Meet the Agsafe Board
Brett Ryan
Retired
Brett Ryan joined Sumitomo Chemical Australia in 2009 and held various roles before his retirement, including managing the crop protection portfolio and leading the team responsible for Sumitomo Chemical’s range of conventional and BioRational products for Australian and New Zealand agriculture.
Mark Herron | Agsafe Chair
Chief Executive Officer | Australian Agribusiness
Mark is a highly accomplished Australian CPA and MBA-qualified CEO with extensive global and ANZ-focused experience. He excels in driving financial leadership, strategic innovation, and business growth, while fostering best practices and transformative change. He has over 10 years of experience in FMCG/Manufacturing and Agrichemicals sectors both internationally and within Australia. Mark’s ability to align cross-functional goals and quickly assess global stakeholders ensures the achievement of business objectives.
David Jochinke
Managing Director | AV Jochinke & Co
David is a third-generation farmer based in Victoria’s Wimmera region and Managing Director of AV Jochinke & Co, where he oversees broadacre cropping and livestock operations. He brings extensive experience in agricultural production, business management, and regional leadership. David has held senior leadership roles across the industry, including President of the National Farmers’ Federation and the Victorian Farmers Federation. He currently serves as a Director of Wimmera CMA and Chair of Grampians Tourism, contributing to regional development and sustainability.
Peter Lourey
Chief Operating Officer | AIRR
Peter is an accomplished executive with 34 years of experience in the agricultural and animal health sectors. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of AIRR, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic expertise. Peter's background includes extensive experience in integrated supply chains, sales, and marketing within the agricultural industry.
Lisa Minogue
Deputy Mayor | Bland Shire Council
Lisa is a passionate advocate for Australian agriculture with extensive non-executive director experience, focusing on corporate governance and risk management. She brings practical expertise in agricultural farming systems, farm business management and finance, and currently serves as Deputy Mayor of Bland Shire Council.
Tim Pepper
Procurement Manager | Synergy Seeds Australia
Tim's career encompasses a diverse array of roles within the seed industry, ranging from key accounts and trading to marketing and industry liaison. His dedication in fostering the future and sustainability of primary production has seen him actively engage in numerous industry and farmer groups, consistently showcasing his unwavering commitment to the advancement of the seed industry.
Andrew Watson
Winemaker | South by 37 Wines
Andrew retired from full-time executive work in 2023 following a distinguished career in the crop protection industry. He served for 15 years as Managing Director of AgNova Technologies. Prior to this, Andrew led the crop protection business for BASF across Australia and New Zealand. In addition to his corporate leadership experience, Andrew and his wife established South by 37 Wines in the Yarra Valley more than 20 years ago, producing small volumes of selected wine varieties.