Who’s running this place?

Two western Canadian research and commodity organizations have announced the appointments of key management positions.

At the Western Grains Research Foundation based in Saskatoon, Garth Patterson has been named executive director, taking over a position previously held by Lanette Kuchenski, who resigned earlier this year.

Prior to joining WGRF, Patterson has been well known in the agriculture industry as executive director for the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) for the past 16 years. A WGRF release says, “During this time, Patterson provided leadership that has contributed greatly to the growth and development of the pulse sector in Saskatchewan. This has included the development of innovative programs to commercialize pulse crop varieties that have led to widespread adoption of many new pulse crop varieties in Saskatchewan.

“Patterson has also worked for the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, Cyanamid, Agdevco, the University of Saskatchewan, and Federated Co-op. Patterson brings with him to WGRF a diverse and in-depth agricultural background spanning more than 30 years.”

“We are delighted to have hired someone of Garth’s experience and expertise in the agricultural community for this important position,” noted Dr. Keith Degenhardt, WGRF board chair. “Garth’s leadership and direction will undoubtedly contribute to many achievements in the years ahead for WGRF.”

Kuchenski had served as executive director since 2003, taking over the post from Lorence Peterson. She resigned at the end of April 2011.

CANADA BEEF

And the new organization that brings the services of the Beef Information Centre, the Canada Beef Export Federation and the National Check-off Agency, all under one organizational roof is starting to fill governance and management positions.

Canada Beef, which was created earlier this year after the various players in the Canadian beef industry agreed to the three-way merger, now has a board of directors in place as well as a new president.

Brad Wildeman, from Lanigan, Saskatchewan who has been a driving force in the Canadian beef industry for years, including past president of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association, will chair the new Canada Beef board of directors. And Robert Meijer, former director of corporate affairs with Cargill Limited has been named president of Canada Beef.

There had been a lot of interest in some areas of the beef industry in seeing who would head the new Canada Beef agency. With the merger, it had people wondering whether Glenn Brand, CEO of the Beef Information Centre, or Ted Haney, president of the Canada Beef Export Federation might be selected to fill the top job. But, the Canada Beef recruiting committee has gone with a third, outside candidate. The roles of Brand and Haney in the new organization have yet to be announced.

Wildeman, a beef producer and feedlot operator from Lanigan, has been very active in many aspects of Canadian beef industry operation and policy development for years. He served as co-chair of the Canada Beef Implementation Team tasked with getting the new Canada Beef company up and running.

 “I welcome the challenge of being the first board chair of Canada Beef Inc.," says Wildeman in a release. "The Canadian cattle and beef industry made clear their desire for one national independent agency to conduct the industry’s marketing, promotion and research activities. With the establishment of Canada Beef Inc., we have accomplished this."

“Our job now is to pursue prosperity for the Canadian cattle and beef industry," he says. "We have a strong and capable organization, a renewed focus on increasing sales of Canadian beef in both the domestic and international markets - and a goal of positioning Canadian beef as the first choice in high quality beef around the world. With Canada Beef Inc., I believe it’s a goal that’s within reach."

Also elected as officers of the 2011-2012 CBI board of directors were: Dane Guignion (Manitoba Cattle Producers Association) as vice chair; Brian Read (XL Meats) as planning and priorities chair; Scott Ellerton (Sysco Canada Inc.) as finance/audit and program performance measurement chair; Mike Kennedy (Cargill Foods) as international beef trade access policy advisory chair; and Chuck MacLean (President, Alberta Beef Producers) as governance chair.

Meijer, has worked in various sectors of the Canadian agriculture industry over the past 15 years.

Meijer brings 14 years of policy, regulatory, legislative, political and communications experience to Canada Beef Inc.  In his position as Cargill director, Meijer has been responsible for Cargill’s Canadian government/regulatory relations, communication, and community relation activities.  He has also led and managed emerging issues, business risk and customer collaboration for 19 business units in the areas of beef, poultry, milling, malt, grain handling and port services, animal nutrition, canola processing among others.

He also held a board and/or committee position with a number of key agricultural organizations including; the Federal Roundtables, Flax Council of Canada, Malt Industry Association of Canada, Canadian Poultry Processors Association, Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, Western Grain Elevator Association, Canada Grains Council, and the Canadian Meat Council.

“Robert Meijer’s appointment as president of Canada Beef assures our organization of strong, capable and experienced leadership," says Wildeman, in a release.  "Rob’s extensive background in the beef industry ranges from domestic and international marketing to trade and regulatory issues.  This, coupled with his dynamic approach to taking the interests of Canada Beef forward on the domestic and world stages, will serve the Canadian cattle and beef industry well."

"I am very energized by this tremendous opportunity and dedicate myself to doing what is best for our producers and industry partners," says Meijer.

So far neither Western Grains or Canada beef has called me to fill a plumb position as industry ambassador, but I am sticking close to the phone.

Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary, Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com