GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR FOOD SECURITY ANNOUNCES FOUNDING BOARD AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENT

Released on February 5, 2013

New directors bring leadership in industry, government and academia

The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) is pleased to announce the appointment of three directors to its founding board: Mr. Dallas Howe, current Chair of the Board of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.; Ms. Alanna Koch, Deputy Minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture; and Mr. Peter MacKinnon, former President of the University of Saskatchewan.

The province of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan, and PotashCorp formally established the Global Institute for Food Security in Saskatoon in December 2012 with initial commitments of up to CDN $35 million from PotashCorp and CDN $15 million from the province over the next seven years to address the increasing global demand for safe, reliable food.

“We are delighted to welcome these highly respected and distinguished leaders to our board table,” Dr. Roger Beachy, founding Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of GIFS said.  “Their considerable leadership, vision and insight will help us chart a clear and strong course for the future and establish GIFS among the most preeminent food security research institutes in the world.”

Mr. Howe is a recognized business leader, innovator and entrepreneur with expertise in agriculture, information technology and governance.  As a corporate director, Mr. Howe has served on the boards of Canada’s leading agriculture, crop input and agri-marketing companies including PotashCorp and Viterra (formerly Saskatchewan Wheat Pool).  He has been recognized with the Institute of Corporate Directors Fellowship Award for his leadership in board governance.

Ms. Koch is a strong advocate for Saskatchewan and Canadian agriculture and has served on the boards of Agricore United and the George Morris Centre at the University of Guelph, and as the executive director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.  She is a former president of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance and currently serves on the boards of the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation and Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership.

Mr. MacKinnon is a legal scholar, writer and advisor to governments and post-secondary institutions in the areas of innovation and justice;  he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in January 2012.  Mr. MacKinnon was a member of the federal Science, Technology and Innovation Council from 2007-2012 and served as chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada from 2003-2005.

In addition to these founding board members, three additional directors will be nominated and appointed to the GIFS board in 2013.

The Institute is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ernie Barber, P.Ag., P.Eng. as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.  Dr. Barber has held many leadership positions at the University of Saskatchewan, including as former Dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources (1999-2007) and Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic (2007-2008).  He will oversee the administration and operation of GIFS, leveraging his deep understanding of the university and its partners in the agriculture and food sectors.

Complete biographies, photos and additional information about the Institute are available for download at www.globalinstituteforfoodsecurity.org.

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For more information, contact:

Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-2506
Email: kathryn.warden@usask.ca

Donna Rehirchuk
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5389
Email: donna.rehirchuk@gov.sk.ca

Bill Johnson
PotashCorp
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-8849
Email: bjohnson@potashcorp.com