About Forest Enterprises 

Steve Wilton
Managing Director

BBS, Massey University

Steve joined Forest Enterprises in 1991 after 15 years experience in banking and finance, the last 12 as General Manager of the Wairarapa Building Society.

As Managing Director of Forest Enterprises, he is responsible for overseeing all activities. Steve and his Wilton Family interests are 100% shareholders in the company.

Steve has been instrumental in developing the company's unique investment product, and for developing the company's customer-oriented marketing and administration systems.

"Being part of Forest Enterprises during the 1990's was a great experience. Our customer base grew from about 700 to more than 6,400 as New Zealanders' recognised the wonderful investment opportunity our Radiata pine plantation forests provide."

"The new millennium is also an exciting time for both the company and the industry. We have began harvesting our first forests that were planted for original investors in the 1970's, thereby completing the investment cycle. In the next ten years the New Zealand harvest is set to double and the industry to become the country's number one export earner."

Masterton-born Steve is married with two adult children. They live on a 175 acre "hobby" farm on the outskirts of town. He enjoys fishing, cycling and skiing in his spare time.

For Steve's contact details, click here. 

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Bert Hughes
General Manager Forestry

Registered Consultant, NZ Institute of Forestry

NZCF, BBS Massey

He was brought up on a dairy farm and has worked in the forest industry since 1983. Bert’s career started with five years with the NZ Forest Service as a Forest Ranger. He then travelled widely for several years and returned to the industry in 1993. Since then he has had management experience with log export port operations, harvesting, log marketing, forest tending operations, alternative species management and forestry consulting.

Bert’s last position was as a director of a company managing forests for investor clients. In this role he managed all aspects of log harvest, sales and marketing, valuation, reporting and forest estate management.

“Forestry is a dynamic investment offering good natural growth but with many environmental challenges, so attention to detail and working to achieve the full potential of the site is paramount.”

 Bert is married with two young children and enjoys family time, fishing, hunting, snow boarding and outdoor activity.

For Bert's contact details, click here.

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Graeme Tindall
Accountant

BCA (Hons) Victoria University

Chartered Accountant

Graeme's role involves financial reporting for the forest investments we manage and administer, and for the company. He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, being a Chartered Accountant since 1997.

Graeme is a very keen athlete and sports-person. He is currently a Wairarapa representative lawn bowler and has competed in many half marathons and over 50 marathons!

For Graeme's contact details, click here.

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Mike Keyworth
General Manager Administration

MBA, FNZIM

Mike is responsible for all administration aspects of Forest Enterprises. Prior to joining Forest Enterprises, Mike has had senior executive experience in a number of business environments in New Zealand and overseas and brings senior level experience in business improvement, Information Technology systems, Human Resources and general administration.

Mike completed an MBA at the prestigious Henley Management College in the United Kingdom before emigrating to New Zealand in 2005.

Spare time for Mike revolves around family activities with Sandra and five year old Charlie, and Fly Fishing when he can fit it in.

For Mike's contact details, click here.

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Graham Dick
Forest Operations Manager

Dip Ag (Lincoln)

Master Professional
Studies (Forestry)

Graham came to Forest Enterprises from a farm management background in the Wairarapa. 

As Forest Enterprises' Forest Operations Manager, he organises, supervises, and arranges payment for all forest operations including preparation, planting, pruning, and maintenance in the Wairarapa region, as well as overseeing the other regions. Forest data input into the forest record database and running computer growth and yield programmes form an increasing part of his work. As well as many years of forestry experience, Graham also has attended a number of training courses, and has visited forests in the U.K. He has recently completed the Master of Professional Studies (Forestry) at Lincoln University.

"There is a good variety of work at Forest Enterprises. It is an organisation producing a product that is very good for the investors, good for the country's economy and good for the environment, as planting trees is a sustainable use of land."

For Graham's contact details, click here.

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Merv Jones
Customer Services Manager

NZ Certificate
in Civil Engineering

Graduate Diploma in Business Studies

Merv is responsible for the sale or transfer of shares in existing forest investments, including those to third parties or Family Trusts. To facilitate this he maintains the website and updates the 'Investment Opportunities' page as some forest shares are listed for sale and others are sold.

He recognises that Forest Enterprises 6,400+ customers are paramount and accountability is first and foremost to them. He describes one of the highlights of his job is to talk to customers about their investments, either by telephone, during regular forest visits or on some occasions while he has travelled overseas.

Merv is originally from Wellington and is married with three adult children. He has his scuba diving ticket, enjoys travelling and bush walking. He is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church.

For Merv's contact details, click here.

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Sandie Mettrick
Accounts Clerk

Prior to this Sandie worked in Administration and Banking in both Gisborne and Wellington.

Her role is clerical, primarily looking after the administration and funding requirements for the 71 investor forests, as well as those for Forest Enterprises.

Sandie is married with two daughters. She enjoys walking, reading, social golf and entertaining family and friends.

For Sandie's contact details, click here.

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Heidi Warbrick
Business Support Manager

Her role includes gathering and analysis of a wide range of information on issues relevant to our forestry Investors for internal and external use, plus technical support for others in the Masterton office.

She is married with three children, and is originally from Upper Hutt. Heidi moved, with her husband, to the Wairarapa in 2000.

For Heidi's contact details, click here.

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Malte Coulmann
Manager - Technical Forestry

For Malte's contact details, click here.

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Neal Crane
Forester

Neal graduated from Forestry School at Canterbury University with a Batchelor of Forestry Science degree.

Neal is responsible for forest and harvest supervision, regularly visiting the forest and harvesting crews. This involves making sure they are operating to Forest Enterprises prescription for the various activities, maintaining sound environmental practices and operating a safe work environment.

Neal’s family has a multi generational sawmilling, logging and forestry background in New Zealand and overseas.

For Neal's contact details, click here.

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Vijay Paul
Forestry Analyst

Graduate Diploma in Science

Bachelors in Computer Science

Vijay joined Forest Enterprises in January 2012.

He is our forestry analyst and GIS technician, which entails taking care of the forestry database, stand records and map production.  Previously, Vijay worked as a GIS Technical Solutions Intern in Wellington and has moved to Masterton to work with FEL.

Vijay studied GIS and software/network engineering at Victoria University in Wellington. A background in computer science has helped Vijay with many of the technical aspects of GIS.

For Vijay's contact details, click here.

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Donna Karl
Executive Assistant

As Executive Assistant, Donna helps to keep the office running smoothly and provides executive assistance to Steve and other senior managers.

Until joining Forest Enterprises, Donna had been running her own businesses and prior to that held Executive Assistant positions with a number of Chief Executives.

For Donna's contact details, click here.

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Julian Kohn
Gisborne Forest Supervisor

NZ Cert in Forestry

Registered Forestry Consultant

Julian's company, Kohntrol Forest Services, has been our Gisborne Forest Supervisor since we first established forests in this region and is responsible for looking after our forests in the Gisborne area. This includes preparation, planting, pruning and maintenance.

Julian began his career in forestry as a Ranger Trainee with the New Zealand Forest Service and has been in the industry for more than 17 years.

He believes that, "Forestry in New Zealand is a young and vibrant industry that provides all sorts of opportunities for people who are prepared to work. Investors should view their investments as low to medium risk."

Julian is married to Heather and has two children. He is a keen fisherman, hunter and soccer player.

For Julian's contact details, click here.

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