Interim General Manager: Medgun Cotton Farm

Interim General Manager of Large Cropping Farm in Liquidation

In 2012, Jason was appointed Interim General Manager of a 2,276-hectare irrigated cotton and dryland cropping farm by the Liquidator of Lowe Lippmann Chartered Accountants. The company, 50% owned by an Australian Rich 200 family, entered liquidation due to a large-scale fraud committed by a former director. Jason was entrusted with full control of the company, showcasing his exceptional leadership and strategic skills. He was responsible for appointing agronomists, managing the already planted 2011/12 irrigated cotton crop to harvest, and undertaking the 2012/13 crop yield analysis and planning.

To perform the roel effectively Jason took up residence at the "Bengerag" homestead at Garah NSW, 52 KM northwest of Moree and near the Queensland border.

Jason adeptly managed a team of four to fifteen people, depending on the season, and took full responsibility for the financial management systems. This included the preparation of 18-month forecasts with crop combination analysis and yield forecasting, daily cash flow management, negotiation with pre-appointment and post-appointment creditors, weekly financial and end-of-month reporting to the Liquidator and shareholders, meeting statutory obligations, payroll, forward, spot and farm gate sales, crop yield, weigh-bridge, ginning and water usage reconciliations, debtors control, creditors control, CAPEX planning, and the sale of surplus assets.

In addition to his management duties, Jason led the Liquidator's forensic accounting investigations to determine how the alleged crop sale and expenditure were misappropriated. This involved deep investigative work, including interviews with smaller gin processing facilities and convincing them to "open up their books" for transactions with the farm.

Finally, his meticulous preparation of an Information Memorandum led to the successful listing of the property with an international property agent and the eventual handover of the farm's management back to the shareholders.

The Liquidator relied heavily on Jason's diverse skills in strategy, marketing, systems, finance, accounting, law, taxation, compliance, deal structuring, human resources, and critical thinking. His ability to tackle difficult or complex problems effectively was instrumental in navigating the company through its challenging period.