Rural Ontario Institute Board of Directors

The new Rural Ontario Institute is governed by a 12 member volunteer Board of Directors. In addition there will be ex-officio representatives appointed annually as determined and invited by the Board of Directors.

Through their work with the Rural Ontario Institute the Board of Directors is responsible for the integrity, accountability, planning and evaluation of programs and services and the proper acquisition and management of resources.  Our dedicated Board members include:

Executive

	Chair Jim Whaley Wasaga Beach, ON		Vice Chair/Treasurer Rob Hannam Guelph, ON
	Secretary Stig Puschel Sudbury, ON

Directors

	William Bearss Brampton, ON		Janet Horner Shelburne, ON
	Julie Cayley Barrie, ON		Scott Merrifield Sudbury, ON
	Craig Desjardins Picton, ON		Cathy Redden Campbellford, ON
	Christine Dukelow Beaverton, ON		Chris White Rockwood, ON
	Dr. Rob Gordon Guelph, ON

 

Interested in becoming a Director on the Board of ROI? Click here.
 

Operational Committees

The operational committees of the Rural Ontario Institute will include:

• Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Advisory Committee (AALP AC)
• Business Development Advisory Committee (BD AC)

Operational committees support the efforts of the organization and staff at the operational level. These committees consist of volunteers from the Board and outside the organization as well as staff of the Rural Ontario Institute and provide advice and support directed at specific areas of the organization. They include:

Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Advisory Committee (AALP AC)

• Dan Wright* (Chair), AALP Class 10 | Monsanto Canada Inc.
• Steve Cooper* (Vice-Chair), AALP Class 11 | Coopers Goat and Veggy Farm
• Rick Upfold (Curriculum Advisor), University of Guelph
• Sara Avoledo*, AALP Class 12 | Office of Research, University of Guelph
• Clinton Buttar*, AALP Class 13 | Farm Credit Canada
• Kevin Laidley, OMAFRA
• Matt Langford*, AALP Class 13 | Matt Langford Insurance
• Brad Lichty*, AALP Class 12 | AGDATA Ltd.
• Carol Maki*, AALP Class 13 |
• Kathryn Minten*, AALP Class 13 | Minten Dairy Farms
• Bruce Read*, AALP Class 11 | Elanco Animal Health
• Nathan Stevens, AALP Class 12 | Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
• Teresa Van Raay*, AALP Class 9 | Van Raay Farms
• Rob Black, Chief Executive Officer, Rural Ontario Institute
• Kathie MacDonald, Communications Manager / AALP Coordinator

*indicates AALP graduate

Business Development Advisory Committee (BD AC)

• Membership to be determined

Networks

The Networks of the Rural Ontario Institute include:

• Environment Network
• Society Network
• Economy Network

These Networks are made up of like-minded people who participate in online discussion, meet on a consistent basis to focus on specific areas of rural interest and develop research and/or event strategies to provide all of us with a better rural perspective. Are you interested in getting more involved with the issues that have an impact on rural Ontario each and every day? Subscribe to the Rural Ontario Institute to learn more and to find out how you can get involved!