RESOURCE development consultants McSweeney Partners Pty Ltd has appointed the company founder’s son, mining industry executive David McSweeney, as chairman of the board. Mr McSweeney is currently founding managing director and executive chairman of Australian Securities Exchange-listed Avalon Minerals and is also a non-executive director of Bauxite Resources Ltd. Previous directorships include board positions in the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission, Exco Resources Ltd, Goldfields Credit Union, Australian Gold Council and Association of Mining and Exploration Companies.