Dr. Les Bourquin is an Associate Professor and Food Safety Specialist in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University, where he also holds appointments in the Center for Advanced Studies in International Development and the Center for Integrative Toxicology. Dr. Bourquin’s research program focuses on the impacts of public and private food safety standards, barriers to their acceptance and effective implementation by the food industry, and the efficacy of these standards to protect public health. His outreach and development work focuses on applied research, education and capacity building, and risk communication on food safety issues. He has worked extensively on international food and agriculture development projects in numerous countries. Dr. Bourquin completed a Master of Science (Animal Sciences) and Doctoral (Nutritional Sciences) degrees at the University of Illinois. In 2007-08, he was a Fulbright Research Scholar at Polytech'Lille (Ecole Polytechnique Universitaire de Lille), part of the University of Sciences and Technology of Lille in France.

Chair of the Board of Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA)
Honorary Professor, ‘Smart Water’, GriffithUniversity
Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, The University of Queensland
Adjunct Professor in Faculty of Science, University of the SunshineCoast.
Adjunct Professor in Public Health, QueenslandUniversity of Technology                             

Michael Moore is a registered Toxicologist, (Eurotox & Institute of Biology, British Toxicological Society) and founder Member and Registrar of the Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment (ACTRA). He is chair of the board of Water Quality Research Australia. He holds the positions of Honorary Professor Griffith University, Emeritus Professor at the University of Queensland, Adjunct Professor in Queensland University of Technology and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Science, Sunshine Coast University. He has a PhD in medicine and was awarded a Doctorate in Science in the field of biochemistry in medicine.  He trained in Clinical Pharmacology in the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London.   He was a foundation director of the Australian Centres for Human Health Risk Assessment and established the Australian short course on ‘Environmental Health Risk Assessment’ in 1995. Michael worked previously in the University of Glasgow, where he was Reader in Medicine and Therapeutics. He was a director of Monklands and Bellshill NHS Hospital Trust in Scotland and Justice of the Peace in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.  Michael has written several books and numerous chapters and over 500 research publications. His fields of interest include the toxicology of metals, risk assessment, air quality, alcoholism, cyanobacterial toxins and disorders of porphyrin metabolism.

David currently manages the Water Quality Research Australia (WQRA) Wastewater and Recycled Water Programs, where the main research focus is water quality and public health. WQRA is a not for profit company that conducts high quality, collaborative research for the Australian water industry. Previously, David worked for the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, where his roles included Research Director, Key Project Manager, Senior Research Scientist and Laboratory Manager. He has a PhD in analytical chemistry and an MBA from Monash University. David has spent the last 15 years in research and research management, and has more than 50 scientific publications.

Dr. Jill Hollingsworth is the group vice president for Food Safety Programs at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). FMI conducts programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations on behalf of its 1500 member companies, food wholesalers and retailers, in the US and around the world. She provides information, education and guidance to FMI members in all areas of food safety and regulatory compliance. Dr. Hollingsworth also assists in the management of the SQF supplier certification program for FMI. Prior to coming to FMI in 1997, Dr. Hollingsworth worked at the US Dept of Agriculture for 15 years where she was responsible for a variety of scientific activities including outbreak investigations, recalls and public health policy. She served as a Special Assistant to the Administrator providing scientific and technical advice to the Agency and to the Secretary of Agriculture. She has a BS degree in agriculture and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia.

Carmen Knolle is the Quality Manager of QMS/Procurement QA/HEB University in the Manufacturing Division of HEB, a US retailer based in San Antonio, Texas.  This includes the development, deployment and sustainment of SQF 2000 Level 3 Certifications/QMS; risk analysis and management of Manufacturing suppliers; and managing a learning center (teaching SQF Practitioner classes).  Carmen also chairs the Manufacturing Diversity Council and is a member of the Corporate Diversity Council.  Carmen actively participates on the GFSI Technical Working Group and the SQF Technical Advisory Committee. Carmen is an active SQF Practitioner and SQF Consultant.  Her American Society for Quality (ASQ) certifications include: Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, Certified HACCP Auditor and Certified Quality Auditor and Certified Quality Technician. Carmen began her career with HEB eleven years ago after earning a Bachelor of Science in both Animal Science and Food Science & Technology from Texas A&M University.  Her experience includes the positions of Production Leader and Quality Leader at the HEB Ice Cream Plant, Quality Leader at HEB Snacks Plant, and Quality Manager for HEB Manufacturing Semi-Perishables (bakeries, tortilla and snacks plants).

Carmel is the Technical Services Manager, Food and Nutrition Services, at St Vincent’s and Mater Health, Sydney. Her responsibilities include food service nutrition, food safety, menu development and food and nutrition IT systems.

Carmel has over 18 years of experience in food service management, nutrition research, nutrition and dietetic education and clinical nutrition, both in Australia and overseas.

She has been a Lecturer at the University of Sydney for a number of years and consulted to industry on food and nutrition policy and menu development and assessment.

A Medical Laboratory Scientist specialising in microbiology at Southern Community Laboratories, John previously owned a food testing business and retained an interest in that field. He also provided an occasional consultancy service to Ngai Tahu, a South Island Maori Iwi, on environmental management, and technical input to a cheese manufacturing company. He consulted on behalf of Hill Laboratories, a New Zealand Analytical and Microbiological Testing Company.

John is a Director of several companies, including a technical business providing molecular testing for mycobacterial diseases in animals, and  is involved in research into Crohn’s disease, spread of antibacterial resistance, and initiatives and interventions to control Johne’s disease in cattle and deer.

At Southern Community Laboratories, John works with emerging infectious diseases, and helps to provide a service for the early diagnosis of community infections.

As Managing Director of TQA Australia, Jane has comprehensive experience in effective project management and has strong leadership skills. She has a technical background in quality management, food safety and environmental management systems and has been involved in system development, implementation and training for more than 15 years.

Initially qualified as a Plant Pathologist, Jane developed and managed one of the first quality management systems in agribusiness in Australia she then became a private consultant and implemented SQF 2000 across fruit and vegetable producers, market agents, trucking companies and supermarkets. 

Jane’s knowledge includes international market requirements through direct involvement with implementation and auditing of Tesco’s Nature’s Choice and Marks and Spencer’s Field to Fork. She has also undertaken many international market visits including Germany, UK, Japan, Malaysia, China, South Africa and India.

In 2008, Jane was awarded the “Outstanding Individual or Organisation Working in a Non-Industry Institution” at the HACCP Conference Awards and was awarded the 2009 RIRDC Tasmanian Rural Women’s Award. Jane was also selected in to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership Program and is a recent Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Allison Clark is the Quality and Innovation Manager at Houston’s Farm and a member of the Business Management Team.  Her role includes managing technical aspects of the food safety and quality management programs for Houston’s Farm fresh cut salad growing and processing operations in southern Tasmania as well as the processing operation at Rocklea in Queensland.  In addition to these technical functions, Allison also participates in product development, research and development, and risk management activities at Houston’s Farm.

Allison has a specific interest in sustainable food production.  In 2008 Houston’s Farm were successful in winning the inaugural Woolworths Fresh Food Grant and since that time Allison has successfully coordinated the development of the Houston’s Farm Carbon Foot printing Tool which has been made available for further development by the Australian Vegetable Industry with HAL support.  Houston’s Farm also continues to expand its focus into the ethical aspects of sustainable food production and Allison leads this platform across its production sites.

Allison is married to Peter and they have two daughters Sarah and Rebecca.     She has recently completed a Executive Certificate in Food Business Management (Monash).  In addition to her role with Houston’s Farm, Allison is also the Chair of TQA Australia, Chair of the Fresh Cut Salad Producers Forum Technical Committee, and regularly participates in SQF Asia Pacific Technical Committee meetings.   

Nigel Dalton-Brown is head of Sales and Marketing for iCiX Asia. With over 300,000 compliance documents across 60,000 members in more than 65 countries, iCiX is the world’s largest online business-to-business compliance information exchange.  With over 20 years experience in high technology, Nigel works with organisations that deliver measurable improvements in productivity and performance and has just completed a global survey into the perceived importance of supplier compliance.  Nigel holds an MBA from Warwick which ranks in the top 1% in the world and represents Australian Industry Group on the QR-008 committee on Quality Systems at Australian Standards.

Elizabeth is Senior Consultant Microbiologist with JMark Pty Ltd and Silliker Australia. She has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours in Food Microbiology. Elizabeth managed her consulting laboratory Microserve in Perth before Silliker bought the company in 2005. She has worked extensively with various sectors of the food industry for more than 25 years and has developed food safety guideline documents in the horticulture sector. Her current role at JMark incorporates advising on food safety and technical aspects of the quality system programs and she is a member of the Business Management Team. Elizabeth is also a member of the Technical Committee of the Fresh Salad Producers Forum.

Marion joined the Coles  Supermarkets Quality Team in 2004 bringing with her a wealth of experience in manufacturing and food safety auditing.  Prior to joining Coles, she spent over 11 years as a Q.A. Manager in the fresh food industry and then several years as a  third party food safety auditor. Both of these roles provided Marion with an excellent grounding and unique insights in the practicalities of managing food safety and quality in the ‘real’ world.

Marion is currently the Supplier and Product Quality Manager for the Coles Supplier Management Team, which oversees the approval, certification and auditing of all Coles Housebrand suppliers both locally and internationally.  
In addition to her usual duties, Marion is co-founder of the Coles Auditor Scheme and chair of the Coles Auditor Scheme Committee and represents Coles Group Ltd in numerous global and local industry technical committees.  

In 2008 Marion won the Category 1 HACCP Award for Outstanding Individual in an Agri-food Industry Company.  She thinks that David Tennant was the best Dr Who and hates having her photo taken.

Chiyuki Uehara

Interpreter for the conference will be Ms. Yumie Kawashima.

Technical Manager – Food, Australia / NZ, SAI Global Limited

Kimberly has extensive experience as a technical professional specialising in the development, implementation, assessment and training of business management systems, specifically as related to food safety, product quality and legality.   

Over the past 25 years Kimberly has worked for and with leading food and beverage manufacturers and associated supply chain organisations across the USA, Latin America, Asia and Australia.

Kimberly has been an active member of SAI Global Limited’s Food Safety Business Unit for the past ten years and in her current role as the Technical Manager works closely with various specifiers in the industry to ensure that inspection and assessment standards/criteria are understood and closely adhered to by SAI Global’s Food Safety Auditors across the Asia/Pacific region through the development of internal strategies for delivery of on-going auditing services and auditor competency.  

Kimberly holds formal qualifications in food science, (Bachelor of Science, Michigan State University, USA), management systems auditing, (RABQSA registered Lead Auditor - Food Safety, Quality and Coles Supplier Requirements, Registered High Risk Auditor – SQF2000/1000, Third Party Auditor – BRC Global Standard for Food Safety and Storage/Distribution, and registered RABQSA Skills Examiner), and education and training (Approved Training Provider - BRC Version 5 series of courses and Coles Auditor Requirements).

Richard Bennett is Product Integrity Manager for Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL).  He is responsible for quality, food safety, food security, environmental assurance and supply chain R&D programs. He is based in Shepparton, Victoria.

Richard has worked in the nursery, seed and fruit processing industries and as an agronomist and executive officer for a number of regional and national fruit grower associations. He has implemented many Freshcare and SQF2000 systems. His qualifications are in Orchard Management, Agricultural Science and Agribusiness.

Richard was chair of the Horticulture for Tomorrow environmental initiative which developed the industry’s Guidelines for Environmental Assurance. He represents the industry in areas such as traceability, food chain assurance, incident management and food standards.

I describe myself as the most unlikely appointment to a Senior technical position that I know. Currently appointed to the Executive position of General Manager HR, QA & Safety at Tassal Group.

Besides growing the best Salmon products around  - Tassal Group – is vertically integrated and Australia’s largest Salmon and Aquiculture company producing product mainly for both the domestic markets, employing approx 680 permanent people plus seasonal variation.

In total have been dabbling in the HR field for the past 18 years and in the Food Safety for 2.3. In addition I hold a Board appointment to Seafood Training Tasmania, sit on the Seafood Agrifood Advisory Committee, FRDC (Seafood) People Advisory Body and member of the Asia Pacific SQF TAC. Now an extremely strong advocate to the Food Safety world committed to making a difference.

Anthony Zammit holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of Tasmania and a Masters in Environmental Science and Law from the University of Sydney. Anthony Zammit has worked in the area of bi-valve molluscan shellfish safety for ten years and is an active member of the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Advisory Committee. 

Mr Zammit was appointed as the Manager of the NSW Shellfish Program in 2005. In this position he leads a multi-disciplinary team that develops environmental monitoring programs to facilitate the real-time risk management of shellfish harvest areas by closing areas to harvest when adverse environmental conditions are present. To achieve the successful delivery of this program a heavy emphasis is placed on co-regulation.

National Program Manager
Freshcare Ltd

Clare has a strong background in both the Australian and International fresh produce industries.  With a degree in horticulture (specialising in postharvest horticulture), Clare has worked in all sectors of the industry from primary production, through the wholesale and retail sectors and, in a range of industry support roles.

Whilst primarily focussed on fresh produce, Clare’s food safety and quality experience also extends across several other food and agribusiness sectors.

Clare maintains close contact with key players in all sectors of both the UK and Australian fresh produce industries.  This network, combined with her hands on experience at all stages of the fresh produce supply chain provides Clare with a strong background for her current role as National Program Manager for the Freshcare On-Farm Assurance Program.

As National Program Manager, Clare is responsible for the overall structure, management, promotion and day to day activities of the Freshcare Program, for the Australian fresh produce industry.

Working with the network of Freshcare owner organizations, endorsed trainers, Certification Bodies and industry stakeholders, Clare’s role is to assist growers in adopting a practical, cost effective on farm program to meet the ‘Food Safety & Quality’ and ‘Environmental ‘assurance requirements of their customer base.

Clare is a regular contributor to industry journals & publications and participates in a number of industry committees and working groups.  In 2010 she was the very proud recipient of an Australian HACCP Conference Award -  for an ‘Outstanding individual working in an industry support organisation’.