Board of Directors
Donald Bettle, Director since January 25, 2007
Donald Bettle has spent the last 30 years working in the agriculture industry in New Brunswick. He was formerly the chairman of the Canadian Atlantic Dairy Export Co-op, which administers the Canadian Quality Milk Program. His past achievements include serving on a committee to develop Canada's trade position for agriculture and WTO, serving as chairman and director on the Dairy Farmers of New Brunswick, and directing the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Agriculture Producers Association.
Sylvie Cloutier, Director since April 11, 2012
Sylvie Cloutier, of Bromont, Quebec, has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebec’s Council of Food Processing and Consumer Products since 2010. Prior to this role, Ms. Cloutier served the Council as Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs from 2003 to 2010. Between 1999 and 2003, Ms. Cloutier was Vice President of Communications for the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors as well as Executive Director of the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. Ms. Cloutier also worked for global public relations company Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, as well as the federal government. Ms. Cloutier holds a BA in Communications from the University of Ottawa.
Caroline Granger, Director since
Caroline Granger was born in North Bay, Ontario and is an honours graduate of the Winery Management and Viticultural program from Loyalist College, Belleville, Ont. She's the founder and CEO of the Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery. The Grange is Prince Edward County's largest grape grower and winery. Ms. Granger was chosen as the 2006 Business Woman of the Year of Prince Edward County and was a nominee for the Rosemary Davis Award. Ms. Granger is also the Co-chair of the Prince Edward County Tourism Development Alliance and Chair of Alternatives for Women in Prince Edward County.
Brad Hanmer, Director since January 25, 2007
Along with his parents and two brothers, Brad Hanmer currently owns and operates a commercial grain and pedigreed seed farm and runs a family-owned seed retail and seed processing and exporting business. He has served as president of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, director for the Canadian Canola Growers Association and was the founding chairman of the Biodiesel Association of Canada — fostering the commercialization of biodiesel in Canada.
Dale Johnston, Chairperson, Director since
June 23, 2011
Dale Johnston resides in Ponoka County, Alberta, where he owns and operates a mixed operation. He brings more than four decades of experience in farming and an extensive career in public service to FCC. Mr. Johnston served as Member of Parliament from 1993 to 2006 as well as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. He was also a Member of the Board of Internal Trade, Chief Opposition Whip, from 2004 to 2006.
Before his career in Parliament, Mr. Johnston was councillor and reeve for the County of Ponoka and Chairman of the County of Ponoka's Board of Education from 1989 to 1992. He served as a Member of the Board of Directors at Ponoka General Hospital from 1986 to 1992.
Mr. Johnston is a strong supporter of 4-H and continues to be involved in a variety of organizations, including Rural Crime Watch, Loyal Order of the Moose and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #66.
John D. Klippenstein, Director since July 30, 2008
John Klippenstein lives in Steinbach, Man., where he is in public practice as a CMA. Since 1972, Mr. Klippenstein has actively worked with farm clients in matters of financing, accounting, purchase and sale, expansion, intergenerational transfer, income taxes and analysis of government programs. Raised on the family dairy farm at Hanover, Man., Mr. Klippenstein later operated the farm for a number of years. From 1965 to 1970, he worked as general manager of the Manitoba Mennonite Mutual Insurance Company, after which he served as chief accountant for the Barkman group of companies from 1970 to 1972. Mr. Klippenstein has held many professional association positions, including president of the Manitoba Society of Management Accountants from 1992 to 1993. In 2001, he became the 12th Manitoba CMA to be awarded a life membership by the Manitoba Society of Management Accountants.
Doris Priddle, Director since November 26, 2012
Doris Priddle gained an extensive background in agriculture as the owner and manager of various farm operations in Ontario and Alberta, and from having held various positions within the Ontario and Alberta governments, including the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Solicitor General of Alberta, and the Alberta Ministry of Economic Trade and Development. Ms. Priddle holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Guelph, where she was a recipient of the Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Award.
Ross Ravelli, Director since February 10, 2010
Ross Ravelli of Dawson Creek, B.C. is the owner of Ravelli Farms Ltd., a third-generation 2,500-acre grains and oilseeds operaton. Mr. Ravelli has had an extensive career in farm organizations, beginning in the late 1980s. Over the past decade, Mr. Ravelli has had the opportunity to lead two national organizations. He was president of the Canadian Canola Growers Association from 2002 to 2006 and recently completed his second term as president of the 80,000-member Grain Growers of Canada. Mr. Ravelli is currently a commissioner with the B.C. Utilities Commission. Mr. Ravelli has traveled extensively both nationally and internationally, promoting both Canadian agriculture and Canadian agriculture producers.
Brenda Schoepp, Director since February12, 2013
Brenda Schoepp resides near Rimbey, Alberta, and is a partner in a cow/calf and rescue horse operation. With 34 years in agriculture production and agri-business, and over 20 years of experience as a published author and consultant, Ms. Schoepp is a leader in agriculture. She has served over 25 years in leadership positions on several provincial and federal boards and commissions and is also the founder of Women in Search of Excellence (WISE). Ms. Schoepp owns and publishes BEEFLINK, a weekly national newsletter on the strategies of beef and beef cattle marketing and her column is featured in national and provincial newspapers and magazines. She is a professional speaker and mentor for young entrepreneurs. In 2012, she was awarded the 2012 Nuffield Canada Farming Scholarship, and in 2011, she was a Cattlemen Young Leaders Mentor for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. In 2006, Ms. Schoepp was named by Alberta Venture magazine as one of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People.
Jason Skinner, P.Ag., Director since February 12, 2009
Jason Skinner of Wilkie, Saskatchewan brings 20 years of experience in marketing, policy and management in agriculture to the FCC Board. For the past 10 years, he has been CEO of North West Terminal Ltd., a farmer-shareholder owned inland grain terminal in Saskatchewan. Prior to this, he worked for the Canadian Wheat Board in various roles, culminating in Marketing Manager for the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Skinner is a founding member and marketing advisor at Skinners' Jade Farms Ltd., a crop production and marketing operation in Wilkie. A member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists and the Canadian Agricultural Economics and Farm Management Society, he is a director of the Inland Terminal Association of Canada as well as former director of Alliance Grain Terminal Ltd. in Vancouver. Mr. Skinner holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics and a diploma in Crop Production Management, all from the University of Saskatchewan.
Greg Stewart, P.Ag.,C.Dir., Director since January 1, 2008
Greg joined FCC in 1987 and worked in a number of progressively responsible positions, gaining extensive experience in operations and risk management. From 2002 to 2007, Greg was responsible for Farm Credit Canada’s national operations, including sales and marketing. During this period, the corporation’s portfolio nearly doubled as FCC enhanced its customer service and employee engagement. In 2005, Greg was appointed to the position of Executive Vice-President and in 2006, he was also named Chief Operating Officer. In 2007, Greg became responsible for the strategic leadership of FCC in his current role as President and CEO.
A professional agrologist, Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. Greg volunteers as a member of the board for the Adult Learning Centre and the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity.
