Noel Howard, aged 82, passed away late last week.

His business career had highpoints on international, national and local stages, including a stint as general manager of Ford Australia's tractor operations in a 25-year association with the Ford motor company.

He started out as a mechanical engineer and automotive technician before moving into various management roles which also included being in charge of Ford's international operations with responsibility for the Asia-Pacific region.

After leaving Ford, Mr Howard worked for Case Australia and at various stages was an adviser on rural matters to the Federal Treasury.

In the mid-1990s, Mr Howard joined the Mann Mitre 10 business, initially in its rural division before becoming general manager.

He was involved in some of the biggest decisions in the company's history such as the sale to Bunnings in 2006 which was the catalyst to the eventual redevelopment of the company's central Wodonga site into the Mann Central shopping centre.

"He was a man of conviction and a very determined individual," long-time business associate Stuart Gilchrist said.

"He stood up for his beliefs and he was very much respected within the Mitre 10 group for that at a time when there were a lot of debates going on about direction.

"You could always rely on Noel to provide a valued input into that."

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After growing up in the Kiewa Valley, Mr Howard always had a passion for rural matters.

He was a member of Wodonga Council's saleyards committee when council owned and managed the Bandiana complex.

But in a bombshell move, Mr Howard was dumped from the committee after publicly airing concerns the council management had a secret plan to sell the saleyards operations and relocate them to North Barnawartha.

He was part of a group of industry stakeholders, who formed the Save The Saleyards group which conducted public rallies in Woodland Grove opposing the move and fought council's plans at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Mr Howard's wife Joan also passed away this year.

He is survived by his children Geoffrey, Peter, Tania, Natalie, Kathryn and families.

A private funeral and burial will be held on August 6 in line with present COVID-19 restrictions.

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