implementing a technical reporting template to present research results in a concise and meaningful way.• Established and developed the role of industry engagement manager for the whole of the CRC for Forestry on the back of the industry engagement success of the Harvesting programme. This included creating and implementing industry reporting processes to communicate CRC results and validate impact.

I managed large-team research and implementation projects, developing and supporting major project proposals and securing key project funding centring on the exploration of alternative cost-saving transportation methods for the Canadian forest industry.I am particularly proud of designing, developing and testing a forest road maintenance system that delivered road maintenance cost savings of up to 33 per cent. The system was implemented by more than 80 per cent of the companies that managed their own road networks; and exported and adopted by industry in Australia and New Zealand. I also developed and implemented the first national research programme within FERIC, allowing for national coordination and leadership while meeting local industry partner needs and expectations.Key Achievements • Designed, developed and delivered the nationally recognised forest truck fuel efficiency programme funded and endorsed by Natural Resources Canada, the Commonwealth government department for natural resources and energy; and delivered to over 80 per cent of the industry with reported fuel savings of between 5 and 15 per cent.• Transitioned the transportation and roads research group from being 90 per cent internally funded to being over 80 per cent external competitive grant funding through the development of funding relationships with provincial and Commonwealth governments.• Designed the research nationalisation structure and approach that was subsequently used as the template for nationalising all research programmes.• Produced the costing and implementation models for a barge transportation system, delivering 10 per cent in cost savings; eliminating 18,000 truck trips per year; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 9,000 tonnes. • Won an SAE International Environmental Excellence in Transportation (E2T) Award 2004.

Provided key technical support to FERIC research staff. I also planned, implemented and managed research projects, field research activities, data collection, data validation, data analysis and project reporting.

Provided labor support in all sawmill undertakings, including maintenance, customer service, product sorting, forklift,delivery, edgerman, tallyman and planner mill operations.I also provided labor support in silviculture operations, including tree planting, helicopter ground crew, pre-commercial thinning block layout, and pre-commercial thinning supervision.