Who is Centre State Exports?
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Jeff Voigt, Managing Director
Jeff has always been involved in agriculture. From a farm in Horsham, he moved to
South Australia to study agriculture at the University of Adelaide. Since graduating
in the mid 1980s, Jeff spent 10 years as a farm adviser in agronomy, both with Primary
Industries and Resources SA and BL Lange and Co rural merchandise company on Yorke
Peninsula. He then moved to the position of Manager Sales and Marketing for BL Lange
& Co before being appointed IAMA’s national leader of agronomic services. Jeff joined
Centre State in the mid 1990s and has worked hands on in the business since then,
overseeing the growth of the company to what it is today. As Managing Director,
he is responsible for the overall business as well as being involved in day to day
operations, with a particular focus on trading and risk management. Jeff is a shareholder
and Director on the Centre State Exports Board.
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Ben Lange, Commodity Trader
Ben grew up in the family Yorke Peninsula agribusiness and on finishing school,
moved into rural merchandise like his father and grandfather before him. He has
worked for Centre State Exports since its inception and is involved in every aspect
of the business, with particular focus on managing the sales and container part
of the business. Ben’s many years in the business has seen him establish a substantial
network of reliable local and international buyers that he works with to secure
the best return for growers' grain. A passionate fisherman, Ben can often be seen on a weekend
returning mid morning into Balgowan on Yorke Peninsula, having bagged out early.
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Paul Lange, Grower Services Manager
Like his older brother Ben, Paul grew up living and breathing the family agribusiness
on Yorke Peninsula, and then studied at Roseworthy Agricultural College after boarding
at Sacred Heart College in Adelaide. Having worked in a range of agriculture related
jobs, Paul joined Centre State Exports in 2001 as the ‘link man’ on the road, calling
on clients and making sure the company is in tune with the needs of grain producers.
Paul’s knowledge and experience has developed over the years and he is now in charge
of all things related to grower services. Paul’s greatest asset is his empathy with
growers and his commitment to the highest possible level of customer service. He
firmly believes that he has to earn the business of all his clients and this is
reflected in the standards that he sets for both himself and his co-workers around
him.
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Dan Martens, Grower Services
Dan joined the Centre State grower services team in 2011 and comes with 15 years
experience in the South Australian grain industry. Raised in the South East of South
Australia Dan commenced his career working in the family grain business as a grower
services officer providing contract and market information to growers. For the last
10 years Dan has worked as a commodities broker in Adelaide with Teague Australia.
In this time Dan has gained vast knowledge of the grain industry supply chain across
Australia, brokering a range of crops including all pulses, wheat, barley, canola
and cotton seed. This experience and Dan’s understanding and affinity with South
Australian agriculture will ensure he is a valuable member of the Centre State grower
services team. This role will see Dan out and about across the State visiting on
farm and at field days along with being a friendly voice on the phone over harvest.
Outside of work Dan’s interests other than his young family include being a Melbourne
Demons footy supporter and the occasional golfer.
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Heidi Pycroft, Trade Assistant
Like most at Centre State Heidi has a rural background having grown up in Bute on
Yorke Peninsula and completed Year 12 at the Kadina Memorial High School. From
school Heidi joined grain handling and packing company Balco Grain Services and
worked in several roles including stock coordinator over a 2 year period. In late
2009 Heidi moved to Adelaide to join Centre State Exports as the part time bookkeeper
and to commence study of a law/finance degree at Adelaide University. In mid 2010
Heidi deferred her study to take up to her current and full time position of Trade
Assistant with Centre State. Her main roles include sales documentation, shipping
and logistics and supporting the Grower Services team. Heidi is a keen sportsperson
and brings her country passion for life to the Centre State team.
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Jean Blasbery, Commodity/Contract Administrator
Jean has 20 years experience in the grain industry in South Australia, having previously
worked in the AWB SA office and with SACBH/Ausbulk Grain Marketing. For over 5 years
now Jean has been responsible for the set up and maintenance of the Centre State
Exports commodity management system, ensuring your grain is received, processed
and paid for promptly as well as processing our sales transactions. Jean is a passionate
Crows supporter.
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Cassie Chapman, Office Manager
As Office Manager Cassie’s friendly voice will often be your first contact when
you call Centre State. Having grown up in Strathalbyn Cassie then spent 5 years
in the International freight forwarding industry before joining Centre State in
early 2011. Cassie has significant experience in dealing with a wide range of customers
both locally and internationally along with all aspects of office management and
customer service. Cassie’s friendly nature and commitment to customer service will
ensure you continue to experience the high level of service you have come to expect
from the Centre State office.
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Training and Professional Development
Centre State Exports is committed to the ongoing professional development of staff. Team members have undertaken various training/study programs including Grain Trade Australia accredited courses covering all aspects of the grain trade such as contract terms and conditions, trade rules, quality standards, understanding grain markets.
