GUELPH — The Ontario government is pleased to announce the appointment of Nevin McDougall as Chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), effective January 18, 2025. Mr. McDougall’s leadership will strengthen ARIO’s support of research and innovation across Ontario’s nearly $51 billion agri-food sector, while accelerating the agency’s efforts to promote more commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.
“I am confident Nevin McDougall will deliver bold and positive leadership to ARIO as its new Chair and congratulate him on his appointment. He has served on its Board since 2020 and brings decades of international business leadership experience and expertise that will be instrumental in reinforcing Ontario’s agri-food research capabilities. I look forward to the work he will do, along with the ARIO Board of Directors, to strengthen agri-food commercialization for the long-term competitiveness and growth of the sector,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
“On behalf of Premier Doug Ford and the province, I would like to thank Dr. Lorne Hepworth for his transformative work as Chair of ARIO since 2019. Lorne has presided over the completion of three major research centre build projects, renewed ARIO’s 10-year strategic plan, helped modernize the Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario Act, and was an unwavering supporter of the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy.”
Nevin McDougall brings experience as an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and private investor with 30 years of experience in industry-leading, innovative agribusiness organizations. He has led business operations for large multi-national companies in both North American and international markets, with extensive hands-on experience in R&D, commercial operations, and management. He was instrumental in the modernization of the ARIO Act.
Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) is a crown corporation that works to establish and strengthen programs and relationships to enhance agri-food research, innovation and commercialization outcomes for a prosperous, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector. ARIO also owns 14 research centres across Ontario that conduct world-class animal and plant health research that benefits the province’s farmers, agribusinesses and consumers.
Source : News Ontario