Retiring CSD MD played key role in cotton industry

After decades of leading Cotton Seed Distributors’ successful and expanding operations, Peter Graham officially retired as managing director in December.

People from across the spectrum of the cotton industry and wider community gathered at CSD’s Shenstone plant in Wee Waa on December 18 to offer congratulations to Peter and Belinda Graham.

CSD chief executive officer Dr Ian Taylor was MC for the occasion with speakers including CSD chair Tony Quigley and Mr Graham’s work colleagues, Brett Ross, Bruce Cowan, Fiona Campbell, James Quinn and Jesse Nancarrow offering their thanks and appreciation for his mentorship, friendship and service to CSD and the industry.

They reflected on Mr Graham’s ‘dedication, diplomacy, attention to detail and care for his CSD staff’ – he has been a key player in an important Australian industry for three decades.

In response, Mr Graham said he had the help and guidance of great people during his tenure at CSD.

“It has been an amazing journey,” he said.

He had appreciated the strong support and advice from mentors and colleagues and paid tribute to those who had supported his role at CSD to ‘make sure we are delivering what the growers need.’

The function brought together Mr Graham’s industry colleagues from the years which saw significant developments in cotton science and technologies and the major expansion in the scope of the Australian cotton industry.

As a CSD board member and managing director, Mr Graham was actively engaged as a key driver in CSD’s pivotal role in the growth of the industry .

“We celebrate the achievements of Peter Graham over his 21 years as managing director and 33 years as a CSD board director,” Dr Taylor said.

“This extraordinary CSD site is the result of an amazing vision that Peter began some 16-17 years ago. And its not just about the site but an ambition for CSD to be a global as well as national company, supplying Australian cotton growers with the best germplasm in the world, the best technology and the best seed treatments.

“Through the development of strong relationships and tough negotiation Peter has transformed CSD into a company that partners with the leading agribusiness organisations both globally and scientifically, namely CSIRO, Monsanto, now Bayer, and Syngenta.

“This CSD site was built to serve Australian cotton growers for the next 15-20 years and could not have been built but for those relationships and agreements, and without Peter’s vision.

“This site stands testament to both Peter and Belinda Graham, because Peter could not have achieved all that he has without strong support by his side.

“At former CSD chairman John Grellman’s funeral in December, Peter paid tribute to the great mentorship that he received from John, and described John as a ‘true gentleman’.

“During his tribute Peter used another word – statesman, which is a skilled experienced and respected leader.

“I think statesman sums up Peter very well.

“He has left an indelible mark upon CSD. For as long as CSD and these buildings and site remain this will always be your second home and you will always be welcome,” Dr Taylor said.