Kelly Somerville appointed as new CEO at Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

Guelph ON,  – Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest CEO. Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville will assume the role effective September 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris. 

Somerville, a University of Guelph Animal Science graduate, has an extensive background in the beef industry as well as past roles with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. She also co-owns a small herd of purebred Angus cattle. 

“Over the past year, Kelly has impressed us with her passion, drive and vision for the livestock industry, as well as her expertise and ability to build relationships across our industry and beyond, positioning her well to lead this organization into its next chapter,” says LRIC board chair Don Gordon. “LRIC is an innovation organization, and we believe Kelly is an innovative hire who is very reflective of the generational shift in our industry as young, innovative people move into leadership roles.” 

Since joining LRIC last year, Somerville has been heavily involved in developing and leading many of the organization’s current projects. This includes the farming innovation tour series to introduce government, academia and industry representatives first-hand to farmers and innovation on livestock farms, the Horizon Series webinars, and the Engineering a Better Farm initiative to help bring engineering expertise and innovation to livestock farming by building relationships with engineering schools at several universities. 

She also works closely with LRIC’s membership and with its International Research Advisory Committee and Emerging Trends and Opportunities Committee.  

“As an organization, LRIC is on a solid path, with the board and staff fully committed to driving research as a key element in the livestock innovation cycle. I look forward to building off the existing momentum and continuing the great initiatives currently underway,” says Somerville. “This includes our GRIP (Getting Research into Practice) roundtable coming up this fall, which will be the next step in our ongoing efforts to get research from the lab into the barn.”