John Lay

CEO

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John was raised in Taranaki. After leaving high school he joined the RNZAF as a pilot trainee and graduated with distinction and the Merton Sword of Honour. He was posted to Jets and flew Vampire and Canberra aircraft in New Zealand and the Far East. After another tour of duty in Fiji as the Station Adjutant at Laucala Bay and Honorary Aide to the Governor of Fiji, he left the Airforce in 1964 to become an arable farmer in the Ellesmere district of the South Island. He remains on that farm to this day. As a farmer he was involved in farm politics, through the Arable Section of Federated Farmers, and was a founding director of the successful farm co-operative "Cropmark" where he served as Deputy Chairman for many years.

In 1984 John was asked to "stand in" for an itinerant staff member as a temporary lecturer for one year in the Department of Farm Management at Lincoln College, later to become Lincoln University. That position became permanent and culminated in John being appointed the Head of Farm Management in 1996 and later, following a restructuring and rationalizing process within the University, the Director of Applied Management and Computing, a senior management position from which he retired in 2004.

During his twenty years at Lincoln University, John was involved in aid projects in Papua New Guinea, Kyrgyzstan and Fiji. He was also a Lincoln appointee to the Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and judged at the national YFC finals on several occasions.

As an early adopter of computing technology in Agriculture and following a sabbatical that took him into the American mid-west, a spell at Texas A&M and later Edinburgh Universities he became convinced there was a global need for a comprehensive all-in one farm management software suite. His desire for excellence and his assessment that, even today, no software other than LandMark comes close to filling that need remains with him. Having said that, he still believes there is more that could be done to fulfill the needs of agriculture and pursues the "perfect solution" with passion.

Duncan Hume

IT Specialist

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Duncan originally became involved in i.Agri Limited after completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems at Canterbury University.

This computer experience and growing up on a farm gives him a unique ability to relate to farmers and computer people.During his time off he can be seen playing touch rugby, soccer, tennis, cricket and various other sporting activities. Also photography and tramping (hiking for Americans) are also a favoured pastime.

Duncan originally comes from Tussock Creek in the heart of Southland, went to Lochiel Primary School and then onto Central Southland College. Now lives in Christchurch.

Christine Poole

Office Administrator

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Christine grew up on a dairy farm in Irwell and has always lived in the area. After flying the "coop" in 1995 she only managed to venture about 17km down the road where she co-purchased 50 acres and built a house close to Southbridge.

Got married, had two kids, separated and now lives 10km up the road in Leeston. She has worked in a variety of jobs - florist & medical secretary in Christchurch and office administration locally. Trained to be an AB technician for LIC in 1992 and is still doing a spring group each year. Started working for i.Agri August 2007 knowing very little about computers and their programs. Had to learn very quickly and "act" like she knew a lot. Has become quite familiar with the program and feels confident when helping clients (except for when it comes to the Budget!).

Christine is kept busy with work and her two children, Melanie 8 and Jared 4. She manages to squeeze in a little social time with friends and the odd game or two of tennis.