Staff
President and CEO: Wilf Keller
On April 1, 2010, Dr. Wilf Keller assumed the role of president and CEO
of Ag-West Bio, while maintaining his position of CEO and president at
Genome Prairie.
Wilf was born in Melville, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of
Saskatchewan, receiving a doctoral degree with specialization in Crop
Science in 1972, and then studied as a postdoctoral scientist in the
Max-Planck Institut für Biologie, in Tubingen, Germany. Wilf was
employed as a Research Scientist with the Research Branch of Agriculture
Canada in Ottawa from 1973-89. During this period he pursued research on
cell genetics of selected Canadian crops and contributed to the
establishment of a plant biotechnology research program, which he
chaired from 1980-89. In 1990, he accepted a position with the Plant
Biotechnology Institute (PBI) of the National Research Council of Canada
in Saskatoon and served as Group Leader for canola biotechnology
research and Head of the Transgenic Plant Centre until 1999 when he
assumed the position of Research Director. In July 2007, Wilf assumed
the role of Acting Director General, PBI for a period of one year. He
took on the role of President and CEO of Genome Prairie in June, 2008.
Wilf has been actively involved in the development and application of
biotechnologies for the genetic modification of crops, particularly
canola. He has collaborated with numerous government, university and
industry groups and has provided training for researchers in plant
biotechnology. He has led major research initiatives on the application
of genomics in canola improvement, the development of industrial
bioproducts from vegetable oils, and production of bioactive natural
products in plants for enhanced human health and quality of life. He has
given many presentations and lectures on biotechnology including public
awareness and public education aspects of this emerging field. In June,
2010, Wilf was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Society
for In Vitro Biology.
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Manager, Finance and Administration: Kim Riel
Kim started with Ag-West in May 2009, as the Business Administrative Officer. In this role, Kim is responsible for general business operations, Accounting, Human Resources and she serves as Corporate Secretary for the Board of Directors. She has a diverse business background which includes establishing a new business with her husband in 2006 and previous management experience within the Operations Department of a local building manufacturer. Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics from the University of Saskatchewan, and is currently a Chartered Management Accountant (CMA) candidate.
Commercialization Manager: Brad Bly
Brad Bly joined Ag-West Bio in January 2009. Brad is an Agricultural Economist with seven years experience in private sector lending in Saskatchewan. He also worked for several years as a farm business management instructor for SIAST while owning and operating his farm business south of Saskatoon. After earning his MA in Economics from the University of Saskatchewan in 2003, Brad spent the next five years in Minnesota where he managed economic development projects for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and was a funding reviewer for the US Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund. Along with this, Brad earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification while working as a commercial development project manager for a non-profit development company, Seward Redesign. During this time Brad continued his close work with entrepreneurs, providing technical assistance to businesses and organizations in various industries. He is excited to be back in Saskatchewan, and looking forward to contributing to our growing economy. Brad volunteers as a board member for the Saskatchewan Economic Development Association (SEDA).
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Communications Director: Jackie Robin
Jackie Robin has a bachelor degree in Visual Communications from the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, AB. Her experience ranges from custom-designed interpretive centres, to part-owner of a weekly newspaper, to freelance graphic design and communications. She has been with Ag-West Bio since 2005, first as the Communications Assistant and taking the position of Communications Director in 2008. As director her duties include communications strategy for Ag-West Bio, media relations, website maintenance, event coordination and promotion, publication development and design, as well as membership.
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Senior Events Planner: Brenda Scott
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Allison Sigstad: Office Assistant
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Nicola Goosen: Administrative Assistant
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