These people are representative of the wider Seeka team who operate throughout the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. The team has considerable experience and has an average tenure at Seeka of approximately 10 years per Executive. It is a particluar strength of Seeka that it is able to identify and promote talent from within, not only in these senior roles but across many roles within the greater Company.
Michael Franks - Chief Executive
Michael started with the Company in 2003 as Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed Chief Executive in December 2006. Michael has held senior finance roles and has more than 20 years commercial experience.
Bryan Grafas - General Manager Orchard Operations
Bryan oversees all orchard operations, including long term leased, short term and managed orchards. In a normal year Bryan will oversee the growing of more than 10m trays of kiwifruit. He has over 25 years kiwifruit experience.
Rob Towgood, General Manager Post Harvest Services
Rob oversees all packhouse and coolstore management operations. This covers 11 packhouses and 20 coolstores, employing over 3000 staff during the season. In a normal year Rob's team will coordinate over 20m trays of class 1 fruit and around 2m trays of class 2. All graded in specification and delivered on time to market specification. Rob has more than 25 years kiwifruit experience.
Greg Rodger, General Manager Information Systems
Information systems at Seeka have been a focus for the Company. Greg and his team deliver leading-edge information systems to support all business operations. These systems have delivered Seeka foundations where real time information is reliably available across the business for key decision making. Greg has been with Seeka for 4 years.
Stuart McKinstry, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Stuart and his team provide financial management reporting services across the company. Stuart has more than 23 years accounting experience in both public practice and industry and is a member of the Institute of Charterd Accountants of New Zealand. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer 5 years ago and serves as the Company Secretary. Stuart has 13 years experience in the kiwifruit industry.
Kevin Halliday, General Manager IFSL (our logistics service provider)
Kevin provides the interface between Seeka and Zespri through IFSL. All contractual matters, supply negotiations and issues relating to the ordering and supply of fruit to Zespri are coordinated through Kevin. He and his team coordinate the supply of close to 30% of fruit marketed by Zespri. Kevin has been with Seeka for 6 years.
Geoff Carey - General Manager Grower Information Services
Geoff has a over 30 years experience in management/accounting including 10 years with Seeka. Providing financial information to 800 growers, Geoff and his team are well placed to handle grower payments.The Grower Information Services team manages approximately $200m of growers money and is separately audited.
Peter Mourits, General Manager Grower Relations and Corporate Marketing
Peter and his team provide the interface between growers and the company ensuring the individual grower needs are met by the company and provide technical assistance to both kiwifruit and avocado growers. His team also markets both Kiwifruit and Avocados to leading Australian and New Zealand Supermarkets. Peter has over 20 year’s commercial experience in the Export and Agri-business sector.