Our Team

Tim Jackson

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.

Nick Baker

Nick joined the ABA in July 2024.  He has lived in the Riverland of South Australia with his family since 1993.  Nick is a chartered accountant with broad experience having worked for state government, in public practice accounting and in the private sector.  Nick and his family have a small avocado orchard and he has been involved with the horticulture sector for thirty years.

As the Finance and Business Manager at the Almond Board of Australia, Nick is responsible for financial management, tax compliance, risk management and a range of other administrative functions.

Kimberley Burden Payne

Kimberley has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and extensive background in finance. She reviews and analyses ABA core business to develop initiatives and strategies that will optimise organisational performance, through identification of revenue opportunities and cultivating stakeholder relationships. By using a data-informed approach to expanding the ABA’s reputation as a leading peak industry body, this role bridges data-driven decision making and business acumen, ensuring data integrity while turning insights into actionable initiatives that align with the Almond Board of Australia’s long-term goals.

Tom Cooper

Tom joined the ABA in September 2024. The former professional cricketer has travelled the world playing sport and will continue flying overseas in his new role, supporting trade missions under the Australian Almonds banner. In his first few months in the role, Tom visited four processing facilities and enjoyed meeting delegates at the Australian Almond Conference. When Tom isn’t working you’ll find him spending time with his wife and young children.

Anna Eadie

Anna was appointed assistant manager at the Almond Centre of Excellence (ACE) in 2024, but she’s worked at the Loxton orchard in a casual capacity since 2017 and witnessed the transformation of the 60 hectare property.

Anna grew up in Wellington, New Zealand and was introduced to the almond industry as a backpacker 11 years ago.

She works closely with ACE manager Anthony Wachtel to oversee the day to day running of the farm.

Joshua Fielke

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.

Ella Henson

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.

Kellie Hollingworth

Kellie joined the ABA in September 2023. She has a background in journalism, having worked for the ABC in Mildura for 15 years. Kellie has a Bachelor of Arts (Public Relations) from Deakin University. She manages the ABA’s communications program including the In a Nutshell publication, the monthly e-newsletter Almond Bytes, social media and is part of the team that updates the website and industry database.

Deidre Jaensch

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.

Peter Jealous

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.

Di Schultz

Diane joined the Almond Board of Australia as an Administration Officer in late September 2024. Growing up on a horticulture property in the Riverland, Diane developed a strong foundation in the horticulture industry from an early age. Her career spans extensive experience in finance and administration across State Government, Local Government, and the private sector. Diane’s diverse background and understanding of horticulture make her a valuable asset to the team.

Anthony Wachtel

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.