News Release Archive
AGRICULTURE/MARKETING--SENIOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS APPOINTED
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Guy Brown, minister of agriculture and marketing, is pleased to
announce several announcements to the senior management team
within the newly restructured department.
Michael Langman is director of the newly formed Resource
Stewardship Branch. Mr. Langman is a graduate of Queen's
University with a bachelor of science, with honours, and a master
of science in soil sciences. He worked with the department as a
provincial adviser on land use planning for eight years.
The Resource Stewardship Branch is responsible for resource
management along with agricultural training, education, research,
technology transfer and policy development related to resource
stewardship. The branch was created by bringing together some
staff from the former Extension Engineering Section and the Plant
Industry Branch.
Linda MacDonald is director of the Market and Food Industry
Development Branch. Ms. MacDonald has a bachelor of science in
home economics from Acadia University and a master of science in
applied human nutrition from the University of Guelph. She worked
as marketing specialist in the Marketing Branch for 13 years.
The Market and Food Industry Branch provides marketing leadership
in the areas of market opportunities, research, training and
programs.
George Burris is the director of the Business Development Branch.
Mr. Burris has a bachelor of administration degree from Acadia
University and is completing a master of business administration
in agriculture from the University of Guelph. Mr. Burris was
manager of the Grain and Forage Commission before becoming
manager of development programs in 1995.
The Business Development Branch is responsible for risk
management and financial development programs. The branch is an
amalgamation of the Program Development Section, Land and Credit
Services Branch, Crop and Livestock Insurance and the Farm
Business Management Section.
Over the past year, the department has conducted a comprehensive
evaluation of its role and services. In consultation with those
in the agrifood industry, the restructuring plan was developed to
help position the department to meet the rapidly changing needs
of the industry.
Restructuring was formally put in place on April 1. At that time,
the department announced the appointments of George Smith,
director of Quality Evaluation Branch; David Sangster, director
of Production Technology Branch; Jim Goit, director of Rural
Leadership Branch, and Brian Smith, executive director of the
Policy Secretariat.
The Quality Evaluation Branch consolidates laboratory and
analytical work, meat inspection and veterinary programs. The
Production Technology Branch combines staff from the Plant
Industry and Animal Industry Branches and structure engineers
from the Extension Engineering Section. The Rural Leadership
Branch was the former Extension Branch and includes Field
Services and the 4-H and Rural Organizations sections. The Policy
Secretariat includes the Policy Analysis, Legislation and
Communication Sections.
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Contact: Susan Horne
Agriculture and Marketing
902-424-5719
trp June 4, 1997 - 2:20 p.m.
