OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced the reappointment of Mr. Randy Williamson as the Chairman of the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC).
"I'm very pleased to announce Mr. Williamson's reappointment to the CDC," said Minister Ritz. "Under Mr. Williamson's continued leadership, I'm certain the CDC will remain focused on working with its stakeholders to find innovative ways to build a strong, sustainable Canadian dairy industry for years to come."
The Chairperson is responsible for leading the CDC's three-member board of directors, which also comprises the Commissioner and CDC's Chief Executive Officer. The Chairperson is the Commission's primary liaison to the Agriculture Minister.
The CDC is a Crown corporation established in 1966 to coordinate federal and provincial dairy policies and create a control mechanism for stabilizing milk production and revenues. The CDC plays a key role in shaping dairy policy in Canada and provides a framework for the effective management of the industry as a whole, which is a jurisdiction shared by the federal government and the provinces.
Mr. Williamson's reappointment is effective August 1, 2013, for a term of two years. A biographical note is attached.
To learn more about the CDC, please visit www.cdc-ccl.gc.ca.
Biographical Note – Randy Williamson
Randy Williamson was first appointed Chairperson of the CDC in 2007 after more than three decades in the dairy processing industry. He began his career with Fraser Valley Milk Producers in 1974, moving first to Dairyland Foods, then to Dairyworld Foods, and finally to Saputo Canada, where he remained until his retirement in 2006.
Mr. Williamson held significant positions at the senior executive level, including Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Dairyworld Foods, Vancouver, British Columbia (1994-2001); President and COO of Saputo's Dairyland Fluid Division Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia (2001-03); and President and COO of Saputo Canada, Montreal, Quebec (2003-06).
In addition, he had extensive board experience, serving as Director of the National Dairy Council (1990-2006), Director of the Nova Scotia Dairy Council (1998-2005), and President of the British Columbia Dairy Council (1994-96). Mr. Williamson has a Marketing Diploma from the University of Western Ontario and a Sales and Marketing Diploma from the University of British Columbia.
Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
