Peter was appointed as the ABA independent Chairperson in February 2020. Peter has extensive experience across education and training, R&D investment and management, viticultural operations, the irrigation sector and government and industry affairs. Peter operates as an independent Wine Industry Strategist and Advisor with activity in Australia, India and the UK. He is also Business Editor of the International Journal of Wine Economics and Policy.
Peter holds a Diploma in Agriculture and has been involved in the Almond Industry since 1973, when the family bought an almond orchard at Angle Vale. He has also been involved in the cut flower industry where growing and marketing were his main responsibilities and he was a director of the Adelaide Flower Market. In 1999 Peter developed an almond orchard with the family at Angle Vale and in 2002 seeing the scope of the industry he became involved in developing an almond orchard at Walker Flat of which he is now General Manager. Peter is a Chairman of the Production Committee and a member of the Plant Improvement Committee.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business Degree and is currently the General Manager of Indian Ocean Farms, which includes three properties in Western Australia. Stephen joined the almond industry in 2019 after spending six years with the Berry Division of the Costa Group, as Regional Manager Tasmania and Regional Manager Western Australia. Prior to this Stephen was Operations Manager of the Sumich Olive Oil Division in Western Australia for 10 years. Stephen is a past Chairman, Treasurer and Director of two local Community Banks and has been involved with numerous industry and community groups, including Industry Advisory Committees. Stephen is a member of the ABA Production Committee, Conference Committee, a proxy member of the Audit Committee and the current Chair of the ABA Chemical Taskforce.
Neale has been involved with almonds since converting his family farm from vines in 1992. Neale also operates a contract almond harvesting business, Cowanna Harvesting. Neale has filled the roles of Chairman and Sunraysia Region Grower Representative on the ABA Board as well as Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman of the Sunraysia region of the Australian Almond Growers’ Association (AAGA). Neale’s committee positions include Chair of both the Remuneration Committee and Conference Committees and represents the ABA at Horticulture Innovation Australia.
James completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) degree, graduating in 2003 before returning to the family farming business in a formal capacity. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the production of a wide range of fruits, vegetables and grains, both irrigated and dryland. James commenced his involvement in the Australian Almond Industry with the development of an almond orchard in the Riverina region during 2006 where his past farming experience proved invaluable. In 2013, James was the recipient of the Phil Watters Award which recognises excellence and service to the Australian Almond Industry.
Darren is Managing Director of Minter Magic, a large almond, asparagus and citrus property situated in lraak, Victoria. Darren is a major shareholder in the Red Cliffs Almond Growers Co-op, started in 1985. He is also member of the Australian Asparagus Council and a member of Citrus Australia. Darren holds a Diploma of Production Horticulture and was the VFF Victorian Apprentice of the year in 1988 (Fruit Section). Darren is a member of the Plant Improvement, Water, and Conference Committees.
Brendan Sidhu is CEO of Century Orchards, a large almond orchard based in the Riverland, South Australia and Managing Director of Laragon Almond Processors based at Lindsay Point in Victoria. Brendan has been involved in the Australian almond industry since 1983, holding positions as both Secretary and Chair of the Riverland region of the Australian Almond Growers’ Association (AAGA). In 2007, Brendan was appointed to the ABA Board, holding the position of Chairman from 2009 – 2012. He is the Chair of the Market Development and Almond Centre of Excellence Committees and is a member of the Remuneration, and Conference Committees. Brendan is Chair of the Australian Nut Industry Council (ANIC). He is a member of Hort Innovation’s Almond Strategic Industry Advisory Panel. Brendan holds an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Luke grew up on his family’s almond and broadacre farm near Renmark in South Australia and is now Managing Director of Cannonball Almonds. He oversees the operations and development of the Almond and Broadacre enterprises at Bunyip Reach. In 2009 Luke completed a Bachelor of Science (Petroleum Geology) degree from Adelaide University and worked internationally as an Engineer in the Oil Industry before returning home in 2014. Since returning home Luke has developed Cannonball Almonds which is planted with 75% Australian National Almond Breeding Program varieties. Luke also sits on the South Australian Murray Irrigators Committee.
Daisy is part of the team at Cavaso Farming at Darlington Point where they grow cotton, wheat, prunes, almonds and run beef cattle. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and grew up on a small grazing property at Cowra. Daisy was appointed to the ABA board in late 2023, after a second Riverina grower representative position was created due to the growth in almond production in the region.
Nigel is CEO of Nut Producers Australia. Having previously been General Manager Operations with responsibility for managing NPA’s Export Sales and Marketing activities and Group Operations spanning both almonds and pistachios. He has been with NPA for 12 years, following an extensive Agri marketing, operations and management career in Tasmania. Nigel’s qualifications include an MBA and GAICD.
Damien is the Executive General Manager of Olam Orchards Australia. Damien has the responsibility of overseeing almond operations for Olam in Australia. This has included building a team to manage the orchards exclusively from 2012, the building of the new almond processing facility and the global marketing of Olam almonds from the Australian orchards. In addition to this role in Australia Damien is also a member of the Olam International Edible Nuts Management Committee which includes the global cashew and peanut businesses. Damien is a member of the Market Development, Audit, Remuneration, and Conference Committees.
Paul Stewart is Group Sales and Marketing Manager of Almondco Australia Ltd where he has responsibility for the strategic direction of the sales team and sale
of Almondco’s annual intake. Paul joined Almondco in January 2022 and has over 40 years’ experience in Horticultural and Agribusiness organisations, primarily
based in SA’s Riverland region. Beginning his career in Finance and Administration with Berri Fruit Juices, which then restructured into Berrivale Orchards Ltd, he moved into Operations. He later performed the Group Operations role for Riverland Fruit Co-op and then became CEO of Sunnyland Fruits Pty Ltd. A Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants he has served on the board of Sunbeam Foods.