Main Content

Board Members

• 

  Art Froehlich, Chairman

  Art is a senior partner of one of North America's largest agricultural marketing and communications companies. Art has spent the last 25 years working in primary food production, agri-business and agri-marketing in Canada, United States, Europe, South America and Asia. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Agriculture, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, Advanced Management Program. In addition to sitting on several private corporate boards, he also is the Co-Chair of the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute and Genome Alberta. As well Art sits on the Board of ATB Financial, Prince Rupert Grain, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

• 

  Bob Splane, Vice 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.”

• 

  Shane Chrapko

  Since 1994, Shane and his brother Evan have been successfully globalizing businesses that have a strong intellectual property, knowledge-based component. The brothers' accomplishments include launching, building and selling The DocSpace Company for $811 million. They then co-founded Time Industrial Inc. with Shane in charge of all Sales, Business Development and Partnerships for the company. The company serves all aspects of the energy sector, from engineering through to capital construction/expansion and also operations/maintenance.
  Mr. Chrapko holds a B.Sc, Agriculture; University of Alberta and he is also a Professional Agrologist. He regularly contributes to his alma mater as a member of the University of Alberta Faculty of Science Visiting Committee and Faculty of Agriculture Life and Environmental Sciences, Advisory Council.

• 

  Dr. Robert Church

  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. Bob is also a founding director for AVAC.
  “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.”

• 

  Kate Dykstra

  Kate is senior counsel with Parlee McLaws LLP. She received her Master of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 2000. Kate's practice is primarily focused on advising companies in a wide range of transactional and financing issues. Her clients include startup entities, corporations with international offices, and Aboriginal and Metis groups. Kate has also acted for professional sports teams and other major enterprises – particularly in the areas of marketing, licensing, and financing – having spent three years as general counsel to the Edmonton Oilers, the Edmonton Trappers, and a major corporate group. Kate was past Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAIT. In 2005, Kate was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal, which pays tribute to Albertans who have made an outstanding contribution to the province.

• 

  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 he 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.

• 

  Dr. Rob Rennie

  Dr. Rennie has over 20 years of experience in the fertilizer business first in R&D with Esso Chemical and then with Agrium Inc. and since 1998 leading the successful growth of Agrium’s retail and wholesale investments in Argentina. Dr. Rennie retired from Agrium as Vice President, South America and Vice President, Corporate Affairs and as Chairman of the Board of Profertil S.A., Agrium’s wholesale joint venture with Spain’s Repsol-YPF, and as Chairman of the Board of Agroservicios Pampeanos, Agrium’s wholly-owned retail in Argentina. Prior to working in industry Dr. Rennie worked as a scientist for the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria and for the Research Branch of Agriculture Canada. Dr. Rennie earned a BSA (Honours) from the University of Saskatchewan, a MSc from Universite Laval and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. He serves as a member of the Board of the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute, the Canadian Fertilizer Institute and is Vice Chairman of the Agricultural Committee of the Paris-based International Fertilizer Industry Association.

• 

  Sandy Slator

  Recently retired as 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 as Chair of the Alberta Cancer Foundation and on the External Board of Advisors of IRSM, The Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine and on the Board of Directors of J Ennis Fabrics Ltd.

• 

  Rick Smith

  cChairman of the Board of SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (TSX:SBS); Director of Commercial Solutions Inc. (TSX:CSA); Co- Chair of BioAlberta; Member, Board of Advisors of AVRIO.

  Mr. Smith started his position as an AVAC Director in September of 2006. He has significant senior management experience in the life sciences area, 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.

• 

  Jim Thacker

  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.