Our People

Andrew Forrest

Chairman of the Board

Andrew Forrest has extensive experience in farming and chemical use as a result of his positions as a spray technician. He owns a mixed farming enterprise in Young NSW. Andrew has served on various State and Federal advisory boards and the board and committees of NSW Farmers Federation.

Andrew Storrie

Trainer / Assessor

With a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Andrew has 38 years of research and extensive experience in Australian agriculture in fields including: dryland cropping and pastures, irrigated cropping and pastures, rangeland management, environmental and agricultural weed management, herbicide drift, and pesticide application.

Andy Cassim

Trainer / Assessor

Andy is an experienced commercial beef/lamb producer and property owner (Braidwood) since 1983. He is also an experienced work place trainer and assessor for 24 years. Previously Andy was a contract chemical sprayer for 8.5 years, the Cattle Coordinator/Director of the Southern Tablelands Beef Cooperative, establishing best practice management in beef production/marketing.

Betsy Flores

Marketing Coordinator

Betsy coordinates day to day marketing activities and projects including increasing visibility, budget plans as well as administrative support to our team, trainers and students. Betsy has a BA in Administration and a Degree in Education. She has worked across a variety of roles in the Public Sector and Higher Education in Mexico and Australia.

Emma Ryding

Operations Manager

Emma has been working at ChemCert since mid-2013 and manages the day to day tasks with all the staff. She also keeps ChemCert on track with compliance and makes sure we meet all necessary regulatory requirements. Emma also has a Bachelor of Arts (Graphic design & Photography) from Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga.

Frank Dempsey

Trainer / Assessor

Frank is our turf and horticulture specialist and has over forty years of experience as a greenkeeper and a horticulturalist. He has held pivotal roles within the turf industry including being Vice President of the NSW Bowling Greenkeepers Association and a Life Member of the Sports Turf Association of NSW.

Graeme Harris

Trainer / Assessor

With a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Education), Graeme has spent his career teaching agriculture at a specialist Agricultural High School , operating and managing two farms at the school. He currently is both a Chemcert Trainer (since 1995) and assessor of hail damage claims for insurance companies. Although retired from school teaching he maintains a keen interest in education and enhancing career possibilities in food and fibre industries in Australia.

Harris Karatzetzos

Chief Technology Officer

Harris has a Bdes Visual Communications (hon). He manages all print & digital projects including being the system architect of the Student Management System. He develops, supports and maintains all IT including the online portal and website. He was awarded the prestigious Museums Australia Multimedia Design Award in 2009 working on educational software.

Ian Johnson

Trainer / Assessor

Ian is a highly skilled versatile ChemCert trainer, Freshcare, LPA Food Safety Auditor, Agsafe Trainer, and Agsafe Premises Chemical Storage & Transport Auditor which includes WHS concepts. He has spent 41 years in advisory roles educating individuals on safe and effective use of Agvet chemicals. Ian has helped over 3600 industry personnel attain ChemCert accreditation. His website is www.ijagservices.com.au

James Hauville

Enrolment Centre Coordinator

James has over 10 years of contact centre and customer service experience. He has worked in RTO before with an emphasis on small group, correspondence, online and distance education. He runs the contact centre and manages all inbound enquiries.

John Ashby

Trainer / Assessor

With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, John has many years of experience in Regulatory and Product Development with Bayer CropScience and predecessor companies commencing with Hoechst Aust. Ltd. in 1982. His experience is in both management and field levels providing a wide base of professional knowledge and expertise for product development, regulatory approval and technical advice.

Jon Bennett

Trainer / Assessor

Jon has a vast array of experience in the crop protection and chemical industries. Jon has a degree in Agri-Business from Iowa, USA. He has also obtained post-graduate qualifications in both Cotton & Grains production from UNE and Business from CSU. Jon is currently based in Dubbo, NSW working for a multi-national agro chemical manufacturer. Jon enjoys helping growers and other end-users on how to safely use agricultural chemicals and get the most out of them through correct application techniques.

Jonathan Pearson

Course Developer / Head Trainer

Joining Chemcert 10 years ago as course developer, Jonathan has had the privilege of providing chemical user training as far west as Christmas Island through to Norfolk Island in the east, in both instances sharing experiences with great people. Jonathan has an Ag science degree, managing a mixed farming enterprise plus time in industry with spray equipment OEM, Silvan Australia.

Landon Hodgkinson

Director

Landon's family has been farming for over 150 years within the Yass district. Landon comes with extensive experience both within the farming sector, financial and financial management sectors.

He is a licensed financial broker with over 10 years experience, in the development of financial facilities for a number of commercial developments. Provided “seed capital” for HAS Solutions, prior to being sold to the ASX listed company I-Soft.

Linda Green

Trainer / Assessor

Linda grew up on an apple orchard and sheep farm in the Adelaide Hills. She has broad experience in the farm industry having worked on many projects in this field. At ChemCert Linda brings her expertise to assist students with their chemical safety courses online.

Mark Pedlar

Trainer / Assessor

Mark’s 50 years in research and development of agricultural chemicals on both sides of the globe, culminating in national roles in Australia give him an excellent comprehension of the subject. He combines this with over two decades in training both face to face and online.

Mike Carter

Trainer / Assessor

Mike Carter owns his own business called ProLawn, based in Pymble. He has been in the horticultural/ turf industry for 43 years, and in fact was inspired by our own Frank Dempsey to follow the turf industry. He has worked in USA, Ireland and Australia, and holds qualifications in horticulture, turf management, and landscape construction. He enjoys meeting people from all walks of life and has always wanted to teach, with Chemcert fulfilling this.

Phil Morrow

Trainer / Assessor

Over 45 years experience in the field research, development, regulation and marketing of agrichemicals globally, Phil draws on a great depth of knowledge of pesticide usage, handling and application.

Phil Tucker

Trainer / Assessor

Phil is a WHS consultant and has over 40 years of experience in the manufacture and distribution of pesticides. He has delivered the ChemCert Course to a diverse range of students including council staff, contractors and community groups, such as CDEP and Landcare.

Richard Way

Director & Deputy Chairman

Richard is the current Chairman of ChemCert (SA) Incorporated and a director of ChemCert and on the ChemCert (SA) Board for over 10 years. Richard has held several senior positions in the South Australia Farmers Federation. Richard runs a consolidated grain and sheep enterprise.

Robert Kakoschke

Trainer / Assessor

Rob holds a major in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Adelaide and has worked as a Chemical Trainer for over 14 years. Throughout his career Rob has gained extensive knowledge and experience in the Agricultural sector, allowing him to assist small businesses and any producers of food for public consumption, to achieve levels of assured quality, and hence, broaden their market opportunities.

Robert Wythes

Trainer / Assessor

Robert specialises in seed, wool and livestock production. He is heavily involved within the agricultural industry being a member of the NSW Farmers, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Kondinin Group and the Australian Pulse Co-operative.

Rod Cameron

Trainer / Assessor

Rod Cameron has been in agricultural training sector for many years. He is also a property owner with experience running feeder cattle, Dorper sheep, growing crops for grain and fodder and growing improved pasture.

Sarah Edyvean

Finance Manager

Sarah has a strong background in finance and administration and is the contact at ChemCert for all accounts receivable and payable.

Sarah also liaises with both trainers and students on a daily basis ensuring that all queries are answered and students documents are sent out in a timely manner.

Sharon Robinson

Trainer / Assessor

Sharon, is ChemCert’s newest trainer in Queensland. She will be able to bring her experience of Freshcare Food Safety & Quality standards, Freshcare Environmental certification and compliance for Workplace Health and Safety knowledge into ChemCert courses.

Stewart McIntosh

Trainer / Assessor

Stewart has worked in Agricultural industry for over 20 years across a wide range of roles including sales, operations management, a field officer, authorised officer and in consultancy within the Agricultural industry. During his time in the industry he has conducted chemical trials on a selection of proclaimed weeds, conducted onsite training and conducted 'Strike' trials for pre-commercial release of products.

Tanya Ginns

Trainer / Assessor

Tanya has worked in the rural agricultural industry for 20 years involving agronomic advice, livestock production, grain marketing, rural education and training and natural resource management. She specialises in cotton, seeds and wheat, with a Diploma of Applied Science (Agriculture). For the last 6 years Tanya worked for the NSW Department Primary Industries (DPI) as an Education Officer, delivering training and assessment in chemical storage and handling.

Vern Allen

Trainer / Assessor

Vern is an expert in animal health due to his many years as Sales Manager at Fort Dodge which sells veterinary medicines. He uses his knowledge to explain the applications, safety and benefits of animal health products to cattle and sheep farmers across Australia.

Victoria Bell

Enrolment Centre Manager

Victoria has a wide range of experience in everything from customer service, office administration, junior accounting and travel consulting, and is eager to learn more and grow with the ChemCert team. She has a Bachelor and Master degree in International Studies from Macquarie University.

Vincent Wong

Enrolment Consultant

A Bachelors of Science graduate from Western Sydney, Vinnie has 5 years of retail and customer service experience. With a background in chemistry, biology and agriculture, he helps James and Victoria in the contact centre, managing inbound enquiries. He plans to improve his skillsets and grow within ChemCert.