Jerky boss recognised

Accolades for Garden City woman

TOOWOOMBA’S Emily Pullen, CEO of family-owned and much-loved business Jim’s Jerky, has been named the 2019 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion at a Cattle Council Gala Dinner in Canberra.

Emily is a trained agronomist and the CEO of her family’s business, based outside Toowoomba.

Having been involved in the beef industry for most of her life, she is passionate about the role beef producers play in telling their own production stories.

Now in its ninth year, the NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion Initiative is run by the Cattle Council of Australia and aims to empower and support young, passionate members of the Australian beef industry.

Cattle Council of Australia CEO Margo Andrae congratulated Emily on her achievement, and outlined the importance of encouraging young members of the cattle industry to take on leadership roles.

“Emily has the commitment, motivation and leadership skills that will stand our industry in good stead for years to come,” Ms Andrae said.

“We need to continue encouraging young people to step into leadership roles, and work to equip them with the skills and networks they need to master those roles when they get there.

“Fostering the pipeline of future cattle industry leaders is critical to the future success of the sector, and that’s why I’m delighted we have once again been able to provide all seven of the Rising Champion State and Territory finalists with a platform to build their leadership skills.

“Emily is an impressive young member of our industry, and I look forward to seeing what more she achieves over the coming years.”

Customer executive NAB Agribusiness Neil Findlay said the bank was proud to support the program for talented young beef industry leaders, having backed the initiative since its inception in 2010.

“We are thrilled to have supported the Rising Champion Initiative once again, and I warmly congratulate Emily on the award,” he said.

The award is supported by NAB Agribusiness, McDonald’s, Fairfax Media and the state farming organisations.

Photo: Contributed PROUD MOMENT: Cattle Council president Howard Smith presents Jim’s Jerky CEO Emily Pullen with the 2019 NAB Agribusiness National Rising Champion trophy.