On Thursday, October 24th, Poultry Industry Council (PIC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a hybrid format, both at the GrandWay Event Centre in Elora and online, followed by a Board of Directors meeting. The AGM highlighted a year of impactful educational programming and welcomed changes to the PIC Board’s and staff leadership team. This AGM saw the ratification of new By-laws and updated Articles of Incorporation making the PIC ONCA compliant.
Caroline Gonano continues in her third term and returning Chair of the PIC Board. Caroline, who is the Associate Manager of Technical Affairs, Science & Regulation at Turkey Farmers of Canada, brings extensive experience and dedication to PIC. Kayla Price will serve again as Vice Chair. The Canadian Technical Manager at Alltech, Kayla holds a doctorate in poultry health and works across agriculture, with a focus on poultry nutrition and regulatory needs in Canada. Cathy Lennon will remain as Treasurer for another year. Cathy is the General Manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and brings a wealth of experience in financial management and agricultural leadership.
Three valued board members are departing this year: Ed Verkley, Babak Sanei, and Mike Terpstra. Their contributions over the years have been invaluable, and we look forward to seeing them at future PIC events.
Joining the PIC Board of Directors are:
- Jody Durand (Huvepharma): A seasoned sales and management professional in the Canadian feed industry, Jody has been a dedicated supporter of PIC for over 15 years.
- Andre Bourbonniere (Poultry Insurance Reciprocal of Canada): Andre has over 17 years of expertise in Risk Management, Insurance, Stakeholder Relations, and Financial Advisory, making him an asset in corporate governance.
- Kaitlin Lake (Maple Lodge Farms): With a B.Sc. in Agriculture and a specialization in broiler supply chains and animal welfare, Kaitlin brings valuable insight into modular loading compliance and industry technology integration.
“I’m thrilled to return as Chair of the PIC Board, especially at such a pivotal time with new leadership and a renewed focus on our strategic vision,” said Chair Caroline Gonano. “I’m deeply grateful to Ed Verkely, Babak Sanei, and Mike Terpstra for their years of dedicated service to PIC. We’re also excited to welcome Jody, Kaitlin, and Andre, whose fresh perspectives will help drive us forward.”
The 2023-2024 year brought significant changes, including the recruitment of a new Executive Director, the retirement of a ten-year team member, and new additions to the board. Over the past year, PIC has hosted 30 events, drawing over 700 attendees, and our membership continues to grow, now reaching 164 members with strong website engagement. Events like Producer Days, the Innovations Conference, and the National Poultry Show continue to generate excitement and foster valuable connections in the industry.
“It’s a privilege to lead such a respected organization,” said Executive Director Tom Lewis. “I’m thrilled to work alongside our exceptional board and dedicated staff. The PIC team remains laser-focused on our mission: advancing industry success through impactful education, program development, events, and knowledge transfer.”
