Regional Managers
Lachlan Bowtell
Middle East and North Africa
Lachlan Bowtell is MLA's Regional Manager for the Middle East and North Africa. He joined MLA in 2009, with more than 10 years experience in the red meat industry. Lachlan spent the first 13 years of his career as a chef with several major global hotel groups. From there he moved into sales and marketing roles in the food manufacturing sector in both domestic and international markets. He joined the then Meat & Livestock Corporation in 1995 as a NSW State Foodservice Manager where he successfully increased the penetration of red meat options on menus. Lachlan has held several roles with MLA including National Foodservice Manager and Trade Marketing Manager.
Melanie Brock
Japan
Melanie Brock is MLA's Regional Manager for Japan. Melanie has lived and worked in Japan for close to 20 years and has strong links with the Japanese business community. Prior to her position at MLA, Melanie developed a strong food importing business, Agenda, and represented many Australian companies. Agenda provided market entry support for businesses looking to develop their base/brand in Japan. Melanie worked hard to increase the profile of Australian food and wine within the Japanese trading and broader business community. Melanie is a Board member of the Australia-Japan Foundation and sits on the Executive Committee of the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee. Melanie has held the position of Chair of the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan since April 2010. Melanie was included in the Advance '50 current and emerging female leaders living in the Asia Pacific' list in March 2011. Melanie originally trained as a simultaneous interpreter.
Stephen Edwards
North America
Stephen Edwards is MLA's Regional Manager for North America. Prior to this Stephen worked for the last three years as MLA's Business Development Manager in the North American office. Stephen's other roles at MLA included working in the MLA Domestic Marketing team as State Manager for South Australia and the Northern Territory and also as MSA representative. Stephen spent the first 32 years of his career as a chef, working in Australia and Europe and owning two restaurants.
Aaron Iori
South-East Asia and Greater China
Aaron Iori is MLA's Regional Manager of South-East Asia and Greater China. In this role, Aaron travels extensively throughout the region implementing programs and overseeing these rapidly expanding markets and locally-based MLA offices. Aaron started work with the former NSW Meat Industry Authority and moved into the Livestock Reporting Service unit. He assisted in establishing a standardised National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) and managed this operation from 2004. Prior to becoming a regional manager, Aaron was responsible for the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) at MLA. Aaron holds a degree in Agribusiness from the University of Sydney and has worked on mixed farming enterprises in the southern tablelands and central west NSW.
Jason Strong
Europe and Russia
Jason Strong is MLA's Regional Manager for Europe and Russia. He has over 20 years experience across the beef supply chain. Previously Jason was Head of New Market Development for Pfizer Animal Genetics based in Brisbane and prior to joining Pfizer, Jason was Manager of the MSA Grading Services. Jason has a complete supply chain understanding, having owned a stud and commercial cattle property at Gunnedah through to high end butcher shops in Brisbane. Jason has also been involved in broader industry activities as a Director of the Australian Beef Industry Foundation and as one of the drivers behind the Intercollegiate Meat Judging program.
MLA is currently recruiting a new Regional Manager for Korea.
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