A New Chairman of the UPGC has Been Elected
The United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) recently announced the election of a new chairman to lead the organization.
At the Annual General Meeting on March 13th, the CEO of Kroeker Farms in Manitoba, Wayne Rempel, was elected as the new Chair of the UPGC after serving several years as the Secretary. He takes over the position from potato grower Ray Keenen of Rollo Bay Holdings in PEI who held the position for many years.
“UPGC is pleased to have Ray stay on as Past Chair and would like to thank him for his long-time loyalty and support of the organization,” according to a recent press release.
To replace Denis Bissonnette, who resigned from his post this year, Gord Medynski, Director of Sales, Purchasing & Business Development for Dolbec Potatoes in Quebec, has been named the new Vice Chair. In addition to being the Vice President of the Fresh Committee and a part of the 5-member Executive Board of Les Producteurs de Pommes de Terre du Quebec, Medynski has held the position of Director of UPGC for several years. He also adds a wealth of expertise to the position.
Matt Hemphill, Executive Director of Potatoes New Brunswick, has been chosen Treasurer, succeeding Brenda Simmons of PEI, who has served on the United Board for many years. Greg Donald, former director and General Manager of the PEI Potato Board, has been chosen as the new Secretary, completing the officer roles.
“I am honored to be able to serve as chair of United Potato Growers of Canada. I have been involved with UPGC since its inception and have seen the benefits to all potato growers in Canada. I believe that knowledge is power and when we provide knowledge of the potato market directly to potato growers, they will be equipped to make better decisions that will positively affect their profits and viability,” Rempel said after the election.
Rempel is the CEO and President of Kroeker Farms in Manitoba, where he has worked since 1988. In June 2002, he became the company’s first non-family CEO.
Wayne is dedicated to industry participation; he presently serves as a governor on the Peak of the Market Board and is a member of numerous groups, including those of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada and the Canadian Potato Council.
