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Our Team and Board

Our Board of Directors is comprised of a variety of industry players, be it from scientific, entrepreneurial, governmental or not for profit backgrounds. Our staff works closely with the board to ensure that a variety of interests are represented and that GPI's mandate is reached through our projects.

GPI Board - 2009-2010

 


Dr. Paul Dick

 

Chief Executive Officer -

Chemaphor

 


President and Chair of the Board


Chemaphor is a fast-growing firm with patented nutraceutical technologies.

 

 


“Visionary leaders created GPI to be the “voice” for Guelph's agrifood and life science stakeholders, and to build the speed and capacity of Guelph’s innovation system. The Board of Directors of GPI continues to build on this vision”

 

 


Gwen Paddock

National Manager, Agriculture and Agribusiness - RBC Royal Bank

Vice President of the Board


RBC is Canada’s largest bank and a leader in lending to the agri-food sector.

 


“GPI represents the interests of the stakeholders in Guelph’s technology cluster, a cornerstone of Guelphs future economic success.”

 

 


Tom Manes

 

Partner - Miller Thomson LLP


Miller Thomson LLP is a Canada-wide law firm specializing in corporate and intellectual property.


“I joined GPI to help it grow and be successful in assisting Guelph grow its technology cluster.”

 

 

Peter Cartwright

 

General Manager - City of Guelph, Economic Development & Tourism Services

Guelph is a prosperous and welcoming  City  with a rich heritage and diverse culture, located in the heart of Canada’s fastest-growing region.

 

“GPI provides assistance to entrepreneurs and others wanting to grow technology businesses. They should be the first place a new technology business in Guelph contacts.”

 

 


Lorne Goldstein

 

Partner - Binbrook Holdings Ltd.


Binbrook provides financing and investment capital to growing private companies.


“GPI provides an important resource for any company entering the Regional Guelph area. GPI provides a one stop   introduction service to integrate  business, people and ideas in the Guelph Region.”

 


Dr. Kevin Hall

Vice President, Research - University of Guelph


The University of Guelph is a research-intensive global leader in agrifood, life and environmental science.

 


“Guelph has a powerful discovery engine in the University, but making research ideas useful to society takes hard work, creative strategies and a team approach. GPI helps that happen.”

 


Ken Hammill

Friends of Guelph


Friends of Guelph is an advocate for projects and policies that enrich and grow the infrastructure, amenities and culture of the City of Guelph.


“Knowledge-based jobs are a promising future for Guelph prosperity. GPI is one of Guelph’s champions of technology-based economic development.”

 


Dr. John Kelly

Vice President, Erie Innovations and Commercialization

Past President and Chair of the Board


Erie Innovations works with southern Ontario’s producers to build value chains and added value from agricultural products.

 


“GPI has grown dramatically over the past few years, a testament to the support of its members and the value it creates.”

 

 

 


Lloyd Longfield

President and CAO - Guelph Chamber of Commerce


The Guelph Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in Guelph.

 


“As we move into a “greener” future, Guelph is positioned to be a world leader in life science, environmental technologies and agrifood.”

 


William Rowe

 

President & CEO - Nutrasource Diagnostics Inc.


NDI is a fast-growing leader in the testing, analysis and interpretation of human wellness products, with clinical trials and omega-3 specialties.


“I support GPI because it connects companies like ours that rely on constantly changing technology.”

 

 


Dr. Gord Surgeoner

President - Ontario Agri-Food Technologies


OAFT is a member-supported non-profit organization that promotes agri-food technologies and helps build value chains in the bioeconomy.


“We rely on the expertise of places like the University of Guelph to improve our products and our business. GPI helps us stay connected.”

 

 


Randy Walden

President - Nedlaw Roofs


Nedlaw Living Walls supplies energy- saving, environmentally positive roofs and walls.


“GPI helps our business by connecting us with community opportunities, and that ends up benefitting everyone involved.”

 


Robert Wiebe

Vice President - Maxxam Analytics


Maxxam is one of North America’s largest analytical laboratories.

 


“As champions for improved access to research ideas , GPI  builds the capacity of the Guelph cluster to move ideas to market faster.”

 


George Borovilos,

 

Director, Business Development Branch, Economic Development – OMAFRA

 

Board Observer


The Business development Branch assists in adding value to agrifood production and building value chains

 


“GPI does a great job of connecting people and ideas in Guelph, and building the cluster’s capacity.”

 

 


Michael Metson

 

Science and Innovation Coordinator - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Board Observer


AAFC is responsible for growing an innovative, export-oriented agricultural sector in Canada.


“Guelph is a key node in the Federal governments strategy to add value and growth to Canadian Agriculture.”

 

 

 

Please contact any of our staff for assistance. Our contacts can be viewed here.

 

 

 


GPI Staff


 

Jim Wadleigh, Executive Director

Since 2007, Jim has been the Executive Director at GPI. His previous positions include General Manager, Ontario Feed, Land O’ Lakes Inc., a farmer- owned cooperative, and the largest manufacturer of feed in North America. As General Manager, Jim led the Ontario Feed unit to more than double its sales and profit. 

 

Active in service, Jim is a board member and past- chair of several fundraising committees of the Rotary Club of Guelph. He was a founding member of the Guelph Off-Road Bicycling Association, and held several positions with the Bruce Trail Association. He currently races road bicycles and thirsts for a podium finish.

 

 

Laurie Iversen, Project Coordinator

In her role as project coordinator, Laurie is responsible for delivering excellence and value to the existing GPI programs and services, and is responsible for creating new ones in conjunction with GPI partners.  Prior to GPI, Laurie worked for Guelph's performing arts centre - River Run. Laurie's skills come from 19+ years experience in marketing, sales and customer service. 
                                                                            
As an ex-resident of Montreal, her favourite winter sport is downhill skiing.

 


Alexandra Barlow, Marketing Coordinator


Alex is a Masters (Arts – Political Science) student at the University of Guelph, in addition to her work at GPI. She hopes to complete her MA sometime in April 2010.

 

Prior to working at GPI, she was a project assistant with MaRS Landing, and has also worked with her hometown M.P.P., Leona Dombrowski. An avid dog walker and horseback riding enthusiast, she spends most of her non-work time outside.