Sales
Stephen York
Commercial Manager
Sales Region - New South Wales
Sales Region - New South Wales
E: stephen.york@sltec.com.au
M: 0407 317 713
Growing up on the family farm in the Southern Riverina, Stephen went on to study Applied Science at Ballarat University. Having worked in the Agricultural sector for over 30 years, Stephen has a strong understanding of the rural business landscape, with a drive for excellence in servicing the customer. Joining SLTEC® in January 2014, Stephen has developed a strong focus in delivering nutrition solutions for a wide range of crop types. In June 2018, Stephen was appointed the role of National Sales Manager. He and his family reside in Yarrawonga, NE Victoria.
Qualifications: B.App.Sc.(Ag)
Ben Keir
Senior Horticultural Agronomist
Sunraysia VIC
Sunraysia VIC
E: ben.keir@sltec.com.au
M: 0447 317 011
Ben has a Diploma in Production Horticulture and is an Irrigation Australia certified agronomist with diverse experience in soils, nutrition and plant health. Ben joined the SLTEC team in July 2018 and with over 17 years’ experience in Irrigated Horticulture throughout the Sunraysia region.
Scott Palmer
National Sales & Marketing Manager
Sales Region - Central & Northern Victoria
Sales Region - Central & Northern Victoria
E: scott.palmer@sltec.com.au
M: 0455 400 514
Scott has a bachelor degree in Applied Science (Agriculture). He has been working with specialty and liquid fertilizers for four years, and with SLTEC® since early 2016.
Scott originally comes with a farming background before studying and entering the industry working with a seed company based in Melbourne and then Horsham before returning to Northern Victoria.
Qualifications: B.App.Sc.(Ag)
Wade Luke
Business Development Manager
Sales Region - South Australia
Sales Region - South Australia
E: wade.luke@sltec.com.au
M: 0417 098 713
Wade joins the SLTEC® team with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management) and is currently studying a Masters of Business Administration both with the University of Adelaide.
Wade grew up in the Adelaide Hills surrounded by pome, stone fruit and viticulture. Wade has over 15 years management and growing experience in irrigated horticulture, viticulture and row cropping having worked in the Adelaide Hills, Goulburn Valley, Sunraysia and the Riverland. Wade enjoys working with clients to provide practical and science-based solutions combined with sustainable and environmentally friendly outcomes to ensure long term viability and productivity.
Qualifications: B.App.Sc.(Environ Manage), M.Bus.Ad (MBA)
Lawrence Cowley
Sales Agronomist
Sales Region - Tasmania
Sales Region - Tasmania
E: lawrence.cowley@sltec.com.au
M: 0407 318 813
Driven by his family background in farming and market gardening, Lawrence went on to tertiary studies in commercial horticulture. Which has led him to a diverse and fulfilling career path.
This has ranged from hands on farm management in Australia, UK, USA, and East Africa working with the world’s leading leafy salad and vegetable producers driving business growth and revenue; to new business development in Europe and Africa focusing on ornamental plant production, supply of crop inputs, genetics, and irrigation systems.
Lawrence joined the SLTEC® team in September 2022 and has brought with him a high level of communication and interpersonal skills, a passion for what he does and a friendly, engaging manner.
Greg Carbis
Area Sales Manager
Sales Region - Western District, Victoria
Sales Region - Western District, Victoria
E: greg.carbis@sltec.com.au
M: 0428 454 258
Greg has been involved in the irrigation industry for over 20 years; servicing horticulture, crop and turf. Additionally, he has worked within the animal nutrition and animal hygiene scene for the last 5 years.
Greg moved to Warrnambool 6 years ago, to further his career. Together with his 2 years of dairy farming experience, Greg has a firm connection with the rural industry.
Bhavtaran Singh
Sales Agronomist
Sales Region - High Country & Gippsland
Sales Region - High Country & Gippsland
E: research@sltec.com.au
Bhavtaran joined the SLTEC team in early 2022 as a Research Agronomist with a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences with Honours in Horticulture from Punjab Agricultural University, India and Master of Agricultural Sciences from the University of Melbourne. He undertook his master’s research under the supervision of Dr Dorin Gupta (Senior Lecturer). He wrote his thesis on ‘Widening the genetic pool of cultivated lentils through inter-specific hybridisation with wild lentils to enhance the drought tolerance.’ Recently, he has been working with contract research organisations as a Field Research Scientist to evaluate Agrochemicals for their safety, efficacy and residues in broadacre and horticultural crops. As his master’s research was a part of a sustainable agriculture project of his supervisor, this led him to start working with SLTEC to find and evaluate sustainable solutions for soil and plant health.
Research & Development
Tal Cohen
Research Agronomist
E: tal.cohen@sltec.com.au
P: 0437 317 252
Tal’s interest in plants began in high school when he came across ‘Dangerous Garden’ by David Stuart – a book on the use and abuse of plants by humankind. This led him to explore the plant world further and he completed a Bachelor and Master’s degree in plant physiology at the University of Melbourne. He undertook his research under Prof. Ian Woodrow and Dr. Jason Goodger and wrote his Master’s thesis on the regulation of Eucalypt flavonoid production and the screening of Eucalypts for novel bioactive compounds. This work has been used to help build an Australian industry for these compounds. He also interned in Copenhagen University’s Section for Plant Biochemistry, working with a small team to uncover diterpenoid biosynthetic pathways in some Australian native desert plants.
Tal joined SLTEC in late 2018 as a Research Agronomist and wants to take Australian agriculture to the leading edge of efficiency, science, and sustainability. As the world population is set to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the task of growing more food on the same land is a very real and very exciting challenge. He believes the smart use and delivery of fertilisers and biostimulants will be key and looks forward to developing new and sustainable solutions with SLTEC Fertilizers.
Qualifications: B.Sc, M.Sc
Tejas (TJ) Kandhare
Technical Production Supervisor (Chemical Engineer)
E: tj@sltec.com.au
Tejas (TJ as everyone calls him) joined the team in April 2022 as a fresh out of university Graduate Chemical Engineer. Growing up, he always had a curious mind and an investigative attitude towards nature and the science behind it. TJ later developed a liking for the field of science, ultimately leading to a career in Chemical Engineering. He completed his Master’s in Advanced Chemical Engineering, focusing on renewable resources and sustainability at Monash University.
His experience in market research, hospitality, warehousing and logistics through casual and part-time jobs helps him have a creative approach to troubleshooting and problem solving. TJ is a keen understudy and wants to learn through experience and contribute to the betterment of society.
Logistics & Administration
Asya Ciftci
Logistics Manager
E: logistics@sltec.com.au
P: 1800 768 224
Asya joined the SLTEC team in November 2021 after deciding to leave the beauty industry to take on a new career. Growing up locally in Tatura, Asya spends most of her weekends travelling to play soccer for her local team and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Her friendly and energetic personality is a welcome asset to the SLTEC administration team. Her meticulous approach to receiving orders and processing them through our system highlights her focus on meeting our customers’ expectations.
Kylie Bowles
Customer Service Coordinator
E: customerservice@sltec.com.au
P: 1800 768 224
Kylie originally grew up on a dairy farm in Merrigum, before getting married and living in Kyabram for the past 27 years. Previously working in the health and wellness sector for 5 years, her passion drew her to a role at SLTEC. She looks forward to advancing her knowledge in this field.
Andrew Serafini
Assistant Accountant
E: accounts@sltec.com.au
M: 1800 768 224
Andrew grew up and currently lives in Shepparton and has had an interest in getting into the finance department . In 2016 Andrew completed a Bachelors Degree in Business (Accounting) at La Trobe University and has several years’ experience working with tax accounting firms throughout the Goulburn Valley. Andrew decided to make the switch to SLTEC Fertiliser in May of 2023 to expand his knowledge of business operations and administration.
Qualifications: B.Bus (Acc)
Cameron Dunn
Technical Coordinator
E: cameron.dunn@sltec.com.au
M: 0407 317 242
Cameron grew up in Shepparton and developed an interest in science and agriculture. Cameron holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University majoring in agronomy.
While at university he worked for Exxon Mobil, involved in Aircraft refuelling in Albury, NSW. Additionally, Cameron helped drive jet fuel tankers, refuelling the Ericson sky cranes in Sydney during the bushfire seasons over summer breaks.
Once he graduated from university, he worked for his family company in Shepparton before joining SLTEC in 2013 as an agronomist in the Goulburn Valley.
Since joining SLTEC, he has had a variety of roles including Agronomist, Logistics Coordinator, Operations Manager, and most recently taking on the role of Technical Manager. In his role as Technical Manager, Cameron coordinates SLTECs formulations, Quality Assurance, Compliance and works on integrating R&D products into full production.
Qualifications: B.Ag.Sc
Josh McMaster
Marketing Assistant and Graphic Design (Part Time)
E: marketing@sltec.com.au
M: 0487 317 101
Josh grew up in Tongala before moving out onto an ominous forest farm near Woop Woop. With a keen interest in technology and graphic design he entered the Marketing and Graphic Design role at SLTEC Fertilisers in 2022. Venturing into further study in 2023, Josh is currently undergoing a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering at La Trobe University.
Management
Jamie McMaster
Director & Agronomist
E: jamie.mcmaster@sltec.com.au
M: 0407 317 288
Jamie is the CEO and founder of SLTEC Fertilizers, one of Australia’s most progressive fluid fertilizer companies. Since its inception in 2005, SLTEC has experienced significant growth and developed over 700 different proprietary formulations, building a solid customer base across the Eastern Seaboard of Australia in agriculture, turf and hydroponic marketplaces.
His role in developing SLTEC has enabled his passion for business development, agriculture, soil science, nutrition and irrigation to combine in a very new and innovative industry. SLTEC is now focused on researching and developing nutritional, biostimulant and soil amendment products from renewable and recycled ingredients.
Jamie has also specialized in the development and implementation of Environmental Monitoring and Management Systems along with conducting research into Sustainable Agriculture Systems. He has worked in both the Irrigation, Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemical Industry over the past 30 years and brings experience in project management, EMS, Agronomy, Irrigation and Fertilizer Management. He has worked extensively across Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, USA, UK and Greece with Multinational Food and Wine Companies and Industry Sectors, focusing on Corporate and Primary Producer Sustainability.
Technical Focus: Soil Science, Irrigation Design and Management, Fertilizer Technology & Nutrition, Environmental Management, Auditing.
Qualifications: B.App.Sc.(Ag), M.Ag, CPSS, CPAg
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