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Previously:
BIRCHIP Cropping Group's chief executive Chris Sounness is stepping down from his role after more than five years.
Mr Sounness lives in Horsham with his wife and their teenage children. He said the almost hour and a half commute between the two towns was getting the better of him.
"I love my job, but it was getting to be too much travelling," he said.
Raised on a farm in Western Australia, Mr Sounness moved to the Wimmera and worked at Horsham's Grains Innovation Park for 20 years.
He worked in the fields of agriculture grains extension and seasonal climate risk.
Mr Souness took up his role at BCG in 2014 and said his time with the group had been rewarding.
"There have been so many great projects, including a focus on giving growers the skills they need to tackle climate extremes," he said.
"Projects on research into early sowing, encouraging farmers to grow pulses in low rainfall areas, and getting more people involved in the digital agriculture space have been rewarding. It has also been great to work with our 20 amazing staff members."
Mr Sounness will take up another job in the region, but is yet to announce what it will be.
When asked whether it was the Wimmera Development Association executive director role, he said it was "best for (the WDA) to comment and make an announcement when they're ready".
The role was left vacant earlier this year after Ralph Kenyon stepped down. Mark Fletcher is the acting executive director.
Mr Souness will finish at BCG on August 16.
"BCG are actively recruiting for my replacement. So if anyone knows someone who would like the chance to take on the role, they can get in contact with us. There is lots of exciting stuff going on at the group," he said.
The group's interim chief executive has not been announced.
Wimmera Development Association chairman Kevin Erwin has been contacted for comment.
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