FRUITWEST - Key Persons
A trained nurse, Ann married into an orchardist family and became deeply involved in the industry with husband Maurie, and in more recent years with their son Tim and his family. Ann has a keen interest in and is motivated to ensure the WA fruit industry is viable and sustainable for today's growers and the generations that will follow. As Chair of the Sustainable Rural Development Group (a DAFWA reference group) Ann undertook a study tour of the United States and Europe investigating catchment management, agri-tourism, community supported agriculture and sustainable land development. Appreciating the importance of export marketing, Ann has also visited overseas markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East to understand their needs and preferences, and is one of just a handful of WA growers actively exporting apples. Ann has had a long association with many community groups at both a local and regional level. She was instrumental in establishing the Manjimup Farmers Markets, has held leadership roles in APC Producers' Committees and is an inaugural director of Fruit West Co-operative Ltd.
Job Titles:
- Director
- General Manager of Karragullen Cool Storage
Mario Casotti is General Manager of Karragullen Cool Storage, a third generation vertically integrated fruit growing, packing, transport and sales company. The property portfolio includes apple, pear and stone fruit orchards in Gingin, Donnybrook, Mullalyup, Balingup and Manjimup with packing sheds in Kirup and Karragullen. The company supplies all the major chains as well as independent retailers and the Perth wholesale market. After graduating from Mazenod College as a 16 year old Mario has, at some stage, had a hands on role in every facet of the family's businesses and became Managing Director on the retirement of family patriarch Neil Casotti in 2008. As General Manager, Mario continues to be involved in many aspects of the packing, orchard and logistics work which provides an all-important understanding of the industry when negotiating supply agreements with major retailers and other outlets. Mario has grown the Group's activities through the strategic acquisition and development of key orchard properties and packing facilities. His imaginative work in the area of latest best practice production techniques and water utilisation has captured the interest of growers as well as people outside the horticultural field with Mario a keen advocate of orchard based research to lift yields and quality while reducing costs. Mario accepted an invitation to join the Fruit West Co- operative board in early 2016 and has been a strong advocate for greater grower engagement in the horticultural industry. He absolutely loves Bravo™ as it has such appealing qualities for both the grower and the retailer with none of the drawbacks other apples have. Such is his passion that at the launch of Bravo™ he remarked that it made him so happy he wanted to cry!
Mark began orcharding in the Perth Hills in 1979 at the aged of 19 years and is known for his innovative approach to trialling new production methods in the pursuit of excellence. Graduating with a Degree in Agricultural Science from The University of WA in 1983, Mark has developed family orchards using Tatura Trellis for peach, cherry and plum production. Mark continues to evaluate new techniques of tree training, irrigation, soil management and fruit fly control. He focuses on growing and picking fruit at peak maturity to maximise the consumer's eating experience and has researched and applied the use of non- destructive NIR fruit maturity testing technology. Mark has been an active participant and office holder in various fruit industry bodies since the early 1980's. As a Fruit West Co-operative Director since 2012, Mark has been focused on finding positive pathways for growers and the wider industry to be profitable and sustainable and continues to explore cutting edge science and technology in the production and marketing of fruit to meet growers' needs and consumer expectations.
Michael Sertorio has worked in a range of blue chip global companies, he moved into private equity investment and company management across the fresh food, retail, labour hire, construction services and technology sectors over the last 25 years. He looks to grow value in companies working with owners and executives including strategy development, financial & organisational restructuring, capital raising and M&A.