Board of Directors
Bob Splane, Chairman
Mr. Splane currently serves as board chair of ATB financial. He has also served as president and managing director of the AFSC from 1988 to 1996, prior to sitting as chair of the organization’s board of directors for 10 years. He was founding president of the Bank of Alberta, which later became the Canadian Western Bank where he was also the initial president. Other career highlights include serving as chair of the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation and on the board of directors for the Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation (now the Alberta Capital Finance Authority). He also owns and operates a family farm in the Boyle area.
“During the past 30 years, I have had the opportunity to serve as a director of 17 companies, mostly related to finance and agriculture. AVAC’s board provides a unique opportunity to leverage knowledge and capital in creating agrivalue.”
Dr. Robert Church
Lochend Luing Ranch
Dr. Robert Church PhD is Professor Emeritus of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary. He was founding Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Biochemistry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary and Associate Dean Medical Research. He is a Past Chair of the Alberta Science and Research Authority, Past President of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede and has served as a Director for many companies, including Connaught Laboratories Ltd., Biostar Inc., CV Technologies, Veterinary Infectious Diseases Organization, Alta Genetics Inc., CIBA-Geigy Ltd., Neurospheres Ltd., and Vencap Equities Ltd.
Dr. Robert Church PhD is Professor Emeritus of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary. He was founding Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Biochemistry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary and Associate Dean Medical Research. He is a Past Chair of the Alberta Science and Research Authority, Past President of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede and has served as a Director for many companies, including Connaught Laboratories Ltd., Biostar Inc., CV Technologies, Veterinary Infectious Diseases Organization, Alta Genetics Inc., CIBA-Geigy Ltd., Neurospheres Ltd., and Vencap Equities Ltd.
“I'm a firm believer that AVAC has a key role to play in Alberta's innovation strategy. In particular, AVAC has the opportunity of addressing value-added opportunities across the province.”
Tom Droog
Founder, owner and operator of Alberta Sunflower Seeds, brand names "Spitz" and "Bird Preferred." Three-time winner of the 50 Best Managed Private Companies award for innovative business practices, 1996 Prairie Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2006, Tom received the degree of Doctors of Law, honoris causa, from the University of Lethbridge.
“My advice to an upcoming entrepreneur... perseverance can make a good idea a reality. Don't give up your dream.”
Ken McCready
K.F. McCready and Associates
Mr. McCready serves as Senior Policy Advisor to the Energy Council of Canada. He has a long career in conventional energy, alternative energy and large project development - most recently in his roles with biomass energy startup companies and earlier in his role as President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation. He currently sits on a number of Corporate and Advisory Boards, including: EnCana Corporation, Royal Utilities Income Fund, Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd., Computer Modelling Group Ltd., Nexterra Energy Corp., NaiKun Wind Development Inc., and Biosphere Technologies Inc.
Mr. McCready serves as Chair for Natural Resources Canada Advisory Board on Energy Science and Technology and as a member of the Federal Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology. He became a Director of AVAC Ltd. in September of 2006.
Mr. McCready serves as Senior Policy Advisor to the Energy Council of Canada. He has a long career in conventional energy, alternative energy and large project development - most recently in his roles with biomass energy startup companies and earlier in his role as President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation. He currently sits on a number of Corporate and Advisory Boards, including: EnCana Corporation, Royal Utilities Income Fund, Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd., Computer Modelling Group Ltd., Nexterra Energy Corp., NaiKun Wind Development Inc., and Biosphere Technologies Inc.
Mr. McCready serves as Chair for Natural Resources Canada Advisory Board on Energy Science and Technology and as a member of the Federal Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology. He became a Director of AVAC Ltd. in September of 2006.
Neal Oberg
Owner and operator of ENO Farms in Forestburg, Alta. He also served as Chairman of the Board for Canadian Fibretech Inc., co-chair of AARI, and director of ASRA.
“The value of knowledge is in its use, not in its possession. AVAC is the enabler for that knowledge and puts it into use.”
Dr. Michael Raymont
Michael Raymont is principal and partner with an Asian-based private equity company where heads the energy and resources practice. Previously, Michael was Chief Executive Officer of EnergyINet Inc., and before that Acting President and Vice-President, Technology and Industry Support, with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). He has extensive international experience, having spent almost seven years outside Canada, in the US, East Asia and Europe. He holds board positions in a number of public and private technology companies, and is a member of several professional associations. Dr. Raymont has B.Sc (Hons) and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry, and was a Killam Scholar. He holds two patents, and has authored over 100 publications and presentations, principally on technology commercialization and economic development.
Sandy Slator
Recently retired president and Chief Executive Officer of PTI Group Inc., North America’s leading integrated provider of lodging and food services to remote locations. Past chair of the Canadian Venture Capital Association and The Edmonton Space and Science Foundation. Currently serves on several Corporate and community service Boards.
Rick Smith
Chairman of the Board of SemBioSys Genetics; Chairman of the Board of Cevena Bioproducts; independent director of Commercial Solutions Inc.
Mr. Smith started his position as an AVAC Director in September of 2006. He has held senior management experience in the life sciences are, including human pharmaceuticals, animal health and plant sciences with Eli Lilly and Company, as well as several commercialization initiatives in plant biotechnology. He retired at the end of 2005 as President and CEO of Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company. He is the founding chairman of Bio Products Canada Inc. and is a member of the Board and the Executive Committee of BioAlberta.
Jim Thacker
G. Thacker & Sons
Mr. Thacker became an AVAC Director in September of 2006 and looks forward to doing some great things. He was born and raised on the family farm in Bow Island. He currently farms with his brothers on the family farm that has grown food products for over 80 years. Today they produce crops on several thousand acres and process them in technologically advanced cereals, essential oils, and dried leaf processing systems. They are recognized as being leaders in their industry.
Mr. Thacker became an AVAC Director in September of 2006 and looks forward to doing some great things. He was born and raised on the family farm in Bow Island. He currently farms with his brothers on the family farm that has grown food products for over 80 years. Today they produce crops on several thousand acres and process them in technologically advanced cereals, essential oils, and dried leaf processing systems. They are recognized as being leaders in their industry.