THE BOARD
Dr Clive Noble
BAgrSci (Hons) PhD MAICD
Clive is the Chief of Science and Technology and leads the Office of Science, Technology and Commercialisation in DPI’s Agriculture Research and Development Group. Clive’s background is in research conduct, research and development management, corporate strategy and technology commercialisation. Clive joined the Board of AVS in 1998 and was appointed Chairman of the Company on 1 August 2008. Clive is also a director of AVS subsidiary entity Phytogene Pty Ltd and a director of MPB Pty Ltd, the commercial company of the CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding.
| Dr Graham Mitchell
RDA BVSc PhD FACVSc FTSE FAA AO
Following a successful career in medical research, Graham joined eminent colleagues Sir Gustav Nossal, Professor David Penington and Dr John Stocker in 1996 to form the science and technology advisory firm Foursight Associates Pty Ltd. Through Foursight Graham is engaged as a Chief Scientist to DPI. Graham joined the Board of AVS in 2000 and also holds a portfolio of directorships in emerging technology-based companies and foundations.
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Dr Bruce Kefford
BSc (Hons) PhD GMQ MAICD FIPAA MAIAST PSM
Bruce Kefford has been a member of the AVS Board since 1997 and was chairman of the company from 2000 to 2008. Bruce is Deputy Secretary, DPI Agriculture Research and Development, and has a background in research, management and policy development in the food and agriculture sector. Bruce is also a director of Dairy Futures CRC and the Biosciences Research Centre Pty Ltd. | Dr Judith Slocombe
BVSc MRCVS Post Grad Dip Mgt MBA FAICD FAIM
Judith was named the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the year in 2001 following the establishment and successful development of her own veterinary diagnostic company. Judith also has extensive public company experience in the executive management of medical and veterinary laboratory services and is currently CEO of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. Judith joined the Board on 1 August 2005, is a member of the AVS Audit and Risk Management Committee and also chairs the Board of subsidiary company Phytogene Pty Ltd.
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Kathryn Adams
B.Sc.Agr (Hons), LLM, M.Bus, M.Env.Stud, Prof Cert Arbitration, FAICD
Kathryn is an Agricultural Scientist and a lawyer. She has extensive experience in industry focussed R&D investment for agribusiness having held senior executive and Board positions in the public and private sectors, including CEO of 2 R&D Corporations and Director of the Queensland Horticulture Institute. She was the first Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights in Australia and an Executive Director with the Queensland EPA. After retiring she became a part-time Senior Research Fellow with the Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture (ACIPA) at Griffith University and is on a number of agribusiness Boards. | Tony Christianen
B Bus (Acc), Grad Dip Bus Admin, MAICD, FCPA, FAIM, SA Fin
Tony joined the Board on the 1 August 2011. Tony is a director of a consulting company having gained extensive expertise in financial management, systems development and implementation, business administration and accounting services for a wide range of business and government organisations. Tony also chairs the AVS Audit and Risk Management Committee.
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EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
Agriculture Victoria Services effectively provides a "portal" through which the department's technologies and capabilities can be taken to the market place via a means that maximises the economic benefit to Victoria. The executive and senior operational structure that has been developed recognises the unified goals of DPI and AVS and seeks to provide a seamless progression for a technology as it follows its route to market. AVS utilises the resources and expertise of DPI's Technology Commercialisation Group to deliver its suite of services.
Senior employees associated with the commercialisation process and their respective responsibilities are as follows:
Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Mr Bruce Lang - Chief Executive Officer
B Bus, Dip Ed, FCPA, MAICD
Bruce is responsible for planning and managing the business of AVS to ensure the company is positioned to provide an efficient and effective commercial route to market for DPI’s intellectual property. Bruce is also Company Secretary for subsidiary entity Phytogene Pty Ltd, and Director of related entities AgGenomics Pty Ltd and Gramina Pty Ltd.
| Mrs Melissa Jeal - Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
B Bus (Acc), CPA, CSA (Cert)
Melissa is responsible for developing and maintaining the company’s corporate governance and compliance, financial and risk management frameworks. In this role Melissa has oversight of the full range of corporate administration, financial and risk management systems. As part of her role Melissa is also the company’s Risk Manager.
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Department of Primary Industries - Technology Commercialisation Group
Mr David Liesegang - Director Technology Commercialisation
B Bus (Mkt), GAICD
David is responsible for directing and managing the protection, marketing and commercialisation of intellectual property arising from DPI’s Research Divisions. His experience includes the commercialisation of plant-based technologies and intellectual property and the management of public-private biosciences R&D collaborations.
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Dr Jim Parsons - Senior Commercialisation Manager
BVSc, MSc, PhD, GAICD
Jim is responsible for the business development and commercialisation of a range of technologies arising from DPI’s Biosciences Research Division. Dr Parsons has an extensive background in research and joined the commercialisation team in 1997. His focus is on plant and animal related technologies including forage plants. He is also a director of AVS related entity, Gramina Pty Ltd.
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Mr Andrew Grace - Senior Commercialisation Manager
B.App Sc (Agriculture), MBT, GAICD
Andrew works across DPI divisions with primary responsibility for marketing and commercialisation of intellectual property generated by the Future Farming Systems Research Division of DPI. He is responsible for managing a broad range of licences from pasture seeds to Livestock Tag & Trace and the Pasture Reader. Andrew has worked in the private and public sectors within the environmental and agricultural industries.
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Ms Jo Wells - Commercialisation Manager
BSc, MSc
Jo is responsible for the commercialisation of DPI-created intellectual property relating to plant genetics and varieties and is involved in the commercialisation of a number of technologies arising from the DPI’s Biosciences Research Division. Jo joined the commercialisation team in May 2010 from the University of Canterbury’s Research & Innovation where she was responsible for the management and commercialisation of the university’s intellectual property. Jo has a Master of Science Degree with a background in biochemistry and plant genetics.
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Mrs Jane Banovac - Commercialisation Manager
BSc, Hons
Jane is responsible for the commercialisation of DPI-created intellectual property and the ongoing management of licensed plant-based intellectual property. Jane joined the Technology Commercialisation Branch in August 2008 from the University of Western Australia’s Office of Industry and Innovation where she developed a broad range of experience in plant research and agribusiness. Jane is currently on maternity leave.
| Mr Mark Jablonski - Contracts Manager
B Eng, Grad Dip IP Law
Mark provides advice, contract development and contract negotiation services to support the company’s commercialisation activities. He has a background of many years’ experience in contract formation and negotiation in the public, private and university sectors. | |
Dr Ian McCauley - Intellectual Property Officer
BSc, PhD
Ian is responsible for administering the Company's intellectual property portfolio including patents, plant breeder's rights and trademark registrations. Ian has an extensive background as a research scientist.
| Elisse Buchlak - Assistant Intellectual Property and Contracts Officer
LLB, BSc
Elisse is responsible for providing support to the Intellectual Property Officer and the Contracts Manager. | |
Terina Ogden - Executive Assistant (Office Manager)
Dip Bus
Terina is responsible for providing administrative support to the Commercialisation Managers and the overall efficient operations of the office.
| Rosalba Camera - Personal Assistant
Dip Frontline Management; Cert IV Assessment and Workplace Training
Rosalba is responsible for providing administrative support to the Director Technology Commercialisation; the Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd (AVS) Chief Executive Officer and the AVS Company Secretary. |
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