Board of Directors
Oversee the strategic direction and functions of the authority
Board of Directors
Private Forests Tasmania's Board of Directors are appointed by the Minister for Resources for their practical knowledge, industry, commercial and technical expertise in forestry.
The Board oversees the strategic direction, and a staff of permanent and fixed-term officers undertake the functions of the authority.
Mr Jim Wilson - Chair of Private Forests Tasmania
Member representing industrial private forest growers. Jim was re-appointed on August 1, 2024, for a further term of three years. He was appointed Chair on January 25, 2024.
Jim is the General Manager – Enterprise Performance at Forico Pty Limited, Tasmania’s largest private forest management company. Jim is also a private forest grower in North-East Tasmania. Jim is recognised as an industry leader, and is driven by stronger linkages between agriculture and active engagement with forests, a pathway to a brighter future for both sectors. In addition to Jim’s role as a Director of Private Forests Tasmania, he is a Director and Vice President of Forestry Australia. Jim has a strong interest in collaboration and has convened Forestry Australia’s national conferences from 2021 to 2024.
Dr Joanna Jones - B.Ag Sc (Hons), PhD (Horticulture Science)
Member with practical knowledge of and experience in industry, commerce or economic development. Jo was re-appointed on June 26, 2025, for a further term of three years.
Jo is a senior consultant with Pinion Advisory and an adjunct senior researcher with the University of Tasmania.
Jo has extensive farm-focused agricultural research, development, extension, and communication skills. She is an experienced project manager and has decade-long board experience.
She co-owns and manages Fidelity Peonies and, with her husband, runs a family-owned dairy farm in the Derwent Valley.
Jo is passionate about innovation across the agricultural sector and building resilience in rural communities.
Mr Robert (Rob) O'Connor
Member representing non-industrial private forest growers. Rob was appointed on June 14, 2023, for a term of three years.
Rob is a multi-generational farmer from the Fingal Valley owning and managing a 19,500ha mixed farming business including beef, sheep, wool, cropping and forestry.
Rob is a member of the Forest Practices Advisory Council, the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Cereals & Seeds Association, a committee member of the State Fire Management Councils Machinery Operations working in dry combustibles committee, Red Hot Tips committee member and volunteer fire fighter with the Tasmanian Fire Service, Avoca.
Managing around 10,000ha of private forestry on his Benham property, Rob has a long history in private forest management and is well equipped to represent non-industrial private forest growers in Tasmania.
Mr Bob Rutherford
Member with expertise in forest or related sciences. Bob was appointed January 3, 2024, for a term of three years.
Bob is a professional economist with particular expertise in the science of forestry economics and has been involved in public policy and commercial matters associated with the forestry industry for over 30 years, both as an academic and as a senior public servant. He is well acquainted with a wide range of technical issues associated with forestry in all parts of the value chain.
He has had a long involvement with PFT and brings a strong background in its history, strategies, and development.
Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski (PhD.BSc.Hons. UTas) - Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Private Forests Tasmania in September 2023 for a five-year term.
Elizabeth has 20-years' experience in the tertiary (research/academic), forestry, agriculture, agroforestry, landscape restoration mining, oil and gas sectors.
Formerly Greening Australia State Operations Lead, Elizabeth is skilled in all facets of business management including stakeholder engagement, policy advice, strategic planning and project management.
A former Environmental Scientist, Elizabeth has provided specialty forestry solutions to the private and public forestry sector including private landowner estate management, forest practice planning, forest health diagnosis, biodiversity assessment, and regeneration and restoration plans for forest carbon accounting.
A self-motived leader with a passion for the environment, the agricultural and agroforestry sectors, Elizabeth is devoted to ensuring a sustainable future forest resource for all Tasmanians.
Mr Robert (Rob) Downie
Member representing non-industrial private forest growers. Rob was appointed on March 18, 2025, for a three-year term.
Rob is an experienced Tasmanian tree grower who successfully integrates forestry into productive regional landscapes. Rob has extensive knowledge in growing, managing, harvesting and marketing forest products on private land amongst changing technology, markets and social expectations.
Rob is also actively participating in plantation forestry carbon projects to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
In addition to managing his trees, Rob is a Director of both Copping Timber Company and Farmwood Australia Pty Ltd, Approved Assessor for Pruned Stand certification, a former panel member of the Forest Practices Tribunal and representative on the Forest Practices Advisory Committee.
Rob is uniquely positioned to provide strategic guidance which balances the connection between farmers and the broader forest industry.
