Scion appoints new directors

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

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