Our board

Melissa Fletcher is the Chief Executive Officer of Fletcher International Exports, one of Australia’s largest processors and exporters of lamb and sheep meat products.

As an Australian of proud indigenous descent with over 30 years of industry experience, she represents a new generation of red meat industry leaders and brings a unique and valuable perspective to the AMPC Board.

Melissa was elected to the AMPC Board for her third term in November 2023.

John Langbridge is a veterinarian who worked for the Australia Department of Agriculture for 27 years, AMIC for four years. Currently, he holds the position of Manager – Industry Affairs for Teys Australia. 

He represented Australia on the Codex Meat Hygiene Committee, the Australian Meat Standards Committee, FSANZ PPS working group, and the Australian Meat Industry Language and Standards Committee.

In his current tole he provides technical advice to Teys and their customers, and liaises between Teys, industry, government and customers on issues related to meat safety, animal welfare, animal health, meat production, processing and exports. He also has responsibility for Teys Australia research and development programs.

John was elected to the AMPC Board for his first term in November 2023.

Dr Saranne Cooke is a professional director and chair with experience on a variety of boards across the research and education, health, sport, financial and not-for-profit sectors. 

Saranne is Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Chair of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, Deputy Chair of Racing NSW, Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern), a director of Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (RDC), HESTA Superannuation and Aged and Community Care Providers Association. 

Dr Cooke has been involved with RDCs since she was appointed to the Fisheries RDC board in 2018. Dr Cooke Chairs the Fisheries RDC Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and is the Independent Chair of the Sugar Research Australia Director Selection Committee (for 2022 and 2023). 

As a long-term resident of regional Australia, she has a genuine understanding of regional and rural issues and communities. 

Dr Cooke previously held a number of executive roles within the energy, financial, education and manufacturing sectors. Dr Cooke completed her doctorate by researching board governance across the ASX 200 companies. Dr Cooke also holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business (Marketing), and a Master of Commercial Law. Dr Cooke is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, and a Certified Practising Marketer.

Dr Cook was elected to the AMPC Board for her second term in November 2023.

Dean was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kilcoy Pastoral Company Limited (KPC) on 1 July 2012. He has worked for KPC for over 12 years, including as General Manager of Operations.

He has extensive experience in the export beef processing industry, having previously worked for over 20 years with AMH at both their Dinmore and Townsville facilities in various management roles.

In January 2017, he was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of the rebranded group of companies, Kilcoy Global Foods, with responsibilities in Australia, USA and China.

Dean holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from James Cook University.

Dean was elected to the AMPC Board for his fourth term in November 2023.

Frank is currently managing director of M C Herd Pty Ltd. M C Herd is a privately held company operating a dual species (ovine and bovine) export abattoir in Geelong, Victoria. He also holds the position of managing director at Challenge Foods Pty Ltd, an export registered company in Geelong, Victoria.

Frank is a director of H W Greenham and Sons Pty Ltd. Greenham operates abattoirs in Tongala and Moe in Victoria and Smithton in Tasmania. He is a past director and chairman of the Australian Meat Industry Council and is a current member of the National Processing Council. Frank is a past board member of the Red Meat Advisory Council, Australian Meat Processor Corporation and Primesafe Victoria.

Frank was elected to the AMPC Board for his first term in November 2023.

Allira Hudson-Gofers is a non-executive director and chair with board experience across sport, innovation, legal services, and not-for-profit sectors.  
 
In her executive role, Allira is a registered Trans Tasman Patent Attorney and Managing Partner - Australia, of a patent attorney practice.   
 
She holds a Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering, a Master of Biomedical Engineering, a Master of Intellectual Property, an MBA, and a Master of Legal Business. She is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management.  
 
Allira was elected to the AMPC Board for her second term in November 2023.

Stacey McKenna is the Manager of Industry Affairs at The Midfield Group. Stacey has served as a board director with PrimeSafe, the statutory authority responsible for regulating meat, poultry, seafood and pet food in Victoria. She is currently a director at Skills Base Australia, a registered training organisation dedicated to upskilling workers across the meat supply chain.

Stacey holds a Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness, Diploma in Meat Technology and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Stacey was elected to the AMPC Board for her first term in November 2023.

Trevor has been in the Australian meat processing industry for over 34 years. His current role is a senior executive at The Casino Food Co-op in Northern NSW. Trevor is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of the Casino Food Co-op’s corporate services, which includes environmental and food safety compliance, innovation, sustainability and business development. 

Trevor has a background in environmental science (BASc), as well as further education in meat inspection and quality assurance.

Trevor’s experience includes appointment into the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (2019-2023), and strategic AMIC committees (2010 to present).

Trevor was elected to the AMPC Board for his first term in November 2023.

Sean has delivered industry innovation through heading up research and development divisions at two industry bodies (MLA and AMPC) through a whole of industry innovation strategic mindset. 

As Scott Technology (Australia) General Manager, Sean was accountable for market development, commercialisation and adoption of innovation into Australian processing companies, in addition to geographical corporate governance. 

As Head of Innovation and Industrial Engineering (Southern) at JBS, Sean is responsible for the ‘buy, make and sell’ innovation program.

Sean holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical), Bachelor of Laws and Diploma of Business Administration. He is also a St James Ethics Centre Graduate and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sean was elected to the AMPC Board for his first term in November 2023.