About the Speaker

Moderated By:
Bren McKeachnie,
Value Stream Solutions


Guelph Ontario

Guelph Ontario

Hamilton ON

Hamilton ON

Hensall ON

Food & Beverage Bear Pit Session

Double Session

Learn from EMC members, as we moderate an open & honest discussion about the issues facing the members themselves and initiatives they made to compete and succeed:  "Where we were, What we did, Lean successes achieved and What's Next?" This 'bear pit' format panel explore what works, what doesn't, and why… from an EMC member manufacturer's point-of-view.

The Garlic Box Inc:
Since 1997 Jackie Rowe has been navigating the challenges of carving a niche market to brand garlic in the information era of global commerce and increasing environmental clutter.  Branding her company's most valuable asset, Ontario grown garlic, required a compelling point of differentiation.   A long-term perspective of customer needs has cracked open the marketplace for expanded opportunities in the crowded, value-added food category.   

GFTC:
"Building the Case for Food Safety" The Food Safety Landscape is changing and the implementation of robust food safety programs has now become 'The Price of Admission' for food companies who wish to become or remain competitive.  Aside from growing market factors, the traditional reasons pertaining to due diligence and brand protection remain as important as ever.  Topping off these reasons is the fact that implementing a food safety program can wind up reducing a company's operating costs.  These concepts will be explored as Paul Medeiros "builds the case for food safety".

OMAFRA: 

• To provide an overview of the Ontario Food and Beverage Processing sector;
• To outline the key challenges and opportunities for the sector; and
• To provide an overview of how OMAFRA supports the sector through programs and services.

About the Speakers:

Paul Medeiros, Manager Consulting Services, GFTC
Paul is manager of consulting services for Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC) where he oversees the development and execution of food safety and quality management projects.  His food industry experience prior to GFTC is extensive.  After working for four years as a public health inspector, he moved to a position as Quality Assurance Manager for Darden Restaurants.  There, Paul promoted safe food handling by restaurant employees and managers. Later, as a member of the Burger King team, Paul spent six years leading its quality assurance efforts in Canada. At Burger King, Paul was instrumental with improving and managing its supply base quality assurance program; and he supported the restaurant operations team on matters involving food safety and quality. Paul is a Certified Quality Manager with the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and a Certified Public Health Inspector (CPHI(C)). He possesses a B.A.Sc. from Ryerson University and a M.Sc. from the University of Guelph.  Paul makes regular appearances on CBC Radio and speaks regularly at industry conferences.  His passion for food safety and quality is clearly evident to all who know him.

George Borovilos, Director, Business Development, OMAFRA
George Borovilos is currently the Director of the Business Development Branch with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Over the past 30 years, he has held a number of positions in the public and private sector related to economics, planning, economic development, downtown revitalization and tourism.He is a Past President with the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. He has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies Degree in Geography from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Arts Degree in Urban Planning from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He has attended a number of business management training programs offered by Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) and the University of Virginia.   He is also a Certified Economic Developer with the Fellowship designation.

Susan Coverdale, Business Development Consultant, Hamilton Economic Development, Food Sector
Sue has been with the City of Hamilton Economic Development and Real Estate Division since 1994.  Her current portfolio as Business Development Consultant oversees the Agriculture, Rural Affairs and the Food and Beverage Processing/Manufacturing sectors. Since 2004 her primary focus has been on the development and growth of these sectors within Hamilton. 
Sue is an active member of EDCO, both chairing and sitting on the Economic Development Awards of Excellent Committee for several years.  Sue currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Agricultural Management Institute (AMI) promoting Farm Business Management, Board of Directors for the Ancaster Agricultural Society and is an active member of the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce.

Greg Merlihan, General Manager, Karma Candy Inc.
Greg leads the Karma Candy Inc. and brings extensive food processing and manufacturing experience to the organization. He is well versed in all aspects of manufacturing with strong credentials in Plant Safety, Quality Systems, Cost Management and Continuous Improvement methodologies. Greg, a graduate of the University of Waterloo, has been with the Emerald facility for over seven years. Greg has held progressively more senior roles at the site, leading the Materials Management/Reliability Team, Production Manager, Plant Manager and now General Manager for Karma Candy Inc. Greg started his career in the chemical industry with Uniroyal Chemical and Huntsman, developing a strong foundation in safety systems, ERP (SAP) implementation and execution and ISO Quality processes in a capital intensive and high risk environment.

Jackie Rowe, President, The Garlic Box
Jackie Rowe is owner of The Garlic Box Inc., a business founded in 1997 to bring added value to Ontario grown garlic.  Her mixed background of bookkeeping, life-long passion for cooking, freelance writing and interior design have been credited to seasoning her entrepreneurial success in the food industry.  Jackie is a member of the World Wildlife Fund, Cuisine Canada & Garlic Growers Association of Canada.    She resides on a farm with her husband Jim near Exeter, and  - (not too far from her 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren).