Nominations are in and we have five candidates standing for the 2023 Anexa Vet Club Board Election. There are three seats on the Board to fill.
Members, you can expect your voting papers to arrive via post. Please take the time to read the candidates’ profiles, select your choice of Board Members and return your voting paper to Anexa Morrinsville by 5.00pm, Wednesday 20th September 2023 as per voting paper instructions.
Candidate Profiles
Malcom Edward
Hi, my name is Malcolm Edward, I am a sheep farmer and Chartered Accountant from Tahuna. I have 15 years experience in preparing financial statements, auditing, tax, business consulting and working in leadership teams in a commercial environment.
When we started farming sheep, advice from the Anexa team was extremely valuable to us. It will be great to be able to give back by utilising my skill set to ensure our vets are here when we need them.
Mike Karl
My wife Brenda and I have been dairy farming at Waitakaruru on the Hauraki Plains for the past 38 years and now our daughter and son in law have taken over the day to day running of the farm as Contract Milkers. Whilst I have taken a step back from the Dairy Farm I am looking after all the replacement stock as well as rearing beef on a separate block of land.
I have been involved in the Dairy Industry since leaving school and worked my way through the industry to farm ownership. I have also had extensive involvement in Dairy Conversations and project management.
I have served on various committees and boards in my community and rejoined the Board of Farmers Vet Club in 2006 going on to the Anexa Board when the two amalgamated. The next year is looking like a challenging one for Rural businesses and I believe with my experience we can support our local farmers through a difficult time.
Paul Manion
I’m an owner operator milking 270 cows on our Morrinsville farm with my wife Kate and our four children. I have worked my way through the dairy industry. Starting as an assistant, to a manager, contract milker, sharemilker and finally a farm owner. My farming practices have been recognised in the Dairy Industry Awards, Manager 2015. I represent the future of dairying – people prepared to work hard to achieve goals and provide for their families.
I have a BCom(Ag) from Lincoln University, have completed a Taste of Governance course through the NZID and am completing a year long Governance course through Massey University. I will bring a future focus to the board, continue to hold the management team to account and ensure the club continues to be “for farmers”. In the short term I will be asking management their plans to help farmers get through these challenging economic times. Thank you for considering my appointment.
Michael McGehan
Along with my wife Charys and 3 children (Jack 9, Ella 7, Sophie 3) we live on our dairy farm at Tauwhare milking around 400 cows currently run by a Contract Milker. We also dabble in Wagyu beef on the side with a small herd on a nearby runoff block. I am a Farm Advisor off-farm and on the back of over 11 years in Agri Finance based in Morrinsville I have a strong skill set in numbers.I’m passionate about not only cows and grass but what NZ has to offer the world in terms of agricultural efficiency and systems as we navigate the current industry challenges. We have been clients of Anexa for around 10 years and have found the service and support to be first rate. I feel I have a lot to offer the Anexa board and clients with an inquiring mind grounded in the realities of the current environment.
Megan Owen
Megan completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology and spent most of her post graduate working life working for entities that became Fonterra. Her roles in product development, laboratory management, production and supply chain management have given her a wide understanding of the interaction between business units. She and her husband have been sharemilking in the Anexa catchment for over 20 yrs.
While able to stay at home with young children she became involved in strengthening the community within the School Parent Association and also chaired the local Rural Women NZ group and latterly the Ngaruawahia Arts Centre.
As a vet club, Megan sees Anexa and as being a key partner in their Dairy Business success. While on the board she would like to see the sense of community and partnership with Anexa strengthened for all club members/clients. Acknowledging that there are a few years of tough times coming she would be looking at ways to support management and staff of Anexa so that they can support farmers in the most appropriate way.