UFA Election Results - 2023 | UFA

UFA Co-operative held its Annual General Meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023. An important part of the event is the director election and UFA is pleased to share the results with its membership. The Co-operative welcomes two new directors and thanks two directors who are moving into retirement.

We are thrilled to report that Kevin Hoppins was re-elected to the board for a four-year term and acclaimed as UFA Board Chair, which is a one-year term. Kevin was first elected to the board in 2013 and to the position of Chair in 2014, a role he has since held. Heading into his eleventh year, Kevin has provided strong and practical leadership for the Co-operative. Before his board position, Kevin represented UFA as a delegate for eight years.

Kevin farms with his family near Huxley, Alberta. He is a strong champion for young leaders in agriculture, supporting ag-focused post-secondary institutions like his alma mater, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Kevin has volunteered actively for his local 4-H Alberta Club and the ACCA Co-operative Youth Program at Goldeye Centre. He is a pillar of the community and has spent his career devoted to supporting the agricultural sector.

We are also happy to have Henry Vos return for his third term, first elected to the UFA Board in 2016. Henry has a long history in agriculture in the Peace River country, producing grain and pedigreed seed. In addition to the farm, he has had numerous successful business interests including owning a retail farm supply outlet and starting and operating an agricultural research business. Henry has served on many boards, including forming Canterra Seeds, serving as director of the Canadian Wheat Board, the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange (now ICE Futures), Fairview College, several commodity groups and most recently, Farm Management Canada.

Henry has a degree in Agriculture and is a Chartered Director, having completed the governance program at McMaster University. Co-operatives have been a significant part of his farming and business career.

Both Harvey Hagman and Rick Hansen did not run for re-election. We are sad to see them go, and we thank them very much for their years of service. Harvey started with UFA as a delegate in 2008 and then was elected to the UFA Board in 2013, he served three terms on the board. Rick Hansen was elected to the UFA Board in 2013 and also served three terms, following his service as a UFA Delegate from 2005. We wish both Harvey and Rick all the best in their retirement.

We are pleased to welcome two new directors to the board.

Serving as a UFA Delegate since 2018, Wendy Glover was elected to the board for a one-year term. She grew up in rural Alberta and farms with her husband east of Red Deer. Wendy also operates a small business providing health and safety auditing and consulting services to municipalities, oil and gas companies and a variety of other industries. Wendy coached ringette for ten years, served on the Red Deer Ringette Association Board for eight years and held various positions including president. Welcome to the UFA Board, Wendy!

Dave Ure was recruited externally and was named to the UFA Board for a four-year term. Dave grew up on his family farm in Red Deer County and is still actively involved with it. Some of his early job experience was at his local Co-op Home and Agri Centre before attending the University of Alberta. He went on to work with Shell Global Solutions in various diverse roles within the petroleum industry, retiring in 2021 with 35 years of service. Dave brings a wide breadth of experience from the oil and gas and agricultural sectors, and we are pleased to welcome him to the UFA Board.