Ben Shannon, Regional Manager
Ben re-joined the Wagga office in 2008 as an Account Manager.
Ben grew up on a family farm near Mendooran NSW, with a mixture of cropping, fat lambs, wool and cattle, and has always wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.
Ben has worked on a variety of broad acre farms in the Trangie and Narromine districts, including broad acre farming and irrigation and livestock. He worked in grain marketing with Agfarm in 2005, and then worked in Agribusiness banking with Suncorp for two years. His broad range of personal and business experience in agriculture mean that Ben has a good understanding of all elements of the agricultural industry.
Ben has a University Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce at the University of Sydney, Orange, 2003-2005.
Georgie Gorman, Account Manager
Georgie joined Agfarm in November 2008 as a Pricing Desk Administrator, and in June 2009 became an Account Manager for Southern region.
Georgie grew up on a sheep and cattle farm at Queanbeyan, NSW and also spent a lot of time at her family’s mixed farming (canola, wheat and sheep) property at Grenfell. Georgie’s lifetime love of farming made her very keen to get into the agricultural industry.
Before joining Agfarm, Georgie was a Regional Services Manager at an outdoor advertising company in Sydney and Melbourne, responsible for booking regional billboards in country towns and highways throughout Australia. Georgie brings a high level of professional expertise in working with companies throughout rural and metropolitan Australia, in following projects through from start to finish, and keeping close relationships with users at all points.
Leonie O'Driscoll, Manager, Agfarm Solutions
One of the most experienced grain marketers in Australia, Leonie joined Agfarm in 2004 and is based in Wagga at the Southern Region office.
Leonie grew up on a 2,000ha farming enterprise based around cropping and fat lambs in Lameroo, South Australia. She developed her strong foundation in grower and trade relationships and in trading and logistics while employed as a Field Merchant with Cargill Australia (1999-2003).
Leonie has an Agricultural Science Degree from the University of Adelaide. She has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Finance & Investment (2006) through the Securities Institute, making her PS146 compliant.
As Regional Manager, Leonie uses her valuable industry experience and knowledge to ensure that Agfarm provides the best available information and options for grain marketing.
Sam Heagney, National Account Manager, Agfarm Advantage
Sam joined Agfarm in 2007 to head up the company's Western Australian office, he then moved to the Victorian office in 2009 working as an Account Manager until he was asked to take on the new role of National Account Manager, Agfarm Advantage working from Wagga Wagga in 2010.
Sam's farming and grain trading experience have given him a strong background in farming and grain markets throughout Australia and the US, from cropping and production through to marketing and distribution.
Sam has been employed as an Assistant Manager on a mixed farming property in Hillston, NSW, where he managed the cropping enterprise and grew over 1300ha of irrigated crops. Sam was also involved in managing the property's livestock enterprise of merino sheep and beef cattle.
Before that he was a grain trader with a Southern Riverina grain merchant, trading grains across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. He was then promoted to manage the company's stockfeed mill in the Western district of Victoria, where he used his knowledge of grain markets to supply a predominantly dairy client base with stock feed. Sam has also worked on a cattle and cropping farm in America.
Sam has a Bachelor of Farm Management from the University of Sydney, Orange.
Justine Maher, Account Manager, Freightboss
Justine grew up in Cookardinia, near Henty on a mixed farming enterprise with a primary focus on lamb production, wool and cropping.
After completing high school Justine completed a rural traineeship before studying for a Bachelor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University in Wagga. She spent a year in agribusiness banking and then travelled to Canada working on a beef cattle ranch.
Justine was attracted to Agfarm's reputation within the industry and looks forward to the challenge of developing the Freightboss business unit.
Andrew Kearns, Account Manager, Freightboss
Andrew came to work with Agfarm in 2011 in the newly developed Freightboss team. He grew up in Sutton, NSW on a property trading in prime lambs and young steers.
He then managed Riverina Farming Pty Ltd growing up to 18,000 acres of winter cereals. He came to work at Agfarm to learn more about the trading of commodities and to build the freightboss system. In his spare time he runs his own property at Old Junee.
Narelle Twitt, Client Services Administrator
Narelle was raised in Holbrook, NSW and has vast experience in office management, accounts payable and receivable, reception, financial and customer service. Narelle is the first point of contact when calling the Wagga office and is a friendly and efficient organiser.
Narelle worked for Agfarm previously, returning to assist us after the expansion of the Wagga office in 2011. Her hobbies are tennis and photography.
Abbie Pumpa, Client Services Representative
Abbie grew up on a farm near Henty, NSW where they produced grain, barley and livestock.
Abbie completed her HSC at St Paul's College in Walla Walla and began working at Agfarm as a harvest casual immediately after.
Abbie decided to stay with Agfarm as it allows her to work locally whilst learning and developing in an industry she was raised in. Abbie looks after the administrative side of grain transactions and client service.