Agency elects new members and marketing committee at AGM

For Immediate Release

August 16, 2018 – The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency (the Agency) is pleased to announce the Board of Directors for 2018/19 following the Annual General Meeting on August 14, 2018 in London, ON.

The 2018/19 Agency Board has been announced as:

Primary Producers:

  • Linda Allison, British Columbia
  • Jeff Smith, Alberta
  • Doug Sawyer, Alberta
  • Chad Ross, Saskatchewan
  • Heinz Reimer, Manitoba
  • Jack Chaffe, Ontario
  • Kirk Jackson, Quebec
  • Charles Dyer, New Brunswick
  • Larry Weatherby, Nova Scotia
  • David Francis, Prince Edward Island

Canadian Meat Council:

  • Russ Mallard, Atlantic Beef Products
  • Alexandre Fontaine, Montpak
  • Mike Kennedy, Cargill
  • Anthony Petronaci, Ryding Regency

Retail and Foodservice:

  • Lonnie Lake, Sysco Canada
  • Steve Christie, Sysco Canada (temporary substitute)

I.E. Canada:

  • Coral Manastersky, Maple Leaf Foods

The Annual General Meeting of the Agency was held in conjunction with the Canadian Beef Industry Conference at the London Convention Centre.

Newly elected Chair Heinz Reimer is confident that the new Agency Members are ready to work together to build on the solid foundation set by the last board, and ensure that the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off continues to bring a strong return to Canadian producers.

“The Agency has worked hard to move forward and better ourselves on behalf of Canadian beef producers,” said Reimer.  “Now we need to focus on our vision: a unified and sustainable national funding strategy for Canadian beef cattle research, market development and promotion.”

Melinda German, General Manager of the Agency, is also positive about the Agency’s future.

“By focusing on our four main objectives of ensuring transparent administration, delivering measurable value, engaging and educating stakeholders, and growing connections with industry, we will be able to deliver on the expectations set by Canadian beef producers for us as an Agency,” said German. “Producers deserve to see a strong return in research and marketing for their investment, and we want the administration of the Agency to provide strong value as well.”

Joining Reimer on the Agency’s Executive Committee will be Chad Ross of Saskatchewan as Vice-Chair, Larry Weatherby of Nova Scotia as Governance Chair and Lonnie Lake representing retail and foodservice as Finance Chair.

New this year was the opportunity for the Agency’s voting delegates to elect up to four members-at-large to the Marketing Committee, as well as two primary producers from those elected as Agency Members.  They will join the members appointed to the committee by the Agency.

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:

  • Helen Lanford, Boston Pizza International
  • Becky Bevacqua, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada
  • Hubert Lau, BIXSco
  • Mike Guest, Western Prime Meat Processors
  • Jack Chaffe, Ontario
  • Jeff Smith, Alberta

Appointed:

  • Mike Kennedy, Cargill
  • Anthony Petronaci, Ryding Regency
  • Russ Mallard, Atlantic Beef Products
  • Alexandre Fontaine, Montpak
  • Coral Manastersky, Maple Leaf Foods
  • David Francis, Prince Edward Island

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 Linda Allison.  Allison has been a long-standing Canadian beef industry advocate, and dedicated to both national and provincial beef boards. Allison remains on the board.

Also departing the Agency this year is Arthur Batista, whose strong industry knowledge and years of board experience will be missed by the organization.

The Agency’s 2017/18 Annual Report is available online.

The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency manages and administers the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and import levy. 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 and import levy investment, as well as training and education of producers and funding partners, regulatory management, collection and administration of check-off and import levy dollars.

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For more information, please contact:

Tayla Fraser
Manager, Partner Engagement
(403) 275-5890

 

2018/19 Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency Board of Directors

Back (L to R): Lonnie Lake, Retail and Foodservice; Anthony Petronaci, CMC; Mike Kennedy, CMC; Alexandre Fontaine, CMC; Chad Ross, SK; Doug Sawyer, AB; Larry Weatherby, NS; Kirk Jackson, QC; Charles Dyer, NB; David Francis, PE

Front (L to R); Jeff Smith, AB; Jack Chaffe, ON; Coral Manastersky, I.E. Canada; Heinz Reimer, MB; Russ Mallard, CMC; Linda Allison, BC

 

2018/19 Marketing Committee Members

Back (L to R): Jeff Smith, Mike Guest, Jack Chaffe, Anthony Petronaci, Alex Fontaine, Helen Langford, Russ Mallard

Front (L to R): David Francis, Coral Manastersky, Mike Kennedy, Hubert Lau, Becky Bevacqua

By Tayla Fraser August 16, 2018

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