To ensure that the largest farms in New Zealand receive the level of service that they require, Ballance has a specialist team of technical sales representatives who deal specifically with these more complex farming operations.
The Ballance key accounts sales team comprises the following:
Nicole Bowis started work as technical sales representative for the Rakaia region in September 2008, having joined Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd as a trainee technical sales representative in March 2008. In December 2010 she transferred to South Canterbury and in mid 0211 she was appointed to the role of key accounts representative.
Nicole attended Massey University in 2005 to study Veterinary Science and then headed to Lincoln University to complete a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture, majoring in Farm Management. Throughout this degree she gained valuable work experience on sheep, beef and dairy farms in the district and on a high country station.
Nicole's practical experience and education enable her to offer sound advice to customers, helping them to maximise their farm returns in today's challenging environment.
Nicole's interests include various sports such as netball, basketball, skiing and watersports, along with a passion for racehorses.
Jason Griffin joined Ballance in November 2007 as technical sales representative for the Rangitikei and Wanganui region. In February 2011 he was promoted to key accounts representative.
Having initially worked as a loader driver in the aerial topdressing industry, Jason then spent time as a seasonal tractor driver, working for an arable contractor. For the last eight years he has been employed on the family farm, gaining valuable practical experience and an appreciation of the challenges facing today's farmers.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in accounting at Massey University. He is a keen aviator and often spends his weekends dropping skydivers over Dannevirke.
Aaron Pemberton joined Ballance in June 2001 as the Technical Sales Representative for the Pukekohe district. In November 2004 he transferred to the southern King Country, a move that saw him return to the district in which he grew up. In April 2008 he was promoted to the position of key accounts representative.
Aaron's farming interest has its roots in his childhood, where he quickly learnt the fundamentals as he grew up on the family dairy farm in the King Country. He went on to achieve an honours degree in agricultural science at Lincoln University, and furthered his practical education by working on both dairy and sheep and beef farms.
The opportunity to get out and meet a variety of farmers is one aspect of the job that Aaron really enjoys. He also gets satisfaction from being able to combine his scientific knowledge of farming with the practical realities facing his customers.
When he's not working, Aaron likes to indulge in some fishing and spend time with his family.
Richard Preston's career at Ballance began in the early 1990s at SouthFert as a field representative for Central Otago, covering a large territory that included the McKenzie Basin and the West Coast. In 2003 Richard was promoted to key accounts representative for the Lower South Island.
Richard's previous farming experience and knowledge gained as a field representative has allowed him to achieve a sound understanding of most types of farming.
During his time with Ballance he has gained extensive experience in many types of farming operations and he uses this knowledge to provide specialist advice to farmers on their nutrient requirements.
Richard has a Bachelor in Agricultural Commerce from Lincoln University, and has completed the Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management Course at Massey University.
Jessica joined Ballance in January 2004, and worked as a technical sales representative in the Southland region before being promoted to a key accounts position in 2011. She has a Bachelor of Science from Otago University and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Agriculture) from Lincoln University.
This theoretical knowledge is backed up by practical experience, Jessica having grown up on her parents' 325-ha sheep farming operation at Fortrose, in southern Southland.
As a born-and-bred Southlander, Jessica enjoys being able to put something back into the farming community in her role as a technical sales representative, and gets satisfaction from the knowledge that she can play a part in helping the local economy thrive.
For relaxation Jessica enjoys outdoor activities such as water skiing and snow skiing. She also plays netball, though she admits this is more social than competitive nowadays.
Andrew Rutherford joined Ballance in March 2002, moving south from Katikati, where he had been working for Wrightson. In April 2008 he was promoted to the role of key accounts representative.
Having grown up on his family's 225-hectare sheep and beef farm in the southern Hawke's Bay, Andrew brings to the role a thorough and practical appreciation of farming. His seven years with Wrightson, first as a trainee in the Central Plateau and later as branch manager at Katikati further developed his all-round agricultural knowledge.
Andrew gets great job satisfaction from being able to build strong business relationships with his customers and to have a positive influence on their farming operation through providing quality plant nutrient advice and services.
When he's not working, Andrew enjoys a range of outdoor pursuits, in particular, chasing ducks up rivers and deer in the hills.
Raymond Williams joined Ballance Agri-Nutrients in August 1999 as technical sales representative for the Central South Island. In 2009 he was promoted to key accounts representative for the Upper South Island region.
Being able to offer farmers useful advice, and later receiving positive feedback about the results of that, are two aspects of the job that Raymond enjoys the most.
Before joining Ballance Raymond spent two years in the United States growing corn with the cropping company Dekalb, and also worked for Wrightson for five and a half years as a field service representative in the Southland region. Underpinning this practical experience is the knowledge he gained completing his Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture).
When it comes to the weekend, Raymond is a fan of the great outdoors, spending his time tramping and playing, cricket and squash. And when he is feeling marginally less energetic, he manages the local Kirwee rugby team and supports the Crusaders and Canterbury teams.
