Hazells Farm & Fertilizer’s Kellie Mackney is among five finalists in the young business executive category.

Having started as a junior “just helping out in the shed”, Mrs Mackney is now the general manager of the business.

She said she’d been afforded many professional development opportunities in her 15 years with Hazells, and was looking forward to representing the business on September 1.

“It will be great; it will be a new networking opportunity, and another opportunity to promote Hazells and the great things they do here and the commitment they have to developing young people,” she said.

“They’ve provided plenty of opportunities for me along the way to develop professionally – both formally and in-house.”

Mrs Mackney said she’d been able to complete certificates IV in retail management and agriculture, as well as diplomas in business and management.

“They’ve supported me through it and have been happy to let me use their business model to complete formalised training so I have that as well as the in-house stuff you pick up along the way.

“Their commitment to junior staff is ongoing: our staff is predominantly juniors and they all get those opportunities.”

Mrs Mackney said she was from a “semi-agricultural background”.

“My family is all heavily into equine and the associated things that go along with that, so agricultural pursuits and equine in particular have always been my passion.”

Mrs Mackney has progressed to the regional finals after winning her section in the Tamworth business awards program.

The regional awards night will be in Gunnedah on September 1.