Executive Profiles

John S MaherBAgSc (Hons), MBA, GAICD, FAIM

Appointed as Managing Director on 2 October 2006. John is responsible for the parent company and branded entities that form the largest network of independently owned stores and regional companies in agribusiness and real estate throughout Australia. He is a director of some of Ruralco’s subsidiary companies, including Combined Rural Traders Pty Ltd and Roberts Ltd.

John was a foundation director of Australian Livestock Export Corporation (LiveCorp) and was also previously a director of AuctionsPlus Pty Ltd, Wesfarmers Landmark Ltd and Landmark Operations Ltd. He is a member of the National Farmers’ Federation Members’ Council and Australian Agriculture’s Blueprint advisory group. John is also a Director of Autism Awareness Australia.

John was recently awarded the 2012 Faculty Alumni Award for Outstanding Community Achievement from the University of Sydney Faculty of Agriculture and Environment.

Angie Somann-CrawfordBA LLB, GAICD, CSA (Cert)

Angie is Ruralco’s General Counsel and was appointed Company Secretary on 3 May 2011, having acted in the role between 9 February 2010 and 6 September 2010.

In her role as General Counsel, Angie is responsible for all of the Group’s legal functions and has over 12 years legal experience. Prior to being appointed General Counsel, Angie was the Group’s Legal Counsel. She joined Ruralco in July 2008 and her background is in corporate and commercial law, having worked as an associate at a boutique law firm specialising in complex commercial law.

Ian ArmstrongMBA

Ian commenced with Ruralco Holdings Limited in June 2008 and is responsible for managing the Group’s credit function, risk register and general policy compliance.

In a career spanning 35 years, Ian has held various senior commercial, financial and risk orientated positions with a major national agribusiness for a majority of that time. Other experiences have included time as a police officer and CFO for a major garden nursery business.

Allan BarrBCom - AG

Allan was promoted to the role of General Manager Tasmanian Operations in November 2011 and is responsible for Ruralco’s business units in Tasmania.

Allan joined Roberts in 1998 and has been part of the senior management team for the Roberts business since 2007. His career spans over 20 years in agriculture in both Australia and New Zealand and he has extensive experience in rural merchandising, grain, seed trading and agronomy.

Rachel Cofrancesco

Rachel is responsible for developing and designing strategies for all aspects of Human Resources for the Ruralco Group.

Rachel has over 20 years experience in both human resources and operational management within the retail and hospitality industries and has been with the Ruralco Group since April 2008.

Rachel is a certified professional member of AHRI.

Michael CullinanMBA - Fin, BBus, Dip Fin Serv, AFB, CBus - Real Est, GAICD

Michael joined Ruralco in 2008 as General Manager - Financial Services. This role saw Michael responsible for the operation and development of the Group’s Financial Services division which provides an insurance and finance offering to complement all channels to market.

Michael was appointed to the role of General Manager - Sector Operations in July 2012. He continues to be responsible for the group’s finance and insurance activities in addition to its water solutions, water broking, environment and grain marketing portfolios.

Michael has over 30 years experience in the rural sector having worked for other national agribusinesses. Starting as a cadet, Michael has worked in most roles within a rural agency business. He developed a strong livestock agency base from which he moved into management roles at branch, state and regional level. Michael has held direct operational responsibility for the delivery of all services and functional roles in real estate, wool, insurance and finance.

Travis DillonAdv Dip RBM

Travis joined Ruralco in 2007 and was recently appointed General Manager – Mainland Operations. Travis is responsible for businesses on the Australian mainland that Ruralco has equity participation in. These businesses consist of joint venture and 100% owned operations and include some iconic rural supplies brands such as Rodwells, Primaries of WA, GDL and Davidson Cameron & Co.

Travis has been involved with the agribusiness industry for almost 20 years and has extensive experience in agronomy, branch and category management.

Peter Homann

Peter is responsible for developing and executing growth strategies as well as improving the co-ordination between Ruralco businesses for the key activities of Livestock, Wool and Rural Property.

Peter has over 30 years experience in the livestock industry with significant experience in agency and the supply chain.

Greg O’Neil

Greg has over 30 years experience with CRT and is responsible for the merchandise business of the CRT/Town & Country membership and marketing and communications for the Ruralco Group.

He has held various senior positions with Ruralco including marketing, category and state management and, since 1996, general management.

Andrew FergusonBA, CA

Andrew was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Ruralco Holdings Limited in April 2012. He is responsible for Ruralco’s financial integrity, including its financial and management reporting, tax planning and compliance, treasury and governance. He also has responsibility for the organisation’s information systems and indirect procurement.

Andrew is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of commercial and financial experience in both the UK and Australia. His previous roles include senior finance roles with NRMA and Jetset Travelworld Limited. Prior to this, Andrew worked with Ernst & Young for a number of years as a Senior Manager in both their Glasgow and Sydney offices.

Rick MayburyBAS (Ag), Adv Dip BM

Rick joined Ruralco’s Rural Supplies division in 2009 after seven years with Rawlinson & Brown, one of Ruralco’s specialist rural businesses based out of Griffith (NSW). He has held national roles for Ruralco including Crop Protection Category Manager and National Merchandise Manager.

In his current role, appointed 31 July 2012, Rick is accountable for the Rural Supplies national procurement team, supply chain and logistics, and the Grow Force fertiliser business unit.