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:
 

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 at www.canadabeef.ca/national-check-off.

 

 

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For more information, please contact:
 
Tayla Fraser
Manager, Partner Engagement
(403) 275-5890
tfraser@nco.canadabeef.ca