ABP Staff and Responsibilities

Rich Smith, Executive Director

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

Rich joined ABP as the Environmental Manager late in 2005 and became Executive Director 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 Executive Director, 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 and Cattle Feeder Council.

Fred Hays, Policy Analyst

Fred Hays Direct Phone (403) 451-1181
E-Mail fredh@albertabeef.org

  • 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 Cow/Calf Committee

Laura Procunier, Controller

Laura Procunier 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.

Karin Schmid, Beef Production Specialist

Karin Schmid
Direct number (403) 451-1173
E-mail KarinS@albertabeef.org

Karin grew up on a mixed farm near Keoma, AB, raising purebred Simmental cattle and grain, and am still involved to a limited extent. She has a Master’s Degree in Agriculture from the University of Alberta which focused on the genetic and metabolic factors affecting feed efficiency in beef cattle. Before joining ABP, Karin spent just over four years with the Canadian Hereford Association as their Breed Development Coordinator.

  • Provides policy direction and technical support in the areas of cattle health and welfare, cattle and beef research, environmental stewardship, and efficient cattle and beef production practices to ABP’s staff, directors and delegates, as well as cattle producers throughout Alberta.
  • Liaises with CCA and a number of other organizations on issues of importance to Alberta’s beef industry, and is also responsible for overseeing the administration of research projects funded by ABP.
  • Provides staff support to the Research Committee and the Animal Health and Welfare Working Group.

Barb Sweetland, Marketing & Education Manager

Barb Sweetland 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 Loree, Communications Manager

Lori Loree Maternity leave. Contact Katelyn
Direct Number (403) 451-1179
Email loril@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 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 Communication Committee.

Katelyn Laverdure, Interim Communications Manager

Katelyn Laverdure

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

Katelyn has been with the organization for over five years now and grew within ABP into the position of Communications Officer. She has now taken on the role of Interim Communications Manager for a one year period. Katelyn has completed her Public Relations Certificate from Mount Royal College.


  • Provide writing, graphic, layout and design support for the communications activities of ABP
  • Maintains and updates the website, develops promotional and advertising materials, 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 Environment Committee

Kaity Smith, Office Assistant

  • 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.
  • Handles delegate expense reports, including any inquiries and questions and tax records for honoraria.
  • Responsible for the efficient administration and operation of the ABP office.

Rosanne Allen, Executive Assistant

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

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

Claudia Young, Receptionist

Direct number (403) 275-4400
Email reception@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.