Executive Director Geoff Bloom, Chairman Wayne Cornish and Treasurer Ralph Leutton.

Left to right - Deputy Chairman Don Hayes, Treasurer Ralph Leutton and Directors Ailsa Fox and Matt Linnegar.

Chairman

Wayne Cornish is a farmer, former Chairman of ChemCert Australia and a former Vice President of the National Farmers' Federation. He is a former Chairman of the NFF's Farm Chemicals Sub-committee and DrumMUSTER. Wayne was the President of the South Australian Farmers' Federation for six years and has been heavily involved in natural resource management, education and training, and local government. He has broad expertise in primary production. He is a Member of the Advisory Board of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Deputy Chairman

Don Hayes is Deputy Chairman of Rural Skills Australia. He is Secretary of the Australian Workers Union and a Director of AgriFood Skills Australia.

Treasurer

Ralph Leutton is a former Member of the National Quality Council and a former Director of AgriFood Skills Australia. Ralph has had a lengthy career in the rural industry. He was Program Manager, Policy and Legislation for Cotton Australia and before that the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation for seven and a half years. He holds a Master’s Degree in Immuno-Parasitology and has held positions in research in university and government departments. He has been a Senior Lecturer in International Marketing Skills and a successful event organiser with credits including Expo 88, Beef 88 and Beef 91.

Director

Matt Linnegar was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Farmers’ Federation in March 2011. He has 17 years in agricultural representation - including diverse leadership, management and marketing roles in irrigation, rice, and meat and livestock industries. He was General Manager, Corporate and Customer Operations at Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited. Prior to this he was Executive Director, Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia.

Director

Ailsa Fox has a family farming business producing beef, lamb and wool. She is a past Junior Vice President of the Victorian Farmers Federation. Ailsa was the President of the Livestock Commodity Group for four consecutive years as well as a Director of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Authority for nine years. She was formerly a Councillor for the Shire of Mansfield, a Commissioner of the Shire of Murrindindi and a delegate to Cattle Council of Australia.

Executive Director

Geoff Bloom was instrumental in forming the Rural Industry Training Association Inc. in 1995 (Rural Skills Australia).  Before this Mr Bloom had extensive experience in the Australian Public Service, including several years in the industry training area of the former Department of Employment, Education and Training. During this time he was actively involved with various industry training advisory boards (ITABs), skills centres and industry groups.

Geoff is a member of the Rural and Related Industries Standing Committee and the Racing Industry Standing Committee of Agrifood Skills Australia. He is a Director of the Canberra Racing Club and a Director of the Australian Racing Board.