New directors join LRIC board
By Canadian Poultry magazine
News ResearchersAdditions include three experienced livestock industry professionals.
Three experienced livestock industry professionals have joined the Board of the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) as directors.
Jean Szkotnicki, recently retired as long-time President of the Canadian Animal Health Institute, animal health industry consultant Jim White, and Meat and Poultry Ontario Executive Director Franco Naccarato assumed their new roles at LRIC’s recently held annual general meeting.
“We’re excited about the depth of experience and skill our new directors will bring to our board team,” says LRIC Chair Oliver Haan. “This is a time of transformative change in the livestock industry and we look forward to harnessing their knowledge and insight as we continue to drive innovation through all parts of our value chain.”
Szkotnicki served the Canadian Animal Health Institute as president for 29 years, balancing the responsibility of advocating for veterinary pharmaceutical companies with the needs of veterinarians, livestock producers and consumers. A respected leader, she earned the trust of regulators across North America and Europe, and was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2017. She is now chair of LRIC’s Governance Committee.
White has been involved in marketing and leadership roles in the North American animal health and nutrition markets for more than 35 years with experience in big pharma, biotech start-up and privately owned biological enterprises. After retirement from corporate roles, his insights and passion for the animal health market continue as a consultant to the industry. He is now chair of LRIC’s International Research Advisory Committee.
Naccarato joined Meat and Poultry Ontario in 2018 as Executive Director. He is passionate about promoting and increasing the accessibility of Ontario food, and previously he served as Grants Manager at the Greenbelt Fund and Supervisor, Food Service with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The new directors fill positions vacated by Cornelia Kreplin and Paul Uys, who both retired, and Mike McMorris, who became LRIC’s CEO in September of last year.
Haan and Ontario Sheep Farmers Executive Director Jenn MacTavish continue in their roles as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Other directors include egg farmer Brian Miller, Beef Farmers of Ontario Executive Director Richard Horne (also chair of LRIC’s Finance and Audit Committee, and Ian Ross, President and CEO of Grand Valley Fortifiers, who also chairs LRIC’s Emerging Issues Committee.
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