ABGC announces retirement of CEO

Dear Growers

Australian Banana Growers’ Council chair Stephen Lowe will tomorrow officially announce the retirement of long-serving CEO Jim Pekin. 

Mr Lowe and Mr Pekin wanted to ensure ABGC members and banana growers more broadly heard the news first, with the retirement to take effect in November. 

Plans in place to ensure smooth transition

Plans to make the transition to a new CEO as seamless as possible have been in place for over a year, with support from the ABGC Board and senior staff. Mr Pekin will continue to run the ABGC for the next six months, and work with the new CEO when appointed.

The ABGC Board has employed a recruitment agency who will advertise for a new CEO this week. 

A strong legacy

Mr Pekin was appointed the role of CEO in the wake of Cyclone Yasi in 2011. 

“I’ve seen first-hand the amount of time, passion and effort he has put into this industry behind the scenes,” Mr Lowe said, adding that Mr Pekin had successfully represented industry – through strategy and advocacy – on all banana issues. 

Mr Pekin has played a key role in the management of TR4 in Queensland and the eradication of Banana Freckle in the Northern Territory. His time with the ABGC caps off a career that has spanned more than 40 years in agricultural industry development. 

Passionate about industry

Mr Pekin said it had been a privilege to get to know, learn from and work with Board Members and other banana growers. 

“Australian banana growers are world leaders at what they do, and I thank them for being so generous with their time, knowledge and friendliness,” Mr Pekin said.

“When I retire in November, I will miss this industry which I am very passionate about. It is such an incredibly vibrant industry. I will also miss the staff at ABGC and others I have chewed over banana issues with over my years in this role.”

Further information

Growers who would like further information about this news are welcome to contact ABGC via info@abgc.org.au or 07 3278 4938. ABGC will communicate developments relating to this position as they come to hand.