George Balyck was appointed today as Chief Executive Officer of AUSVEG (Australian Vegetable Growers Federation).

“George is an exceptional change management leader with the background, knowledge and practical skills to assist the AUSVEG Board to guide the vegetable industry successfully through the many challenges ahead,” Michael Badcock AUSVEG Chairman said.

George has vast experience in senior positions in the agriculture and food sectors, including meat, dairy, retail and food service.

He has practical international business experience, especially in Asia, extensive supermarket and food service supply chain knowledge from senior positions in retail organisations and his creative solutions are recognised as having a positive impact on the bottom line.

“His expertise and ability to seek opportunities and turn them into profitable business realities as well as his broad experience throughout the supply chain and empathy with producers is the exact mix of skills needed to take the vegetable industry into a sustainable future,” he said.

George also understands the challenges faced by a grower association from his three years with the National Meat Association of Australia. As National Director of Retail, he delivered extensive marketing, standards, policy, OH&S strategies and represented member needs successfully to government on issues such as foreign investment and anti-dumping.

“One of the challenges of the position will be to increase the capabilities of AUSVEG to better sevice the needs of growers by expanding the membership base, seeking new funding opportunites and building resources,” Michael said.

George is joining AUSVEG at a critical time. The industry is currently working with the Australian Government to take stock of the industry’s current crisis situation and to set directions for long term sustainability.

Part of the new direction will be to embrace all facets of the supply chain as well as developing export opportunities and supporting value adding to fresh vegetable products.

“George will bring an exceptional bank of knowledge to these areas,” Michael said.

“George is also experienced at fostering staff and will help to consolidate AUSVEG into a high performance organisation to deliver benefits to growers.

“AUSVEG is very fortunate to obtain the services of George and we look forward to the changes ahead as the industry secures its future,” he added.