Ross Hyland, Managing Director

Ross was a VFM Gold Medalist from Lincoln University and subsequently attended Harvard University’s Agri-business short course in Boston, USA.

Ross has owned and managed dairy, sheep, beef and deer farming operations and has been involved in some of the largest Maori Trust properties in New Zealand.

He was leading farm consultant and had his own consultancy practice in the Bay of Plenty region for nearly ten years before buying Seales Ltd in 1997.

Ross is driven by a need to improve ruminant nutrition for all New Zealand dairy farmers through custom blended stockfeed. No other feed manufacturer or supplier has the vision or capacity to offer such a unique service. Through his passion, Ross has been able to share his vision with the wider rural community and create such demand for custom blended stockfeed that Seales continues to grow in the face of increased competition and the current economic downturn.

Ross has created a significant profile in the New Zealand dairy sector, through personalised radio advertising and is a frequent speaker on nationwide and local farming radio programmes. Ross has recently taken up the opportunity for public speaking to industry and professional groups, e.g. Rotary groups, Westpac Business Awards, South Waikato District Council, Mayoral breakfast. His iconic “Get Over To Morrinsville” slogan has gained a persona of its own and now forms a significant part of Seales branding. He has developed significant contacts internationally and has accepted opportunities to be a key note speaker globally.

Over the 12 years of ownership under Ross’s Management Seales has grown annual sales from $1.2 million to $30 million and staff from three to 40. Production of compound feed in the same time has increased from 1200 tonnes in 1997 to 50,000 tonnes today. Ross’s enthusiasm and boundless energy and commitment to Seales remain as strong as ever.

His goal as Managing Director is to provide strong leadership and clear direction in strategic and operational matters, while ensuring ready access at all levels of the organisation from factory staff to senior management.

Ross was named as the Service Category Winner and finalist in the 2009 Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards which is a significant national achievement.

Ross is a keen and talented golfer,and enjoys sport, fishing and entertaining with friends.

Email ross@sealesfeed.co.nz

Athol Ryan, Chief Financial Officer

Athol spent 21 years in the banking and finance sector, following which he established his own consultancy business specialising in MYOB accounting software training and support, and providing other management and consultancy services to SME’s.

Athol has been involved with Seales since late 1999, initially on a consultancy basis and in March 2009 took over as full time CFO. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial and management issues to the senior Seales team.

His interests include fishing and sport and he is an enthusiastic part time musician.

Email athol@sealesfeed.co.nz

Daniel Calcinai, Group Sales & Marketing Manager

Prior to joining Seales Ltd in May 2009, Daniel spent a little over four years at Fonterra based in Hamilton/Morrinsville. During his time at Fonterra he was responsible for the management of Colostrum, Winter Milk and Stolle programmes nationwide. Before this Daniel spent time as an Area Manager for Schering Plough Coopers, an animal health company following on from four years managing the Te Kuiti branch of Wrightson.

Daniel was raised in Hangatiki which is situated between Te Kuiti and Otorohanga and has always been involved in farming and the rural industry. 

Email daniel@sealesfeed.co.nz

Miles Rashleigh, Group Operations Manager

Miles joined the Seales team in January 2008 as Production Manager and was promoted into the position of Group Operations Manager in February 2009.

Miles has worked in Operations for the past 28 years in various manufacturing roles. Miles worked in the Therapeutic Goods industry for nine years manufacturing vitamin and mineral supplements, cosmetics and household products before moving into manufacturing fortified foods to enhance muscle growth and development. Miles then went to work for Bluebird/Goodman Fielder, NZ’s largest snack food manufacturer for 11 years. Miles then took up a position in Melbourne with Sakata/Pepsi Co manufacturing rice crackers. In his time in Melbourne Miles was responsible for up to 180 staff. After a period of three years Miles returned to New Zealand to join Seales.

Email miles@sealesfeed.co.nz

Tony Moffat, Business Development Manager

Tony joined the Seales team in March 2006 after spending more than ten years with LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation), in a variety of roles including Quality Systems Manager, Herd Test Business Manager, and Testlink Laboratories Manager where he was responsible for the analysis of all herd test samples in New Zealand.

In his new role as Business Development Manager Tony brings a wealth of experience in systems and quality, along with strategic implementation.

His interests include sport, family, and oenology.

Email tony@sealesfeed.co.nz

Sue Brown, Personal Assistant to Ross Hyland/Managing Director

After spending 25 years with LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation) in a variety of roles including that of National Herd Testing Operations Manager, Sue became involved in a maize growing operation in the Waikato. During this period Sue also worked part-time as an administrator for the Ultra-Scan National Group of Franchises, before joining the Seales team in January 2006. Prior to LIC, Sue completed four years as a nurse at the Tauranga Public Hospital.

Sue lives on a lifestyle block just out of Morrinsville and has a great love of animals and during her spare time she is actively involved in the Waikato Branch of the SPCA.

Email sue@sealesfeed.co.nz

Dr Andrew West General Manager Strategy and Research & Development

Prior to Dr Andy West joining Seales in July 2010 as General Manager Strategy  and Research & Development, Dr West was CEO of AgResearch, of NZQA and of Geological & Nuclear Sciences.

Dr West was the inaugural Executive Chairman of Tertiary Education Commission and continues to hold various roles as Company Chairman and Company Director.  He has been a senior public servant for the Ministry of Research, Science & Technology and has been a personal advisor to Cabinet Ministers of Science.  Dr West is currently on the board of the Waikato Innovation Park and chairs its subsidiaries: Dairy SolutioNZ and Beef SolutioNZ.  Dr West is also chairman of Gen-i’s Rural Zone Advisory Board.

Dr West will assist Seales expand the contribution of science and technology toward the feeding of ruminant animals - cows, cattle, sheep and deer in New Zealand and intends to work with leading scientists, particularly those at Ag Research and at Massey and Lincoln Universities, to progress Seales science based approach to nutrition.

Dr West is married with three children and his interests include motorcyles, garden design, science and the arts.