Candidates to the FWPA board are selected by an “˜arms-length’ director selection committee that includes representatives from four national associations.
After completing their first three-year term John Simon and John McNamara were both re-nominated by the Director Selection Committee – alongside Stephen Dadd. All nominees were elected by the FWPA members.
Following consultation with industry associations and the Department of Agriculture and Water, a package of minor administrative changes to FWPA’s Constitution was presented at the AGM as a special resolution, which requires the support of 75 per cent of voting members. All the proposed changes were passed by the members.
When addressing the AGM the FWPA’s chairman Ron Adams thanked his fellow directors for their commitment, contribution and diligent leadership of the company. This was Ron’s last year as a director and chairman of the FWPA and he noted, with pleasure, the changes the company has undergone since it was privatised in 2007.
“In my nine years as chairman, I have enjoyed leading nine unique boards, because each board is truly distinctive based on its composition and knowledge of its members.
“Over this time, I have shared my director duties with 20 other intelligent and passionate individuals who have brought their own experience from within the forest and wood product sector, and equally important, from the broader corporate and not-for-profit sectors,” Ron said.
“The strength of FWPA lies in its capability to articulate and implement its rolling five-year plan in a collaborative and systematic manner across the five key program areas. I am confident that FWPA will continue to deliver effective and valuable commercial outcomes for its members and for the Australian Government.”
At a subsequent FWPA Board meeting, the directors elected John Simon as the new chairman of the board.
John has recently retired as CEO of Simmonds Lumber and has previously held senior executive roles in the forest products sector, including chairman of the Timber Development Association.
John continues to remain active in the sector in a number of non-executive roles.
“I am grateful for the support of my fellow directors and I look forward to maintaining the strategic focus and strong corporate governance of the organisation,” John said.
