• Board & Executive
  • National Management Team


The Premier Fruits Group Board consists of major shareholders and independent directors.


  Michael O’Keeffe  
 


Chairman
The Premier Fruits Group values Michael as a key contributor to the group's strategic growth and development decision making.  Michael's extensive background includes several years as National Business Manager with Franklins Supermarkets as well as heading up Rabobank's Agribusiness Advisory Group and Monash University’s Agribusiness Research Unit. His past and current clients include Waitrose UK, Wrightson NZ, AWB Limited, Monsanto, Graincorp, Grainco, Incitec, and Westfarmers.
 
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  Anthony Di Pietro  
 


C.E.O
In 1998 Anthony became a director of Premier Fruits and in 2003 was appointed CEO and director of all Premier Group Companies. Anthony joined the industry in 1990 after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne that included studies in Agricultural Economics.

Anthony is also non-executive director of Melbourne Victory Football Club, the sole Victorian participant in the elite National Hyundai A-League.


Anthony is the Head of the Premier Fruits Group 'Executive Team'.
 
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  John D Horan  
 


Chief Financial Officer
John has recently joined the Premier Fruits Group bringing with him over twenty (20) years industry experience in wholesale distribution businesses. With qualifications that include Bachelor of Economics and CPA (Associate), John has spent the last ten years in senior Finance management roles in listed and multinational companies.

In the role of C.F.O. John's key responsibilities extend to:
-  The financial and management reporting of all trading entities within the Premier Fruits   Group;
-  Internal systems development with the goal of streamlining processes, achieving efficiencies and support
to suppliers and customers;
-  overseeing corporate governance for the Group;
-  And all reporting to the Board.

John is a member of the Premier Fruits Group 'Executive Team'.

 
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  Mark LoGiudice  
 


Director
Mark is actively involved in the property management of Premier Farms and Premier Distribution Centres nationally. Mark is also a director of the Crawford's Group of Companies, which are a property development, management and investments group.

In 2010 Mark was appointed to the board of the Carlton Football Club, a major participant of the Australian Football League.

Mark is also a long standing committee person of 'RCH 1000' which is actively involved in research fund raising for the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital.

 
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  Dean Gall  
 


National Sales Manager
As National Sales Manager, Dean's responsibility includes the ongoing management and development of retail customer relationships and programs direct from Premier Farms and in conjunction with Premier supply partners.  

Dean is actively involved in the ongoing & continuous improvement of supply chain management throughout the east coast distribution network.

Dean is a member of the Premier Fruits Group 'Executive Team'.

 
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  Joe Petroro  
 


Director
Joe is actively involved in sales on the Melbourne Markets trading floor. Joe enjoys an extensive network of farming & customer relationships now aligned to the business.  Joe has over 40 years experience in fresh produce, commencing in retail where he was awarded with the prestigious Retailer of the year award in 1992.  Joe is a past President of the Victorian Fruit & Vegetable Retailers Association and director of the Melbourne Market Trust (now Melbourne Market Authority).  
 
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  Frank Madafferi  
 


Director
Frank joined Premier Fruits in 1999 and specialises in the sales and marketing of all Tomato lines. Frank contributes an extensive knowledge of tomato varieties and seasonal variations. Frank has extensive grower relationships in Northern Queensland, Bundaberg, Victoria & Western Australia, which are critical to the consistency of supply to Premiers’ customer base.
 
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  Bruce McPhail  
 


O.H.M. Australia (External Board Advisor)
Bruce provides strategic financial counsel to the Board, having an extensive background in the financial and management sectors. He is a Director of O.H.M. Australia, a leading accounting, financial and superannuation firm.

Bruce is a member of the Premier Fruits Group 'Executive Team'

 
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Sydney Management Team

  Joe Barbara   Bruno Barbara      
 

Managing Director
Col Johnson & Co
Pty Ltd
 

Sales Manager
Col Johnson & Co
Pty Ltd



 
     



Perth Management Team

  Mark Hobbs   Laurie Femia   Russell Ivatts  
 

General Manager
Fresh Choice W.A.
Pty Ltd
 

Sales Manager Fruit
Fresh Choice W.A.
Pty Ltd




Sales Manager Vegetables
Fresh Choice W.A.
Pty Ltd
 
 
 


Melbourne Management Team

  Frank Di Pietro   Laurie Benvenuto   Michael Petroro      
 

Sales Manager
Premier Fruits Pty Ltd
 

Sales
Premier Fruits Pty Ltd
 

Sales
Premier Fruits Pty Ltd


   
 
 


Brisbane Management Team

  Todd Moraitis   David Grasso          
 

General Manager
Premier Fruits Brisbane Pty Ltd
 

Sales
Premier Fruits Brisbane Pty Ltd
   

   
 
 


Farms Management - Childers, QLD

  Edwin Tesch          
 

Farm Manager
Premier Farms Pty Ltd
         
 
 
Farms Management - Whitton, NSW

  Pat Mancini          
 

Managing Director
Clear Lake Citrus Pty Ltd (NSW Farming J.V.)