Assistant Director: Western Advanced Payments Program (APP), Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program (CALA), Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program (HILLRP)

The Canada and European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) senior trade policy adviser (Tariff Rate Quotas,Origin Quotas)

- Play a leadership role and coordinate a team of 30 senior level people from various backgrounds and sectors within industry and government to help foster a value chain approach to addressing industry issues. - Efforts coordinating the work of this team included motivating, aligning industry and government priorities, educating industry on the government processes, setting mandates, terms of reference and priorities, development of strong work plans, measuring results and ensuring member satisfaction. -Played the role of facilitator and provided clear and authoritative direction that has resulted in relationship building, working group development and outputs (project proposals) in a challenging fiscal environment. Activities include visioning exercises, setting priorities and establishing roles and responsibilities collaboratively with industry for the goal of developing industry-lead, government-facilitate projects to tackle key issues.

• National industry representative for the Canadian potato industry and leader of the Potato Team which was comprised of a Board of Directors, over 27 stakeholders from various sectors and points of the value chain (provincial/federal governments, research communities, international stakeholders, retail, breeders, packers, importers, exporters) and 11 working groups/committees. • Represented the growers (UPGC) monthly at the UPG of America's Board meetings with a goal of open and transparent information sharing on supply and market process to better adjust production to maximize profits. • Promoted the Canadian potato industry at national and international events through presentations to audiences of over 300 international stakeholders, the organization and participation in missions, participation in tradeshows and bilateral meetings with the United States.• Bilingual front line communicator and acted as the spokesperson and official representative for the Industry. • Guided and facilitated international marketing strategies (Potatoes Canada), which resulted in increased profile internationally and increased sales. • Lead of the farm records management project – initiated a working group bringing together equipment manufacturers, GPS manufacturers, software developers, Industry, growers and government to brainstorm solutions to existing challenges farmers face with keeping farm level and financial records. • Guided the Canadian potato industry including proposing a strategy for growers to address lack of markets information both in Canada and the US via new and existing tools and technology such as web based databases, AAFC InforHort system and innovative communication techniques. The United Potato Growers of Canada currently use components of the strategy to share markets information. • Managed a budget of over $300K and an IT employee.

 Senior Advisor and Portfolio Lead for Potatoes and Vegetables Experience in creating and leading diverse, multi-stakeholder teams to achieve consensus, address challenges and implement solutions:o Marketing Strategy Working group (Horticulture Value Chain Round Table (HVCRT))o Federal Potato Advisory Committeeo National Greenhouse liaison group o Energy Efficiency Roundtable Working Group (environmental) Problem solving through organizational knowledge and awareness. For example, utilizing federal portfolio partners (CFIA, DFAIT, Health, etc.) to advance the potato file and expedite mutually acceptable solutions for all stakeholders to complex issues, such as the Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN). Appearance, representing the potato file, at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (spring 2009) and as an expert witness at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (summer 2010). Significant experience advising industry on the grants and contribution process, including program eligibility, wording, budget forecasting and performance reporting. Core member of the interdepartmental industry-government PCN Task Team  Lead author on the Seed Potato Departmental Strategy for the ADM. Experience briefing senior management and Minister’s staff on complex issues, such as international regulatory impacts, state of markets and policy advice (power point presentations, briefing notes, memos, informal Q&A, etc). Project Manager and Liaison for an official visit of a Russian delegation of officials and industry members (2007), including hosting the delegation on tours, participating in networking events and giving presentations promoting collaboration and profitability. Experience in providing advice on the impact of federal and provincial government policies and programs on industry to both government and industry.  Represented the Department on national speaking panels in both official languages

 BSE Traceability Programs lead officer (development, budgeting and financial reporting), including as evaluator of funding applications. Program development (including Assistant Deputy Minister board presentations), implementation and delivery for the Canadian Radio frequency Identification Program and the Canadian Integrated Traceability Program. (including client services, process development, evaluation group organization, federal provincial territorial consultations and contribution agreement negotiation and communications). Manage and amend Contribution Agreements with national industry lead Organization tasked with developing standards for a multi species livestock tracking and tracing database (the Canadian Livestock Identification agency (CLIA). Including office set up and ongoing contracts for materials and programs.  Advise senior officials as to progress and alternatives, including financial and progress reporting.

• Experience in providing advice to industry on the impact of federal and provincial government policies and programs on Canadian agriculture industries (with specialization in fruits and vegetables and market building opportunities). • Chair of the National Foodservice Marketing Committee, members from Sunkist (producer), Sysco, Metro-Richelieu, The Oppenheimer Group, etc.• Pioneered the modeling, coordinating and analyzing of national CPMA foodservice trend analysis survey.• Team Leader of national and international economic evaluation and responsible for economics-related press releases.• Created/budgeted/published quarterly, bilingual marketing campaign materials for national and youth marketing strategy.• Spearheaded the first-ever Foodservice market survey in Canada.• Aided in organizing and implementing the 79th annual CPMA trade show (the largest in Canada).• Organized and implemented numerous child-focused marketing campaigns and partnerships (Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa, USA Pears, BC Tree Fruits, the Calgary Education Board).• Spoke in both official languages to over 100 industry leaders and on behalf of the Marketing Division of the CPMA.