Our Board
Ross Anderson – Chairman
Ross joined the Hico board in August 2016. Ross started his career as a carpenter working both interstate and overseas before moving back to the family farm in Denison over 10 years ago. Ross share farms with his parents Graeme and Chris and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the farm.
Ross bring a fresh approach to the Hico board having spent time out of the industry before returning to the home farm. Ross has gained recent experience participating in Victorian Government agriculture programs and the Murray Goulburn Supplier Consultative Committee and sits as a Director on the GippsDairy Board.
Andrew Verboon – Deputy Chairman
Andrew joined the board as an independent director in August 2014 and was elected as a director in August 2016. He comes from the Korumburra region and represents our younger generation of shareholders. Both his parents held director positions on co-operatives and his father, Bill Verboon, is a former director of the dairy milk processor Murray Goulburn and his late mother Leanne was a former director at Hico.
Andrew and his wife Rebecca have two young children and have farmed for over ten years operating a 350 cow farm in Ruby near Leongatha South, with plans to increase their herd size in the near future.
Josie Zilm – Independent Director
Biographic information will be uploaded soon.
Lisa McDonald – Independent Director
Lisa grew up on a farm in Flynn, later moving to Traralgon. She pursued studies in Melbourne, gaining a Diploma of Teaching (Primary) at Christ College (now Australian Catholic University) and a Bachelor of Education (Adult) at Melbourne University. From 1989 to 2002 Lisa was employed at WorkCover where she held a number of positions working her way up to Manager, Education and Training. In 2002 Lisa re-located to Longford working for the Wellington Shire Council where she was responsible for re-developing the Council Planning and supportive legislative processes. In 2008 Lisa joined the Department of Defence – Capability and Acquisition Group – Air Training and Aviation Common Systems Program Office.
Lisa values a collaborative approach, respectfully seeking to work with and through a team to achieve results. Lisa brings a range of experiences to her role as an Independent Board Member for Hico.
Josh De Jong – Independent Director
Josh joined the Hico board in January 2016, filling a casual vacancy left by Mary Brown who retired later in 2015. Josh was then invited to join the Hico board in October 2016 as an Independent Director. Josh together with his wife Ellie and parents Jos and Winsome run a 450 cow farm at Irrewillipe East in Western Victoria. Josh has a strong passion for the dairy industry and believes strongly in the value of herd testing and artificial insemination for future growth and development of herds.
Craig Bennett – Director
Craig joined the Hico Board in October 2018. Craig and wife Sophie purchased their dairy farm located at Simpson in 2007. Craig milks 320 Holstein cows that are registered under the Dellyn stud prefix. Craig has an Advanced Diploma in Farm Business Management and has gained experience as leader of the local Coorimungle Discussion Group as well as being on a milk processors farm advisory committee. Craig was an early adopter of herd testing believing it an invaluable asset in improving your herd performance and farm profitability.
Jon Ryan – Director
Jon Ryan joined the Hico Board as an independent Director in March 2018. Jon has a Diploma of Agribusiness and grew up on a dairy farm in south western Victoria. Jon has grown his dairy business via leasing and share farming and together with his wife Lauren purchased their own farm in 2015. Jon, Lauren and their daughters Lucy and Amelia farm 360 cows in the Macalister irrigation district of Gippsland.