NIFPI CENTRES
Gippsland Centre
The Gippsland Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI Gippsland Centre) aims to grow Australia’s forest and forest products industry by exploring and facilitating innovation in the plantation forest products sector in areas such as forest management, timber processing, wood fibre recovery, value adding, advanced manufacturing and the bio-economy.
GIPPSLAND CENTRE CHAIR
Prof. Andrew O'Loughlin
Andrew is a Professor of Management and Associate Dean Engagement at Federation Business School, Federation University. Andrew has also held positions at Latrobe, Deakin, and Monash Universities in Australia and Surrey University, Cranfield University and Henley Management College in the UK. His research and publications focus on creative problem solving in high performing teams, innovation and supply chain management.
Prior to a career in academia Andrew spent 22 years in industry working across Europe as a Regional Manager of International Development with GKN Plc, a consultant with Asiawide International Ltd based in Singapore and Malaysia.
Andrew has advised a number of global businesses both in Australia and overseas, as well as numerous small and medium sized enterprises, specifically on how to create and manage innovation portfolios in order to maximise supply chain performance.
Gippsland Centre Committee Members
Leisa Clark
Gippsland Forestry Hub
Phil Lacy
PF Olsen
Sarah Harvie
Opal
Sharon Occhipinti
HVP Plantations
Stacey Gardiner
HVP Plantations
Vince Hurley
Australian Sustainable Hardwoods
NIFPI CENTRES
Mount Gambier Centre
The Mount Gambier Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI Mount Gambier Centre) aims to grow Australia’s forest and forest products industry by exploring and facilitating innovation in the plantation forest products sector in areas such as forest management, timber processing, wood fibre recovery, value adding, advanced manufacturing and the bio-economy.
MOUNT GAMBIER CENTRE CHAIR
Sara Gipton
Sara Gipton leads business development at PF Olsen Australia. She is the Chair of AFPA’s Climate Policy Sub-Committee. Sara is an expert for the Australian carbon market and the complex workings of carbon legislation. Sara’s previous roles include CEO of Greenfleet, a pioneer of biodiverse carbon projects in Australia and CEO of FSC Australia where she led the finalisation and launch of the first FSC Australian Forest Management Standard. Sara is a Chartered Accountant and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2011 and recently named ‘Life Fellow’ of the Energy Efficiency Council following 5 years of service on the Board.
Mount Gambier Centre Committee Members
Adrian Flowers
Adrian Flowers is owner of Forest harvest, haulage and chipping operations company Tabeel Trading Pty Ltd based in Mount Gambier with 120 forest contracting personnel. Adrian has 15 years experience in the Forestry Industry and 10 years in the prefabricated timber frame building industry. Adrian is Chair of the Green Triangle Forest Contractors Group and member of the South Australian Forest Product Association Governing Council.
David Oliver
David Oliver is the Executive General Manager Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs for Timberlink Australia & New Zealand. Throughout David’s career he has worked in a range of Australian manufacturing sectors across Plastics, Automotive, Mechanical & Digital Locking and has work for Australia’s leading timber manufacturing businesses. David is also a Voting Member of the Mount Gambier committee of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation centre.
Glen Rivers
Glen Rivers is Chief Forester at OneFortyone Plantations and has been involved in forest research for many years. He is passionate about rebuilding the skills and capacity within research providers to enable the forest industry to leverage new ideas and innovation. Glen is current Chair of Tree Breeding Australia and a member of the Growers Research Advisory Committee of FWPA and the Green Triangle Forest Industry Hub water working group.
Prof. Enzo Lombi
Technical advisor (non-voting)
Previous Members
Tammy Auld (Timberlands Pacific), Phillip Dohnt (LV Dohnt & Co), Jan Newport
Dr Charlma Phillips
NIFPI acknowledges the valuable industry contributions of committee member Dr Charlma Phillips who sadly passed away in November 2021.
NIFPI CENTRES
Launceston Centre
The Launceston Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI Launceston Centre) aims to grow Australia’s forest and forest products industry by exploring and facilitating innovation in the forest products sector in areas such as forest management, timber processing, wood fibre recovery, value adding, advanced manufacturing and the bio-economy.
Launceston CENTRE CHAIR
Terry Edwards
Terry Edwards recently retired following 16 years as the Chief executive Officer of the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania from 2002 until July 2018. During his time at FIAT Terry served on a number of Boards and Committees aimed at increasing the focus of the industry on research and development and innovation including the Forest and Forest Industries Council, the Ministerial Advisory Council and the Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board. Prior to his appointment to FIAT Terry was the Deputy CEO at the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industries where he had been employed for the preceding 20 years. Terry’s role at FIAT was very wide ranging involving lobby of Federal and State Governments, policy development and implementation, maintaining cohesive strategic industry relationships, representation of FIAT on abroad range of State and Industry Boards, Committees, Councils etc. covering the full gamut of industry issues.
Gippsland Centre Committee Members
Dr Andrew Jacobs
Forico
Dr Des Richardson
Norske Skog
James Neville Smith
Neville Smith Forest Products
Shawn Britton
Britton Timbers
Suzette Weeding
Sustainable Timber Tasmania
Dr Hans Drielsma
Technical advisor (non-voting)