Our Team

The ABA is the peak industry body for the almond industry in Australia that facilitates the development of the industry, seeks to maximise the viability of stakeholders and ensure its sustainability.

Our Team

Tim Jackson

Chief Executive Officer

Tim Jackson has worked in the almond industry for almost 20 years and has lived in the nation’s first irrigation settlement, Renmark, for the past 32 years. Tim has extensive experience in domestic and international trade. He is a former ABA director and member of its Audit and Risk and Market Development committees. He is a former journalist and agri-business communications advisor who has lived and worked within the southern Murray–Darling Basin most of his life.

Deidre Jaensch

Industry Development Manager

Deidre joined the ABA in October 2019 as Industry Development Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and has worked in irrigated horticulture within the government, industry and private sectors for over 27 years. Deidre manages the research and development program working with growers, researchers, suppliers and service providers as well as industry collaborators to generate the knowledge, skills and technologies required to enhance industry’s competitiveness and further development in line with the almond industry strategic investment plan.

Ella Henson

Industry Development Officer – Sustainability

Ella Henson was appointed to the position of Industry Development Officer – Sustainability in May 2022. Ella completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) at Deakin University in Melbourne. Her role is to drive efforts to ensure that sustainability is integrated into best management practice and adopted by the industry. This involves identifying sustainability champions, disseminating good news stories, and collaborating with researchers and industry participants on relevant sustainability projects. Ella works closely with the Industry Development, Marketing, and Communications teams.

Joshua Fielke

Industry Development Officer

Josh was appointed in October 2015 as an Industry Development Officer. Josh has been involved in the horticulture industry since 2010 working with a variety of crops. Josh began as a farm hand at QFM Productions, and then completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of South Australia. During this three-year period he worked as a supervisor/farm hand at Cooinda Mixed Farm gaining experience in growing practices. Josh then gained a post-graduate job at the Mitolo Group as an agronomist. This role was based around nutrition, and pest and disease management.

Anthony Wachtel

Almond Centre Orchard Manager

Anthony joined the ABA to manage the 60 hectare experimental and demonstration orchard that is part of the Almond Centre of Excellence established at Loxton. Anthony has extensive experience in almond production working with Century Orchards as Assistant Farm Manager. His role requires him to work closely with researchers to ensure the specific management programs required for their trials are adhered to. He has also overseen the establishment of the orchard infrastructure to provide a world class facility that suits the conduct of current and future research. Anthony is a member of the ABA’s Industry Development team as the orchard will be a key part of extending best practice to producers.

Melissa Macfarlane

Almond Centre Assistant Orchard Manager

Melissa joined the ABA, in late 2021, to help manage the 60-hectare experimental and demonstration orchard, at Loxton. Melissa works closely with Orchard Manager Anthony Wachtel to ensure the specific management programs
required for trials happening at the orchard are adhered to. Melissa is a member of the ABA’s Industry Development team.

Joseph Ebbage

Contracted Consultant

Joseph is engaged by the ABA to manage the Almond Market Development Program. Based in Melbourne, Joseph has worked with the ABA since 2003 and is the principal of “Consumer Insights”, a market research and consultancy agency. Joseph works with industry marketers to promote almonds on the domestic market and build awareness of the Australian almond brand internationally.

Lou Martin

Marketing Officer

Louisa Martin was appointed to the position of Market Development Officer with the ABA in August 2019. Lou has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing (Business) from the University of South Australia. Her role at the ABA is to promote the consumption of almonds to Australians and educate consumers about the many health benefits of regularly eating almond products. This involves organizing and attending the ABA stand at food, health and fitness exhibitions throughout Australia, liaising with health and fitness professionals and working closely with various industry stakeholders to prepare materials promoting almond consumption. Lou is responsible for the ABA’s social media and digital platforms providing informative and interesting updates to our consumers and those that influence buying decisions.

Shannon Harkins

Finance & Business Manager

Shannon was appointed as Finance & Business Manager for the Almond Board of Australia in January 2011. Shannon holds a Diploma of Business and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Shannon’s role with the Almond Board of Australia sees his skills utilised for payroll, accounts payable and receivable, forecasting and budgeting, internal reporting, audit liaison, management of legal financial obligations, project financial management and acquittals and organisational management.

Kimberley Burden

Finance Officer

Kimberley joined the Almond Board of Australia as a Finance and Administrative officer in June 2022. She is currently undertaking her bachelors in Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Business Administration. Kimberley’s role with the Almond Board of Australia sees her use her experience in agricultural administration and accounting to support the team’s day to day and ever evolving needs.

Peter Jealous

Industry Development Officer

Peter Jealous was appointed to the position of Industry Development Officer (IDO) with the ABA in March 2023. Pete is currently studying a master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences (Horticultural Production and Plant Protection) through The University of Queensland. His responsibilities include working closely with almond growers and stakeholders, designing effective education programs, conducting research projects, providing technical support and staying informed about industry developments, among other duties.

Louisa Godden

Executive Assistant

Louisa Godden joined the ABA in June 2023 as Executive Assistant to the CEO. She has extensive management and administration experience in government service delivery running customer service offices throughout the State. Louisa has a trade in pre-press and advertising and qualifications in project management. She understands the challenges of agriculture having run a fruit block with her husband.