Bill McGilvray President, The Australian Essential Oil Company Pty Ltd William Robert McGilvray, known to his friends as Bill, is a well-known identity in the Australian tea tree industry. With a background in chemistry and many years of ‘hands-on" experience with essential oils, he brings a wealth of knowledge to all areas of the company’s research and development, distillation and production. His first involvement in the Tea Tree Oil industry was in 1986 as a consultant in production and distillation. Soon after, as a member of a family partnership, he purchased several properties in the north of NSW, Australia, and began in earnest to develop a tea tree oil business. One of those properties - which Bill designed, constructed and commissioned - is now a certified organic Tea Tree Plantation. As well, The Australian Essential Oil Company is a BFA-certified Organic Processor of essential oils (Certification Number P237). In the past 14 years, Bill has been deeply involved in all facets of the industry, from distillation through to plantation development and management (both conventional and organic), as well as research and marketing. In the past 12 months, his companies have been responsible for the export of approximately one-quarter of Australia’s Tea Tree Oil to more than 20 countries around the world. Bill had nine years’ close involvement in the Australian Tea Tree Industry Organisation, first as a director, then deputy chairman, finally serving as Chairman of the Association from 1993 – 1996. His significant work in the industry is recognised in a biographical profile in the RIRDC publication, ‘Industry Profiles’, released in the year 2000. Bill’s vision has always been, through The Australian Essential Oil Company, to bring to the essential oils world stage many more of the treasures from Australia’s storehouse as well as the finest Tea Tree Oil. This vision is now a reality with the introduction of Australian Blue Cypress, Nerolina™™, and Rosalina Oils, with many more to come from an active research and development programme.   Fields of Expertise in Essential Oils: Australian essential oils research and development Distillation Plantation development Plantation management International marketing of essential oils and plant extracts Current Directorships: Managing Director, The Australian Essential Oil Company Pty Ltd Managing Director, AustralEssence Pty Ltd Director, Australian Essential Oils International Ltd (U.K.) Current Chairs: Chairman, Australian Cypress Oil Pty Ltd Chairman, Australian Cypress Holdings Ltd President, The Australian Essential Oil Company Pty Ltd Previous Positions 1986-1994: Chairman, T Tree Property Holdings Pty Ltd Managing Director, The Organic Tea Tree Oil Company Pty Ltd. Memberships of Professional Organisations: Member, past Chairman - Australian Tea Tree Industry Association Member, past Director – Biological Farmers of Australia Member – Essential Oil Traders Association of Australia Pty Ltd Member – Australian Aromatic Medicine Association Academic Qualifications: Certs. Industrial Chemistry, Metallurgy, Wollongong Technical College