Company Founders

The founders of Forest Genetics CellFor Ltd (FGC), Drs Mike and Sue Carson, have spent a substantial part of their careers as tree breeding scientists and are well respected by their peers, both internationally and locally.
                              
Mike and Sue are lead or co-authors on nearly 250 scientific papers and have presented at numerous conferences around the world.

Mike graduated from University of Canterbury with a BSc (Hon, 1st Class), followed by, in 1982, a PhD in forest genetics at North Carolina State University, USA.

Sue graduated with a BSc (with Distinction) from University of Michigan, followed by an MSc from Michigan State University and then in 1984 a PhD in forestry with majors in Forest Genetics and Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University.

On their return to New Zealand in 1982, both Mike and Sue accepted scientific positions with the New Zealand Forestry Research Institute. Sue worked at the FRI until 1998 in a variety of research and development positions including Project Manager for the Molecular Breeding, and then for Fletcher Challenge Forests for three years as a specialist in DNA marker applications. Sue is currently a member of the Tongariro/Taupo Conservation Board.

Mike held a number of senior management positions at the FRI overseeing the genetic and tree improvement research and the biotechnology division. He became involved with managing the New Zealand Radiata Pine Breeding Company co-operative in 1989, first from within the New Zealand Forest Research Institute, then from 1999 to 2005 as an independent contractor. In this role Mike facilitated the transformation of Breeding Company from a co-operative to a limited liability company, and then to a Foundation for Research Science and Technology funded consortium. Mike is currently a director of the Breeding Company and has been since since 2005.

From 1998 to 2005 Mike was also the General Manager for the South East Asian division of CellFor Inc, marking the beginning of a long-term relationship that has continued until today. The field trial plantings of superior varieties which were developed during this time have provided the foundation upon which our Production Varieties have been built.