New Chairman for Food Hawke’s Bay

New Chairman for Food Hawke’s Bay

2nd July 2013

Mr Phil Pollett, Managing Director of Goodtime Foods, has been elected Chairman of Food Hawkes Bay Inc. The election on Tuesday at the first board meeting followed the annual general meeting on June 19th.

Phil has been managing director of Goodtime Foods for the last 35 years and a Food Hawkes Bay board member for the past 5 years. Of his appointment as chairman Pollett says “It’s a really exciting time to be back at the helm of Food Hawke’s Bay, we have some very exciting projects ahead and I believe we have strength around our board table who bring a new perspective, drive, enthusiasm and passion for food in Hawke’s Bay. I am really looking forward to working with them.”

At the annual general meeting the following members were appointed to the Board for 2013/2014:

Maureen Startup, Marketing Manager & Founding Shareholder, The Village Press Ltd – Maureen, along with husband Wayne started The Village Press Ltd some 14 years ago and for the past 11 years have been involved in the marketing of the company. Maureen has previously been on the Board of Food Hawkes Bay and was last year re-appointed on the Farmers’ Market Committee. The Village Press has promoted Hawkes Bay products to the regions at foodshows as well as the Farmers Market & this experience has enabled Maureen to appreciate several aspects of what works (and doesn’t), including the interaction of different market segments and how they may assist growth.

Mark Jones, Owner / Operator of Tapairu Valley Free Range. Mark is an ex-dairy farmer & agricultural contractor & machinery mechanic. He sees his farming experience as invaluable in implementing sustainable farming of freerange animals & produces free-range pork under the brand name PigOut. His involvement with the Farmers Market has led to an increasing interest in the end market for products grown in Hawkes Bay.

Paul Hyslop, Brand Ambassador, Simply Squeezed, has worked for the past ten years in key senior roles with Simply Squeezed. Paul has a strong knowledge and understanding of Hospitality industry and skills in building a business from start up to market entry. Paul is a very goal orientated person, embraces change and has the ability to add value to business to business solution.

Returning Board members are:

Rebecca Klee, Technical Sales Manager at CSI Foods, brings a strong technical knowledge of the issues encountered within the food industry as well as a passion to help develop & showcase produce within the Hawkes Bay region.

Mal McLennan, Shareholder & Manager, Maimai Creek Wines, has been heavily involved in the wine industry since 1994 & held posts as chairman or president of several grape grower organisations & is currently the Chair of the Industry Sustainability Committee. Mal believes a strong, vibrant food & wine industry in Hawkes Bay is an integral part of our overall Tourism strategy.

Rome Smith, Managing Director, Flavour an advertising agency specialising in the food & beverage sector. Rome is extremely passionate about the primary sector in New Zealand & has extensive experience in helping food & beverage companies become very successful & in helping the sector to continue to grow in this region.

The AGM committee gave thanks to outgoing Chairman John Mc Hardy and committee member Gerry Townsend for their long service to the FHB Board. The Hawkes Bay Farmers Market committee for the 2013/14 year was ratified and consists of: Jonelle Jarvis, Bay Espresso; Kelvin Speirs, Zoe’s Garden; David Mardon, Pernel Fruitworld; Maureen Startup, The Village Press; Marion Hirst, Bay Blueberries; and Mark Jones, Tapairu Free Range.

The chairman of the Hawkes Bay Farmers Market committee, Kelvin Speirs, thanked outgoing committee members Ant Williams and Joanie Williams for their service to the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market committee.

ENDS

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