For Immediate Release
28 July, 2006
Scion appoints new directors
Crown Research Institute Scion, based in Rotorua, has announced three new appointments to its board of directors.
John Palmer, Peter Berg and Dr Kathy Garden commenced board duties with the CRI this week. [[sub: Wednesday 26 July]]
Scion board chairman, Dr Russ Ballard, says all three appointees bring a wide variety of skills and expertise to Scion.
"I am delighted to welcome John, Peter and Kathy to our board.
"Our vision is to support the continual development of the forestry sector and transform renewable biological resources
into new products that are cost-effective, deliver the same or better performance as existing products and have an
environmentally acceptable end-of-life option. The combined knowledge and experience of our new directors will help us
achieve this vision," says Dr Ballard.
"There is a growing global demand for natural materials that can be used as an alternative to petro-chemical products.
Increasing the expertise we have on our board will help us deliver this strategy for the benefit of New Zealand and its
future development," Dr Ballard says.
Mr Palmer has extensive experience in the forestry and construction industries. He was the chief executive officer of
start-up Silva Forest Products, an Auckland-based joint venture company by New Zealand's two largest foresters to export
logs to Asia. Mr Palmer previously worked for construction chemicals company, Fosroc, where over a period of 18 years he
held roles such as regional director for Europe, chief executive for China/Hong Kong, and chief executive for New
Zealand.
Mr Berg is a forestry business manager and advisor. He is the chairman of New Zealand Forestry and Pentarch Forest
Products and president of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association. Mr Berg is also a fellow of the New Zealand
Institute of Forestry (NZIF) and is the 2006 NZIF Forester of the Year.
Dr Garden is pro vice chancellor and dean of the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies at AUT University. She is a
fellow of New Zealand's Institution of Professional Engineers and a member of the Institute of Directors. Dr Garden has
held senior positions in academia, government and business and has research interests in applying medical imaging
technologies to the meat and forestry industries.
The three new directors replace Bryce Whitcher and Giff Davidson on the Scion Board.
ENDS