John Schnackenberg - BCom, CA

Chairman Avocado Industry Council & Avocado Growers Association

Elected to the AGA in 2004 as an 'At Large Representative', John also sits on the Finance Committee and chairs the Communications & Information strategy group. He moved with his family in 1999 to an established avocado orchard in Katikati, Bay of Plenty. jschnack@ihug.co.nz Ph: 021 731 437

Alan Thorn - MS, MBA

CEO Avocado Growers Association & Industry Council

Alan joined the industry in 2006 from an extensive background in forest research. He has brought a business focus to the AIC and has been instrumental in developing the strategic and business direction for the industry. Alan is passionate about building relationships between growers, stakeholders, industry partners, government agencies and staff to deliver the industry vision. Email: alanthorn@nzavocado.co.nz Ph: 021 343 576

Tony Ponder

AIC Vice Chairman & AGA At Large Representative

Tony has been a Director and Vice Chairman of the AIC since 2005. He also chairs the ‘Market Reliability and Supply committee’ and is a member of the EMS, Grade standards, Promotions and Finance committees. tony@southernproduce.co.nz Ph: 0274 733 712

Roger Barber

AIC Director & AGA Vice Chairman & At large Representative

Although an avocado grower for just 12 years, Roger has had active involvement in the industry for nearly 30 years, holding significant agricultural and Horticultural Science research posts within New Zealand. Roger is an 'At Large Representative' based in Whangarei. He represented NZ at the World Avocado Congress in Spain 2003 and in Chile in 2007. barbers@ihug.co.nz Ph: 09 435 0785

John Carroll

AIC Exporter Director

John has been an exporter of avocados since 1989 and joined the Avocado Industry Council in 1996. He chairs the councils’ export committee (AVEC) which considers industry crop flow, market monitoring, EMS and post harvest issues. He is also director of Primor Produce, an Auckland based distributor and exporter of fresh produce to global markets. Email: johnc@primor.co.nz Ph: 0274 959 388

Mike Eagles

AGA Mid North Representative

An avocado grower in Maungatapere since 1999, Mike was elected to the AGA as the Mid North representative in 2003. He has also served on the AvoGreen, the Export Marketing Strategy and the Domestic Promotions sub committees. m.eagles@xtra.nz ph: 09 434 7271

Ian Broadhurst

AGA Far North Representative

Ian has been a grower of avocados in the Far North since 1985 and has recently formed a partnership developing large orchard projects in the Far North. Elected in 2006, Ian is a representative for the Far North and is also involved with the Avocado Domestic Promotions & Grade Standards Committee. bernian@xtra.co.nz Ph: 09 406 7308

Ashby Whitehead

AGA At Large Representative

Following many years in the engineering industry, Ashby along with his wife Linda, purchased an orchard in Te Puke in1991 converting half to avocados in 1996. He has been on the Avocado Growers Association Executive representing Bay of Plenty since 2006. Ashby sits on the Finance committee and on various Research & Development Production groups dealing with new cultivars, crop estimation and library trays. alwhitehead@xtra.co.nz ph 027 28 321 92

Andrew Darling

AVEC Representative AIC Director

Andrew is an orchard owner and MD of South Auckland Pack and Cool Ltd. He also sits on the Policy Review Committee and the Market Reliability Strategy Group and has a keen interest in market access and development.
andrew@globalfresh.co.nz Ph: 021 497 666

David French

Rest of New Zealand Representative

David has been an AGA rep since July 2008 but has been involved in the horticultural industry most of his workiong life. He manages two glenbrook properties for his family company, producing kiwifruit and avocados. David also owns an avocado orchard at Bombay and runs an orchard contracting business servicing avocado, kiwifruit and lemon growers in South Auckland. Recently he has become a partner in a Hydralada hire company. famille@ps.gen.nz Ph: 0274 375 315