UFA Co-operative Ltd. is pleased to announce Steve Kovacs to the newly created position of Chief Sales Officer, based out of UFA's head office in Calgary, Alberta.
Kovacs is a tenured executive with strong senior leadership experience, most recently as Vice President at Parkland Corporation. He has a keen understanding of the agricultural industry, having spent almost 15 years with Nutrien (formerly Agrium); and he is no stranger to UFA. In 2020, he contracted at the co-operative for several months as an advisor to the Chief Financial Officer.
"We are excited to welcome Steve back to UFA and specifically to our senior leadership team," said Scott Bolton, President and CEO at UFA. "He brings a unique skill set. Not only does he have a history of structuring complex financial deals, but he has sales and marketing experience in both the petroleum and ag industries and, most importantly, a keen understanding of what drives markets and customers. He is known for focusing on the long goal with a reputation as a respected leader who flexes easily between strategy and operations, business development and finance."
Kovacs will feel right at home as UFA continues its expansion into Saskatchewan. He was born and raised in Regina, and as a young man, he had the opportunity to work on a mixed farm, where he first developed a passion for agriculture. He received his Bachelor of Administration, Accounting and Finance from the University of Regina and holds Certified Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator designations.
In his own words, Kovac's leadership style is simple and straightforward. "The membership number is just the start, I believe in building trust and creating relationships that are long-term. Many corporations are driven toward quick returns, but in the ag industry, and especially in a co-operative, you need to be focused on the long-term impacts for your customers. Just like many family farms are multi-generational and the decisions made today carry into the future; we also need to make decisions that have positive impacts for generations to come."
Today, Kovacs makes his home in Calgary, Alberta, where he lives with his wife, Robyn, and their two boys, Eric and Andrew. In his spare time, he plays hockey, although he jokes that it's a long way from being competitive.
"Steve's appointment comes at an opportune moment for UFA. He brings the perfect mix of finance expertise and sales and marketing, along with a strong appreciation for the agri-food industry and the critical role that producers play in ensuring the stability of the global food supply. In this new role, we believe he will help to drive our co-operative forward, optimizing our strategy for success and future sustainable growth," adds Bolton.
