Queensland Natural Resources Management organisation, Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG), has appointed Tom Espinoza as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Tom, formerly BMRG’s Director of Research and holder of a master’s degree in ecology from the University of Sydney, has taken the helm with a visionary approach for the region’s future.
BMRG Board Chair, Tony Ricciardi, said Tom was an influential leader with a strong understanding of the region’s natural environment, Indigenous cultural heritage, and primary production.
“During his time at BMRG, Tom has established close connections with Traditional Owner groups,” Tony said.
“Earlier this year, he led the nationally acclaimed Mary River canoe expedition, which recorded and mapped threatened species, critical habitats, cultural heritage, erosion and flood impacts.
“He’s been at the forefront of conservation efforts to protect threatened species and he led the ground-breaking discovery of white-throated snapping turtles in the Baffle Creek.
“Tom knows the region well and he has the support of an excellent team to continue the great work that BMRG has been doing for many years.”
Tom said he was humbled to be appointed CEO of BMRG and he looked forward to delivering significant outcomes for the region.
“The opportunity to lead BMRG as CEO is an important step forward for both me personally and the organisation,” he said.
“We have an unprecedented opportunity to effect significant environmental advancements for our region.
“Our team is not just dedicated but galvanised by a shared mission – to deliver positive impact through measurable projects that protect and enhance our agricultural, cultural and natural environment.
“A mission only achievable through close collaboration with partners across this iconic region.
“Our efforts will restore, protect, and build resilience in our natural environment, species and communities, finding a positive balance between use and preservation.”
Tom said BMRG would continue to innovate in leading areas of natural capital and applied science.
“We’ll achieve this by directing investment into a wide range of environmental and community-based programs that deliver positive outcomes in the areas of ecological diversity, sustainable land management, water quality, cultural heritage values and coastal and marine management,” he said.
“Our objective is to invest with intent to reduce the risk and increase the value of the benefits of the region’s natural capital.”
This included the application of environmental accounting to monitor the region, and the further development of BMRG’s natural capital framework, a foundational decision-making tool bridging BMRG’s custodial viewpoint with the market, transactional world view.
