Grain Farmers of Ontario announces new board of directors
GUELPH, ON (March 17, 2014) – Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased to announce the 2014 Board of Directors with a new Director for District 8. The Board consists of 15 Directors representing the interests of our farmer-members across the province. Each one draws upon their own grain farming experience and dedication to community leadership for the betterment of our organization and the future of the grain industry.
The 2014 Board of Directors:
District 1 (Essex) – Leo Guilbeault
District 2 (Kent) – Mark Huston
District 3 (Lambton) – Dave Park
District 4 (Middlesex) – Joe Thomson
District 5 (Elgin, Norfolk) – Scott Persall
District 6 (Haldimand, Brant, Hamilton, Niagara) – Gerry Prentice
District 7 (Waterloo, Oxford) – Kevin Armstrong
District 8 (Huron) – Keith Black
District 9 (Perth) – Mark Brock
District 10 (Grey, Bruce, Wellington) – Henry Van Ankum
District 11 (Dufferin, Simcoe, Halton, Peel, York) – Colin Elliott
District 12 (Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings) – Joe Hickson
District 13 (Prince Edward, Lennox, Addington, Frontenac, Lanark, Leeds, Grenville, Renfrew, Ottawa) – Don Kenny
District 14 (Prescott, Russell, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry) – Markus Haerle
District 15 (Northern Ontario) – Kevin Runnalls
Directors will now serve two-year terms, following a recent change in our election process approved through a regulatory review under the Farm Products Marketing Act. These new terms are being phased-in, and began with Directors in even numbered districts this year. Two-year terms for Directors in odd-numbered districts will begin next year. This will create more stability and consistency within the leadership of Grain Farmers of Ontario.
The Executive Committee has also been elected with a new Executive Member:
Chair – Henry Van Ankum
Vice Chair (2) – Mark Brock, Mark Huston
Executive Member – Markus Haerle
“Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Board of Directors remains committed to the core values and strategic goals of the organization and looks forward to another successful year,” says Henry Van Ankum, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We will continue to focus on research, market development and government policy to ensure the best opportunities are available for grain farmers.”
To learn more about our Directors, go to the ‘About us’ section at www.gfo.ca.
Grain Farmers of Ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.
Contact:
Barry Senft, CEO – 1-800-265-0550; bsenft@gfo.ca
Henry Van Ankum, Chair – 519-835-4200; henryvanankum@sympatico.ca
Meghan Burke, Communications – 519 767-2773; mburke@gfo.ca
