Tom Lewis

[BSc(Hons), UTas 1984; MSc, UTas 1991; PhD UTas 2001; FAICD; MAIFST]

Tom is a Director and CEO of Rural Development Services, with over 20 years experience in the agri-food industry, having held senior positions in commercial (Tasmanian Univalve; SALTAS; Rural Development Services) and academic (Australian Food Safety Centre of Excellence) organisations. Key responsibilities have ranged from research and technical design and development to organisational management and strategy. Tom serves on a number of professional bodies within his Tasmanian and national communities – including the Tasmanian Fisheries Research Advisory Board, the Tasmanian Aquaculture Council, the Tasmanian Business Sustainability Round Table and the Board of Rural Alive and Well Inc.

In addition to his internal CEO and business development duties for Rural Development Services, Tom manages and works in projects in such areas as strategic planning, facilitation, leadership training and provision of Executive Officer services to peak industry organisations.

A key motivator for Tom is his commitment to developing sustainable competitive advantage for client and partner organisations through focus on the people involved in each project. Tom has a strong track record in project design, management and delivery, as well as in preparing successful funding proposals across a number of jurisdictions.

David Fulton

[B Ag Sci, UTas; PhD, UTas 2001; MAIAST]

David founded Rural Development Services in 1991, along with his late wife Dr Amabel Fulton. David is a Director and General Manager of the company and is based in Hobart with his three children. David’s PhD studies in pyrethrum seed production and agronomy preceded his work as a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Tasmania on seed production and seed quality for the vegetable and forest industries.

Before entering university studies, David worked as field researcher in the vegetable and pyrethrum industries on the NW coast of Tasmania.

David has a long standing interest in new industry development, specifically around business and human development. He has expertise in Agronomic research, project design, project and people management, and facilitation. His current role draws his attention to project design and personnel management.

David undertakes a lead role in design of leadership and other capacity building projects undertaken by Rural Development Services and has also been a leader in design and delivery of our property management planning modules and workshops.

Carla Mooney

[BA, UNSW 1990; M Environmental Planning, Macquarie U 1996; M Natural Resources Law, UWollongong 2000; PhD, UWollongong 2005]

Carla is a Senior Consultant with Rural Development Services with over 20 years experience in applied social research, planning and policy analysis in the area of natural resource management and agriculture. This experience has been gained in the academic sector (University of Wollongong, Griffith University) and the public sector (NSW Department of Planning, Bureau of Rural Sciences).

Carla has experience in and knowledge of social research methods, public consultation processes, project management and interdisciplinary research. She is a qualified strategic planner and has undertaken a diversity of social research projects in the agriculture sector. She has particular experience in natural resource planning: in particular water allocation planning.

Don Defenderfer

[BA Environmental Studies (Hons), UCalifornia Santa Cruz 1981; Dip Ed, Murdoch U 1984; M App Sci Social Ecology, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury 1995]

Don is a Senior Consultant with Rural Development Services and is based at the Rural Development Services’ office inLaunceston. Don has extensive experience in working with rural communities, having worked in the areas of Landcare, sustainable farming and natural resource management for the past 15 years.

Most recently Don was based at the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association where he was employed from 2004-2008 by the Federal Government as State Landcare Coordinator for Tasmania. Don was also Executive Officer for the community-based Tasmanian Landcare Association from 1995-2002.

Don's career has focused on the social approaches that are needed to address complex natural resource management issues. He has a successful track record in working cooperatively with community groups, government, industry and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable solutions.

Don works in the following areas within Rural Development Services: project development, management and implementation; community, industry and government engagement; social research and facilitation. Don s key skills lie in the areas of: communication, networking, capacity building, facilitation, project development, management and implementation; report writing; natural resource management; media liaison; committee representation and lobbying.

Sue Hinton

[BAppSc (Horticultural Technology), UQ 1983; Grad Dip Professional Management, UTas 1994; Grad Dip Agricultural Economics, UNE 1998; M Economics, UNE 2002]

Sue is a consultant with Rural Development Services based in Launceston. Sue is an experienced agronomist with broad understanding and expertise in the agricultural sector. A key area of specialisation is in irrigation scheduling and soil management. Other areas of experience are in crop agronomy, integrated crop management, soil and crop water use, irrigation scheduling, training delivery and research and development. Sue is passionate about resource economics and sustainable agriculture; particularly regarding sustainable water use in our agricultural industries

Donna Lucas

[BAppSc(Agr)(Hons), UTas 2007; AssDipBus(Acc), Hobart Institute of TAFE 1993; MAIAST]

Donna is a Project Manager for several projects in the area of industry development and people development, particularly in horticultural industries; Donna is also responsible for business development within Rural Development Services. Donna has experience in and knowledge of rural business management, project management and scientific research with skills spanning both business and technical (agriculture/horticulture) areas.

Donna is interested in the sustainable development of agriculture, and in particular, increasing the global competitiveness of Tasmanian agriculture. Donna s key skills include project management, evaluation, business management, training and facilitation, business development, scientific research and report writing.

Jodie Presnell

[Dip Project Management, Tasmanian Skills Institute 2009; M SocSc (International Development, RMIT 2005), B Sc (Agriculture, UNSW 1997)]

Jodie is a Project Manager with Rural Development Services with a particular interest in rural social research and rural community development. This interest grew from her work abroad in food security and agri-development projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan and North Korea. Jodie joined the Rural Development Services team at the beginning of 2007 and primarily has worked on Property Management Planning projects. Jodie's strength is not being a specialist but having a broad level understanding of issues facing rural Australia.

Jodie enjoys working one-to-one with farmers and working on the personal issues of their farming business. Jodie is on maternity leave, looking after baby Linn, and will return to her desk in April 2010.

Rowena Bell

[BSc Veterinary Biology, Murdoch University 1981; B Vet Medicine and Surgery, Murdoch University 1984; M App Sc, Agriculture and Rural Development, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury 1995]

Rowena is a Project Manager with Rural Development Services and is based at our branch office in Launceston. Rowena began her professional career working as a rural private veterinary practitioner in Tasmania. Rowena was senior policy officer with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association between 1994-1997. After completing her Masters degree, Rowena worked with Dr Sue Kilpatrick at the University of Tasmania, undertaking research into sustainable rural communities, social capital and group learning. Rowena was Executive Officer for the Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group – which represents primary, secondary and service sector organisations in Tasmania – between 2006-2008.

Rowena has held a number of Board Directorships in both the private and public sector. She was the Chair of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council from 2003-2006; a member of the Tasmanian Women s Advisory Council between 2006-2008, and a Director of a large dairy/cropping property in the Fingal Valley from 1996-2003.

Rowena works in the following areas within Rural Development Services: project development, training and mentoring, policy research, service brokering and facilitation. Rowena s key skills lie in the areas of: building service brokering networks, communication, adult learning, researching, report writing, project development, and industry driven livestock disease control programs.

Ray Murphy

[BAppSc Biology, RMIT 1988; GradDip (Hons) Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, UTas 1993].

Ray has over 15 years experience within State government and academic organisations undertaking natural resource management and scientific research: particularly within the Tasmanian marine environment. He has conducted research in the fields of commercial and recreational fisheries and estuarine ecology, has worked as both a wild fisheries and aquaculture manager, and has managed marine protected area planning for the Tasmanian government. Through these roles, Ray has extensive experience liaising with community and industry stakeholders and within all levels of government.
At Rural Development Services, Ray delivers technical and project management services to a range of projects.

Currently he provides all the GIS and mapping services within Rural Development Services, including Property Management Planning and Water Management Planning. Ray also provides Executive Officer services to the food and seafood industries.
A key motivator for Ray is enhancing effective communication of research and policy between rural industries and government to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Ray’s key skills lie in the areas of: Research, data analysis and report writing; Effective stakeholder communication; Natural resource management and planning; and GIS and mapping services

Morag Anderson

[BSc, UTas 1987; BSc (Hons) Microbiology, UTas 1988]

Morag has a science background to which she now brings a client-focussed project management approach. In the 12 years prior to entering environmental consultancy, Morag undertook research and management roles in water quality microbiology, research in Antarctica, and retail. During her six years with a Tasmanian-based consultancy, Morag pursued her strong interests in renewable energy, water, greenhouse and carbon trading issues as well as a very good grounding in environmental documentation. A further two years were spent in the Northern Territory where Morag gained experience in the Northern Territory environmental documentation processes and in mining operations both as a team member and project manager. She successfully managed a large project for the Defence Forces to develop a Renewable Energy and Sustainability Strategy for the Northern Territory Region, which included energy and waste audits.
Morag joined Rural Development Services in May 2009 and is looking to bring these skills to the primary industry sector. Currently Morag is carrying out regular reporting to a client on responses to genetic modification issues and undertaking high level project management work. A key motivator for Morag is delivering quality to the client through good communication and clarity around the project objectives. Her key skills lie in the areas of: environmental documentation; project management; effective stakeholder communication; and research, data analysis and report writing.

Naomi McGrath-Kerr

[BA(Hons) in History, University of Tasmania 2002].

Naomi has over seven years experience working for Rural Development Services in roles including administration, project management and personal/executive assistant. She has delivered projects and services to industries including horticulture, shellfish and natural resource management, and has extensive experience in event management, from local information sessions to national industry forums. At Rural Development Services, Naomi is responsible for the coordination and management of operational services, including whole-of-staff operations meetings, human resources meetings, and HR policy. Naomi's key skills lie in the areas of: Written communication documents necessary to the management and delivery of projects, as well as promotional material and report writing; Working in and managing project teams; and Administration.

Alice Doyle

[Cert Bus Studies Accounting TAFE 1987; Currently enrolled in Diploma of Accounting, TAFE]

Alice has over 20 years experience working for Government, private and not for profit organisations in finance and administrative roles. At Rural Development Services, Alice is responsible for managing the finance office and providing administrative support to the office and all internal and external projects. Alice is the most popular person at Rural Development Services every pay period!