Agency elects new members and marketing committee
Calgary, AB (August 14, 2019) – The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency (the Agency) is pleased to announce the Agency Board, following the Annual General Meeting on August 13, 2019 in Calgary, AB.
The 2019/20 Agency Members have been announced as:
| Primary Producers: | Canadian Meat Council: | |
| Terry Wiebe BC CIDC | Russ Mallard Atlantic Beef Products | |
| Jeff Smith Alberta Beef Producers | Alexandre Fontaine Montpak | |
| Doug Sawyer Alberta Beef Producers | Mike Kennedy Cargill | |
| Chad Ross Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Assoc. | Leslie Bielak St. Helen’s Meat Packers | |
| Mary Paziuk Manitoba Beef Producers | ||
| Jack Chaffe Beef Farmers of Ontario | Retail and Foodservice: | |
| Kirk Jackson Quebec Beef Producers | Steve Christie Sysco Canada | |
| Trevor Welch New Brunswick Cattle Producers | ||
| Larry Weatherby Nova Scotia Cattle Producers | I.E. Canada: | |
| David Francis PEI Cattle Producers | Coral Manastersky Maple Leaf Foods |
The Annual General Meeting of the Agency was held in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference at the BMO Centre.
Newly elected Chair Chad Ross of Saskatchewan is thankful for the work of the past Chair and Agency Members, and is ready to continue the momentum, ensuring a strong return for Canadian producers.
“We have worked hard to structure the Agency in a way that meets the needs of our industry,” said Ross. “It allows us to focus on the important aspects of our role: measurable returns for the check-off and import levy that are invested in our country.”
Melinda German, General Manager of the Agency, feels confident that the Agency is set up for success.
“The work that our Agency Members put in last year has ensured that we have a solid foundation underneath us. This is incredibly important for the Agency as we keep our sights on our vision of a unified and sustainable national funding strategy for Canadian beef cattle research, market development and promotion,” said German.
Joining Ross on the Agency’s Executive Committee will be Jeff Smith of Alberta as Vice-Chair, Larry Weatherby of Nova Scotia as Governance Chair and Kirk Jackson of Quebec as Finance Chair.
The Agency’s Marketing Committee also re-elected two Members-at-Large to their committee this year.
The Marketing Committee is responsible for planning and establishing Canada Beef’s strategic, business and operational goals and objectives and for the overall management and operation of the business and affairs.
The Marketing Committee is made of the following individuals:
| Elected: | Appointed: | |
| Helen Langford HSL Consulting Ltd. | Mike Kennedy Canadian Meat Council | |
| Becky Bevacqua McDonald’s Canada | Leslie Bielak Canadian Meat Council | |
| Hubert Lau BIXSco | Russ Mallard Canadian Meat Council | |
| Mike Guest Western Prime Meat Processors | Alexandre Fontaine Canadian Meat Council | |
| Jack Chaffe Beef Farmers of Ontario | Coral Manastersky I.E. Canada | |
| David Francis PEI Cattle Producers | Steve Christie Retail and Foodservice |
The Marketing Committee also elected their officers, including Mike Kennedy as Chair, Coral Manastersky as Vice-Chair and Russ Mallard as Finance Chair.
The Agency would like to recognize the outgoing Agency Chair Heinz Reimer. Reimer has been an Agency Member representing the Manitoba Beef Producers since 2015, and through his year as Chair, led the Agency into a more focus and structured role.
Also departing the Agency this year are Charles Dyer and Lonnie Lake. Both of these Agency Members have provided keen insight and strong industry support to the organization during their tenure.
The Agency’s 2018/19 Annual Report is available online at www.cdnbeefcheckoff.ca.
The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency manages and administers the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off. By working with core partners, the Agency ensures that check-off dollars are invested into research, market development and promotion programs that deliver measurable value to the Canadian beef industry. The Agency is responsible for communicating the value of the check-off investment, as well as training and education of producers and funding partners, regulatory management, collection and administration of check-off dollars.
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For more information, please contact:
Tayla Fraser Manager, Partner Engagement
(403) 275-5890
Front: Kirk Jackson, PBQ; David Francis, PEICP; Jack Chaffe, BFO; Mary Paziuk, MBP; Steve Christie, RTFS; Coral Manastersky, I.E. Canada; Jeff Smith, Vice Chair, ABP.
Missing: Leslie Bielak, CMC
