Organic Olive Management (OOM)
Certified organic by NASAA, ACO/BFA, IFOAM & AQIS since 2001, the Kailis Organic Olive Groves Group of Companies comprises one of the largest organic horticultural contractors in Australia, namely Organic Olive Management Limited ("OOM").
OOM oversees the organic management of each of the groups four olive groves at Preston Valley, Avon Valley, Twin Brooks and Dandaragan. OOM is responsible for the key plantation management agreements with Great Southern - key as they control the organic status of the plantations and products, as well as the certification processes.
OOM currently has 1500ha under organic management with a full horticultural team in place. OOM has a board of directors whose focus is providing the best conditions for the operation team to deliver yield and results to our shareholders.
Board of Directors
Chairman - Neil Smith CA AICD
Mr Smith is a Chartered Accountant with more than 23 years experience in Australia & Europe. As a senior partner of the Western Australian Partnership of PKF Chartered Accountants and PKF Corporate Advisory Services, Neil specialises in audit and corporate advisory services with both listed and medium to large sized private companies.
Prof. Lynette Abbott, B.Sc. (Hons) PhD. (Monash)
Lynette Abbott has considerable corporate and professional experience in her roles as Head of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, where as President of the WA Branch of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and as Federal President of the Australian Soil Science Society. Additionally, she chaired the organising committee for a major international conference that was both a financial and academic success. Lynette has also efficiently managed substantial external research funds for more than 25 years.
Lee Verios, LLB
Mr Verios has more than 30 years commercial legal experience in Perth including 5 years as Managing Partner of Parker & Parker (a significant Perth based legal firm), his own legal practice and more recently as Chairman of the Perth office of Deacons (a national law firm) for a period of three years and leader of Deacon's property, environment and planning team in Perth.
Paul Thompson
Paul has over 40 years experience in agri-business including horticulture, viticulture, grain growing and beef cattle production. After completing his formal education at Aquinas College, Paul joined his parents in their farming enterprise. He has held positions as director and shareholder of a number of mining and earth moving companies, further expanding his experience and business interests. He has also held a variety of Board positions with the Wine Industry Association of WA, Australian Regional Winemakers Forum and the Wine Grape Growers Australia Council.
Paul continues to play an active role in his local community, having held positions as Councillor and Vice President and Chief Fire Control Officer in the Shire of Boyup Brook.
Mark Kailis - Managing Director
Mr Kailis has over 22 years agribusiness experience, including 13 years in viticulture and 14 years in olives - growing, producing and marketing extra virgin olive oil on a commercial scale. Between 1994 and 2000 Mark was General Manager of Baldivis Estate Wines. From 2001 onwards he has been Managing Director of Kailis Organic Olive Groves Ltd. Mark has extensive international selling experience, particularly in Europ and USA. He currently sits on many judging panels for Extra Virgin Olive Oil including the national panel for the Australian Olives Association (Australian Olive's peak body) since 2005.