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Board Members
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Dr. Rob Rennie, Chairman
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.
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Jerry Bouma
Jerry Bouma has over 30 years experience as a management consultant in the agri-food industry. As a founder and senior partner with Toma & Bouma Management Consultants, he has managed more than 500 strategic planning and marketing projects. In addition to his consulting experience, Jerry served as Member of the Board (1999 to 2010) for Northlands, and Horse Racing Alberta (2002 to 2007).
Currently Jerry serves as Board Chair of the Little Potato Company, Chair of the Edmonton Triathlon Academy and Advisor to the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre. He is a former member of the Canadian Track & Field Team and holds a M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph and a B.Sc. in Mathematics from Villanova University, Pennsylvania.
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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.” -
Art Froehlich
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 and Prince Rupert Grain.
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Myles Hamilton
Myles Hamilton Myles Hamilton has over 25 years of experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry with Procter & Gamble, Frito Lay a division of PepsiCo and Spitz International. Myles attended Washington State University and graduated in 1984 with a BA in Business Administration majoring in Marketing. Myles is President of his own investment company M.V.S.Hamilton Investments and serves on several boards including: Spartan Foundation at Trinity Western University, Center Street Church, Airdrie Registry, and T&E Ventures
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Bill McKenzie
Bill McKenzie is Senior Advisor and Director of a private equity fund, an infrastructure investment fund, and several private companies. He has extensive experience in private equity investments plus corporate development, including leading 20 investments with an aggregate investment value in excess of $2 billion, and serving as a director of 20 companies.
Previously, Bill was Senior Vice President of Alberta Investment Management Corporation, Vice President of Vencap Equities, and Vice President Corporate Development of The Churchill Corporation. Bill has also been an active personal investor in emerging companies.
Bill McKenzie holds MBA and B Admin degrees, plus designations as a Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Management Accountant and ICD.D.
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Colette Miller
Colette Miller (Vegreville) is the senior partner with Wilde and Company Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta. She specializes in owner-managed business including taxation, finance and succession planning, and has a special interest in agricultural related companies. Her expertise is enhanced by her personal experience of farming with her husband on their cattle and grain operation.
Colette has extensive experience with the Public Sector as an auditor, consultant and instructor for municipalities, school divisions and health organizations. An active volunteer with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (ICAA) and CA School of Business, Colette also served on ICAA Council from 2004 to 2008, including one term as Secretary-Treasurer. She is presently a director of ATB Financial, serving on the audit and HR committees.
Colette is very involved with her community including the Rotary Club, WendyBrook Music Festival, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Relay for Life.
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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.
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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, The Edmonton Space and Science Foundation, Alberta Cancer Foundation. Currently serves 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.
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Rick Smith
cChairman of the Board of SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (TSX:SBS); Director of Commercial Solutions Inc. (TSX:CSA); Co- Chair of BioAlberta.
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.
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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.
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