Our Board

The Southern Ag Grain Board has a strong blend of grain industry experience and local farmer knowledge and understanding. The Board is represented by two directors nominated from each of the joint venture partners and focuses on governance, risk management and the development of a strong service culture. 
 
Chairman (Non-Executive)
Mike Chaseling
BApp Sci (Systems Agriculture), MAICD, AMP (Wharton)

Mike is the inaugural Chairman of Southern Ag Grain. He was appointed Deputy Chairman of Emerald following three years as a founding Executive Director and is a major shareholder. Mike is also Chairman of the Emerald board’s Risk & Compliance Committee. In addition, Mike is a Director and Deputy Chairman of SQP Pty Ltd (Emerald’s Victorian joint venture) and chairs the SQP board Risk & Audit Committee. Mike is also Chairman of EP Grain Pty Ltd, Emerald’s Eyre Peninsula joint venture. 

Mike has around 20 years experience in the Australian grains industry having held senior management and trading roles at a number of national and international corporations, including the Australian Wheat Board, ConAgra Trade Group and NETCO Ltd. Mike has also previously held various director and committee positions for a range of industry organisations.

Non-Executive Director
Malcolm McMahon
Dip. Bus Mgmt, AMP (Monash) F.A.I.C.D.

As General Manager, Merchandising, Malcolm manages all of Emerald’s front office operational functions, including trading, risk management and day-to-day contact with key consumers.  Malcolm is also a Director of EP Grain. Malcolm has more than 35 years experience at listed Australian and international agribusiness corporations including global exposure to commodity trading, finance and accumulation.

Malcolm’s executive career has included senior management and trading roles with Riverina, Cargill and Elders, as well as roles as with AWB Ltd and Graincorp.  In previous roles Malcolm developed the Port of Melbourne grains terminal from concept to construction as well as established the Australian Bulk Alliance (ABA) country grain receival network.

Malcolm has previously held chairman and director roles in agribusiness and logistics companies including Plantech, Seedmark, Pulse Australia, ABA and of Bulk Terminals Australia.

Non-executive Director
David Hodge

David is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years experience in public and commercial Accounting. He is a Partner with HMA Twomey Patterson, a Chartered Accounting practice with five offices in south eastern NSW. David is also a designated CPA Financial Planning Specialist, having advised clients on investment, superannuation and related matters for the last 10 years.

David holds other business interests in the manufacturing and supermarket sectors and has previous experience with start-up ventures, including obtaining research and other government.  Having grown up on the family farm at Marrar and with many rural businesses as clients, David understands the challenges and opportunities that farming today presents.

David is a member of Wollundry Rotary Club in Wagga Wagga and is involved with community organisations including the usual school and sporting club commitments that go hand in hand with two school age children.

Non-executive Director
Richard Carn

Richard is a grain grower and sheep producer at The Rock.  He is also a Director of Southern Agventure and a member of Southern Agventure Steering Committee and the Company Structure and Corporate Governance subcommittees.

Prior to returning to the family farm, Richard has worked in a range of agricultural industries including wool processing, irrigated cotton production and irrigation development.  Richard is currently a committee member of the Lockhart Ag Bureau, having previously been both President and Secretary.

Richard has a strong commitment to addressing current challenges facing local producers with practical and commercial solutions such as Southern Agventure.