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.
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.
Ron Hierath, Director since January 25, 2007
Ron Hierath currently works as a realtor in residential and agricultural sales in Lethbridge, Alta. Before this, Mr. Hierath was a member of the legislative assembly for the Government of Alberta, when he chaired the Standing Policy Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development and became a member of the Grain Marketing and Transportation Committee. Prior to that, Mr. Hierath was a thirdgeneration wheat and barley producer for over 25 years, and a pork producer for over 20 years. He has also served as a member of the Alberta Grain Commission, Western Barley Growers Association, and director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
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.
Dale Johnston, 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.
Gill O. Shaw, BScA, MBA, Chair and Director since October 30, 2006
Gill O. Shaw has over 30 years of experience in agricultural and financial management, and is a specialist in large commercial credit administration. From 1991 to 2002, he served as chief executive officer of the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation and, during that time, was a member of the executive committee of the Manitoba Department of Agriculture. From 1989 to 1991, he served as executive director of the Manitoba Farm Mediation Board. He lives in Brandon, Man.
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.
Carl Spencer, Director since November 26, 2009
Carl Spencer, of Tara, Ontario, brings more than four decades in farming as well as experience in feeder cattle financing, farm organizations and public service to FCC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, and owns and operates a 1,800 acre farm that includes 300 beef cow and calf pairs and 550 head of feeder cattle. He also produces and sells maple syrup from 1,500 trees. Carl was involved in municipal politics as Finance Chairman, Deputy Mayor and Mayor. He’s chaired the Ontario Association of Feeder Finance Clubs, the Twin County Feeder Finance Cooperative and the Ontario Beginning Farmer Assistance Program Appeal Board. For nearly 40 years, he’s been actively involved in the Grey County Cattlemen’s Association and the Grey County Federation of Agriculture. He’s also been on the Ontario Nutrient Management Advisory Board, Ontario Beef Producers for Change, the Grey County farm Safety Association, and the Canadian Farm Survival Association.
Greg Stewart, P.Ag., 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.
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.
