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ABP Staff and Responsibilities

Rich Smith, General Manager

Direct number (403) 451-1183
Email RichS@albertabeef.org

Rich joined ABP as the Environmental Manager late in 2005 and became General Manager earlier this year. He possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering, along with extensive experience in the development, design and management of livestock operations. As General Manager, Rich is responsible for guiding the ABP staff as they work on behalf of our producers to address the policy, production, communication, promotion, legal, and financial issues that will help to strengthen the beef industry in Alberta. In the environmental area, he is still responsible for dealing with the policy, regulatory and stewardship matters that will affect our continued access to the land and water resources necessary for cattle production in Alberta.

• Staff support to Board of Directors, Cattle Feeder Council, and Government Affairs Committee.

Adrienne Waller, Legal Counsel

Direct Phone (403) 275-4428
Direct Fax (403) 275-3028
E-Mail adriennew@albertabeef.org

Adrienne has been legal counsel for Alberta Beef Producers since 1992. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Law and a Master’s Degree in Law. Among other legal duties and responsibilities, Adrienne provides legal advice and support to the Board of Directors, Committees, management and staff of Alberta Beef Producers; reviews and comments on proposed and existing legislation and regulation affecting the industry and identifies legal issues and risks facing the organization, the cattle industry and producers and assists in advocating change.

Policy Analyst - Position Currently Vacant

Direct number (403) 451-1181

• Works with ABP Board of Directors, Committees, delegates, and staff to analyse policies and develop policy positions on a wide range of issues affecting the sustainability and competitiveness of the beef cattle industry in Alberta.
• Provides guidance and direction to ABP on economic and policy initiatives coming from provincial and federal governments.
• Work with other cattle organizations to enhance government relations and government advocacy activities.
• Staff support to Government Affairs Committee

Laura Procunier, Controller

Direct number (403) 451-1175
Email LauraP@albertabeef.org

Laura received her training at Pricewaterhouse Coopers; she is both a CA and a CMA. Laura is responsible for overseeing all Financial Management functions including producing monthly financial statement packages and related analysis; ensuring the check off levy is collected on a timely and correct manner; oversees the payroll system to ensure that staff are paid on a timely and accurate basis; disbursing and accounting for all funds paid out by ABP under research and sponsorship contracts; managing the investments and the cash flow requirements for the organization; coordinates the year-end financial statement audit; prepares the annual budget; maintains the producer data base; is the Chief Returning Officer for all ABP elections; and does the monthly financial statements for Cows and Fish. Laura also provides staff support to the Cattle Industry Council.

Reynold Bergen, Animal Health & Welfare Manager

Direct number (403) 451-1173
Email ReynoldB@albertabeef.org

Reynold has a PhD from the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Guelph and has worked closely with the beef cattle industry in a variety of organizations across Western Canada and Ontario.

• Provides technical information and policy direction to Alberta Beef Producers on animal health and welfare issues
• Identifies the priority that should be placed on these issues
• Gathers information related to those issues of highest priority
• Provides direction to the Board of Directors, staff, committee members and partner organizations about the best approach to address the issues
• Staff support to Technical Committee.

Barb Sweetland, Promotions Manager

Direct number (403) 451-1178
Email BarbS@albertabeef.org

Barb possesses a B.A. in English (Honours) from University of Calgary and a B.L.S (With Distinction) from University of Alberta.

• Responsible for managing the development and execution of all promotion, marketing, and education activities of ABP.
• Supervises and directs the education, marketing, and distribution activities of the Education Coordinator, the Marketing Coordinator, and the Shipper/Receiver
• Responsible for the executing of the Promotion Committee marketing plan, planning special events and coordinating RancHERS activities.
• Staff support to Promotion Committee

Lori Creech, Communications Manager

Direct Number (403) 451-1179
Email loric@albertabeef.org

Lori received her diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Mount Royal College before becoming a television news anchor and reporter in her hometown of Lloydminster. She then spent several years on feedlots and in marketing and journalism in Australia before returning to Canada to be editor-in-chief for two southern Alberta newspapers. Lori came to ABP as Communications Officer in March, becoming Manager in August. Lori was raised on a purebred cattle operation, and still owns a herd of Red and Black Angus.

• Responsible for managing all ABP communications and media relations activities
• Supervises and directs the preparation of newsletters, media releases, reports, and the ABP website
• Responsible for communications strategies and content, media training, and special communication projects
• Staff support to Producer Liaison Committee.

Office Manager & Legal Assistant - Position Currently Vacant

Direct number (403) 451-1184

• Responsible for the efficient administration and operation of the ABP office, as well as providing legal assistant services to the Corporate Counsel.
• Manages the reception, office supplies and equipment, meeting room, file management, staff support and facility operations of the organization
• Provides administrative and secretarial support for Corporate Counsel, including scheduling, correspondence, file management and preparation of agreements.

Rosanne Allen, Executive Assistant

Direct number (403) 451-1174
Email rosannea@albertabeef.org

Rosanne started working for Alberta Beef Producers just before last year’s AGM and became full time shortly after. Rosanne holds a diploma in Library Information and Technology from S.A.I.T. and is currently working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities.

• Provides support to the General Manager, Board of Directors, the Government Affairs Committee, Cattle Feeder Council, Technical Committee, Producer Liaison Committee and Public Affairs Committee including:
• Book all meetings and prepare and distribute the related information packages
• Record minutes at meetings and distribute approved minutes
• Maintain the resolution tables.
• Organize New Delegate Orientation, New Board Directors Orientation and Resolutions Committee Meeting.
• Assist with AGM

Katelyn Laverdure, Communications Coordinator

Direct number (403) 451-1176
Email KatelynL@albertabeef.org

Katelyn has been with the organization for over two years now. She has recently assumed the position of Communications Coordinator. This year, Katelyn has completed her Public Relations Certificate from Mount Royal College.

• Provide writing, graphic, layout and design support for the communications activities of ABP
• Works under the direction of the Communication Manager to maintain and update the website, prepare promotional and advertising material, and prepare weekly and monthly updates, newsletters, media releases and Annual Reports.
• Responsible for facility and meeting arrangements for the AGM and Semi-AGM.
• Staff support to Public Affairs Committee

Accounting Assistant - Position Currently Vacant

Direct number (403) 451-1172

• Provides accounting support to the Controller, including management of all accounts receivable and accounts payable
• Responsible for the administration of invoices, expense statements, service charge remittances, bank deposits, and cheque preparation.
• Manages delegate expense reports, including any inquiries and questions and tax records for honoraria.

Lindsey Metheral, Education Coordinator

Direct Number (403) 451-1188
Email lindseym@albertabeef.org

Lindsey has a B.Mgt (With Great Distinction) from the University of Lethbridge. She wrote an undergraduate thesis on the cattle industry and joined Alberta Beef Producers as the Program Assistant in March. In August, Lindsey was promoted to Education Coordinator. Lindsey was raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Alberta.

• Provides coordination and administration of ABP consumer, child, and producer education activities.
• Provides program support for the Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP), Beef Education Association (BEA), and Beef in the Classroom (BITC).
• Supervises and directs the development of educational materials to support the programs.

Steven Carr, Marketing Coordinator

Direct Number (403) 451-1187
Email stevenc@albertabeef.org

A recent graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies in the concentrations of Business-Marketing and History, Steven came to Calgary and ABP in mid-September. Prior to his current role with ABP, he gained experience in marketing and graphic design with accomplished employers in the metro Phoenix area.

• Provides administration and execution of the marketing activities identified in the Promotion Committee marketing plan.
• Responsible for research, proposals, and recommendations, and responses related to sponsorship opportunities that are presented to ABP
• Participate in the development and execution of marketing tactics and strategies.

Heather McCrady, Shipper/Receiver

Direct number (403) 451-1186
Email HeatherM@albertabeef.org

• Responsible for the receipt, management, and distribution of ABP promotional materials and other packages.
• Duties include ordering, stocking, shipping, and billing for all promotional materials. Provides assistance to Promotion team on packaging, mailing, pick up and delivery of promotional and educational materials.
• Provides office administrative assistance in meeting room maintenance and reception relief.

Denise Delorme, Receptionist

Direct number (403) 275-4400
Email DeniseD@albertabeef.org

• Provides telephone answering and guest greeting services to ABP, CCA, BIC and CBBC;
• Responsible for receiving and distributing mail, courier packages, and faxes; logs incoming email from apbfeedback.
• Book meeting rooms, order meals, and books hotel rooms for ABP meetings and delegates.