Simonaitis named AEGIC CEO

Mr Simonaitis has been formally appointed the AEGIC’s new CEO, replacing David Fienberg who resigned last November, citing a difference of opinion on future strategy.

Like Mr Feinberg before him, Mr Simonaitis has an extensive industry background earned through senior roles working with giant WA grower-owned and controlled grains handler and marketing co-operative CBH.

Initially based exclusively in Perth, AEGIC was established in 2012 by the Grains Research and Development Corporation and WA State government with each contributing $20 million over five years.

Earlier this month, Fairfax Media revealed the grain market research innovation Centre was in talks with Wheat Quality Australia and the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council on a potential merger, following its acquisition of the Sydney-based Bread Research Institute from GrainGrowers late last year.

News of those talks prompted Grain Producers Australia Chair Andrew Weidemann to warn AEGIC needed to maintain a credible independence from the grain trade, to provide a strategic voice to benefit growers, regardless of structure

Mr Simonaitis said he was unable to comment on AEGIC’s previous activities but promised he was “committed to working towards bringing about positive outcomes for Australian growers”.

He said the AEGIC ultimately existed to benefit growers and operating on a pre-competitive level was an important part of that focus.

“I look forward to building relationships across Australia and engaging with AEGIC’s stakeholders to ensure AEGIC is maximising benefits to growers and the industry,” he said.

Mr Simonaitis said the AEGIC already played an important role in the Australian grains industry but “there are always opportunities for improvement in any company”.

“Communicating and engaging with growers and industry is a core business of AEGIC, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve the ways in which AEGIC engages moving forward,” he said.

“I believe relationships are crucial.

“I will spend as much time as needed directly engaging with stakeholders all over the country.”

In making the announcement today, AEGIC Chair Terry Enright said the organisation’s new CEO had a “wealth” of Australian grains industry experience and significant track record in senior management roles across grains logistics, operations, marketing and trading.

“Richard led the Accumulations Team at CBH Group for five years and has a deep understanding of the Australian grains industry, Australia’s international grain markets, and the issues and needs of Australian grain growers,” Mr Enright said.

“The AEGIC Board is very confident Richard is an ideal choice to help continue to cement AEGIC’s important place in the Australian grains industry and take the company to the next level.”

Mr Simonaitis is due to commence his new AEGIC post in late February and is also currently undertaking a Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Western Australia.

Adding to his depth of experience, Mr Simonaitis said he also grew up in a farming community and his closest friends are farmers.

“I understand that growers work hard to manage their complex businesses and are looking to agencies like AEGIC for support,” he said.

“I have worked across the entire supply chain at CBH from Albany Port Terminal Operations across the Albany zone, and in a national tole within the Marketing and Trading division, and more recently developing a number of infrastructure projects in Indonesia.

“I am excited at this opportunity and I am very much looking forward to leading AEGIC’s team of highly experienced industry experts in Perth and Sydney.”

Some critics have argued the Australian grains industry is moving too slowly to position itself to capture value for growers in export markets, through groups like the AEGIC, since the bulk wheat export market was deregulated in 2008.

Mr Simonaitis said most would agree the Australian grains industry faced a range of challenges but a range of opinions existed about how best to meet these challenges.

“I am very much looking forward to leading AEGIC into what I know will be a very exciting, productive and positive period for AEGIC, and the Australian grains industry,” he said.