New Board Members Bring Talent and Commitment to the Viability of Canada's Horticulture Industry

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre appoints three new members to Board of Directors

VINELAND, ON, Sept. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) announced that its Board of Directors has appointed three new members.

Rory Francis, Executive Director of BioAlliance; Dr. Warren Jestin, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, Scotiabank; and Phil Tregunno, President, Tregunno Fruit Farms Inc., will join Vineland's board, effective today.  The appointments increase the number of Vineland directors from 10 to 13.

"Since its start-up in 2007, Vineland has worked to recruit talented and diverse leaders to its independent board," said John F.T. Scott, Chair, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.  "Rory, Warren and Phil bring tremendous operational, capital and leadership expertise to the table.  I'm confident their contributions will support Dr. Jim Brandle and his team in accelerating Vineland's unique research value across the horticultural sector, serving our stakeholders, and strengthening partnerships from research to retail."

"Vineland's distinctive model of private sector and industry investment, program delivery and focus on real results benefits tremendously from the advice and direction provided by a board made up of such experienced leaders," said Dr. Jim Brandle, Chief Executive Officer, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.  "Rory, Warren and Phil bring remarkable talent to the board and I'm grateful for their support, as well as the ongoing support from all of the directors."

About Rory Francis

Rory Francis has 30 years experience in professional, management and leadership roles in the public and private sectors.  Mr. Francis had led transformative change in several public sector organizations encompassing economic and social policy, programs and services.

Since 2004 he has been Executive Director of BioAlliance, a not-for-profit network of bioscience business, academic and research organizations and government agencies based in Prince Edward Island.

Mr. Francis is a member of the Canadian BioAccord and serves as a board member with the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, the PEI AgriFood Alliance Inc., and is Chair of the Advisory Board for the Culinary Institute of Canada's Technology Access Centre.

About Dr. Warren Jestin

Dr. Warren Jestin is Chief Economist with Scotiabank and has been with the bank since 1979.  He has also worked at the Bank of Canada and taught at several Canadian universities.  Mr. Jestin is Economist-in-Residence, College of Management and Economics, University of Guelph, and has served on advisory boards for the University of Guelph and the Sobey School of Business at St. Mary's University.

Mr. Jestin has been a member of the C.D. Howe Institute's Monetary Policy Council and been involved with policy committees of the Canadian and Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Toronto Board of Trade.  As Chair of Scotiabank's Sponsorship and Donations Committee, Mr. Jestin works closely with a wide variety of charitable institutions.

About Phil Tregunno

Mr. Tregunno is a fourth-generation farmer operating the 700-acre Tregunnno Fruit Farms Inc. along the Niagara River in Ontario. With a focus on new technologies, improved varieties and organics, the operation has grown and prospered, packing more quality fruit for the Canadian marketplace.

Mr. Tregunno serves as Chairman of the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers Marketing Board, Chairman of Vineland Growers Co-operative, and as Director of the Winery and Growers Alliance of Ontario.

Vineland's Board of Directors also includes Robert Bierhuizen, President of Sunrise Greenhouses Inc.; Paul-André Bosc Jr., President of Château des Charmes; Dr. Jim Brandle, Chief Executive Officer, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre; Marilyn Knox, President and Chief Executive Officer, Maternal and Infant, Nestlé Nutrition North America; Anthony Longo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.; Alan Ralph, retired chartered accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP;  John Scott, Chair, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre; William Stensson, Chief Executive Officer, Sheridan Nurseries; The Honourable Lyle Vanclief, former Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; and Jamie Warner, owner of Warner Orchards.

About Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) is a world-class research centre dedicated to horticultural science and innovation. Located in Canada's Niagara Region, Vineland's mission is to deliver innovative product and production solutions that address the needs of the horticulture industry and advance Canada's research and commercialization agenda. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization, funded in part by Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. For more information visit www.vinelandresearch.com

SOURCE: Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Kathryn Goodish, Communications and Public Relations Advisor
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
e: [email protected] l  p: 905.630.3772