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AFCA

OUR TEAM

Our people represent the needs of forest contracting businesses.

AFCA engages with government, industry sectors and the community to represent the interests of our members. AFCA plays an important role in ensuring members, the forest industry, supply chain, and governments aware of developments and the best practices for a sustainable industry.

AFCA actively works on industry and government initiatives to improve operating environments and outcomes for our industry. Working with our partners and industry stakeholders, AFCA improves business conditions and promotes the value of forest service businesses.



Tim Lester, CEO

Tim brings over two decades of experience in government and industry, focusing on natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, biosecurity, and rural innovation.⁠

Growing up on a dairy farm, Tim's passion for sustainable landscapes and rural industries makes him an invaluable asset.  He previously served as Executive Officer for the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations, and he's been involved in significant initiatives related to animal welfare and sustainable agriculture.⁠
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Tim shared his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm really excited to be taking on this role with AFCA and work on the issues that matter and will make a difference."⁠

Lloyd Martin, Chair

Originally From The Uk, And 10 Plus Years With Leesons Logging & Cartage 10 Years Ago. A Qualified Accountant And A Fellow Of The Acca. Lloyd Brings With Him His Experience Gained From Working Across Many Industries. As Part Of The Senior Management Team, Lloyd Works To Support Ricky With The Family Business.

It's No Secret That Lloyd Is Proud To Be A Director, Working For The Leeson Family, And Is Proud Of What The Team Has Been Able To Achieve. Jo Credits Hiring Lloyd As 'one Of The Better Things I Was Part Of At Leeson's'. Responsible For The Strong Culture Within The Office, Lloyd Works Hard With The Rest Of The Team To Ensure That Leeson's Continues Well Into The Next Generation.

More Lloyd Can Be Found About The History Of Leeson’s Can Be Found In Our Book, ‘timber, Tragedy & Toil’.

Francis Richardson, Director

Francis Richardson currently works as the Business Systems Manager for Orana Enterprises and has worked in the role for the last 7 years. Francis has been in the industry for over 10 years focusing primarily on the implementation of business system for the harvest and haulage sector. These roles have allowed him to work in the Gippsland, Green Triangle regions with his current role being based in Tasmania.

His role with the company has developed over the years and has which has involved the implementation of systems such as MT Data tracking systems, Guardian fatigue management devices and a range of other supporting systems to improve our efficiency and effectiveness which has been instrumental to the significant growth in the business. Francis has a passion for the forest industry and continuously strides to introduce and improve technology in the sector for long term sustainability.

Mark Brown, Director

Professor of Forestry Operations, UniSC, Director – Forestry Research Institute – UniSC, Director – Forest Industries Research Centre - UniSC, Chair - IEA Bioenergy TCP, Task Leader, Biomass Supply – IEA Bioenergy, Treasurer – Rip City Basketball (USCBC inc.)  Mark grew up in the forest industry and from the family sawmill and contracting business went on to get his career in applied forestry research and innovation having worked in research leadership roles both in Canada and Australia. Mark has 25 years’ experience in forestry and biomass supply applied research and innovation. His work focusses on research implementation across forest product, bioproduct and bioenergy supply chains, integrating and adapting traditional product supply with emerging bioenergy, bioproducts and circular economy opportunities.

        

Mark is an internationally recognised RD&I leader in partnership establishment and development with diverse industry, government, and academic partners and has leadership roles in IEA Bioenergy in the Executive Core Group, Chair of Communications and Biomass Supply Task Leader.  Mark also provides leadership, governance and management to the Rip City Basketball association based out of the UniSC Arena.  He has been an elected committee member as secretary and treasurer for over a decade.

Meeghan Price, Director

Meeghan is currently an operations supervisor for TP Bennett & Sons,  a Harvesting and Haulage contractor based in Southern Tasmania.  As the fifth generation of the business, she has worked across both plantation and native forests undertaking ground based and cable operations in her 10 years in the industry - starting when she was just 14.  In 2021 Meeghan completed her Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage and then won Trainee of the year- Small organisation at the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network awards.  She enjoys being on the ground in machines and on the tools, as well assisting with the behind the scenes administrations tasks that allow for all aspects of operations to run smoothly.

  

Meeghan is passionate about the industry and the crucial role it plays.  This includes being an advocate to draw the younger generation into the industry and providing mentorship, that leverages the expertise she has learned from many icons of the industry, to become the next generation of knowledgeable industry professionals.  She hopes that as an industry we can continue educate the public and promote our world class practices and the importance we play in producing one of the best renewable resources on the planet