Cowan, Campbell and Hale elected to leadership roles with OABA

At last week’s Ontario Agri-Business Association’s Annual Convention, three representatives from the Ontario FS System were elected to prominent positions within the association.

The two day convention began Tues. Dec. 1, and was attended by approximately 400 OABA members and supporters in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Dale Cowan, senior agronomist with Southern Co-operative Services was elected president of the Board for a one-year term after serving as vice president for the OABA board last year.

Cowan has been actively involved with OABA and its predecessors

The Fertilizer Institute of Ontario and The Ontario Grain and Feed Dealers since 1985 and has served in several leadership roles and on various ad hoc committees tackling everything from nutrient management to source water protection. He was also chair of OABA’s Crop Input Committee, a director on the board for the past five years and on the executive for the last two years as treasurer and vice-president.

Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director was elected for the first time as director to the OABA board after his name was submitted by the nomination committee and then approved by the membership on Dec. 1st. Campbell will serve a three-year term.                   

Larry Hale, area manager for FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK Inc. served as vice chair of OABA’s Crops Input Section last year, and has now been elected to chair the Section for a one-year term. As chair, Hale will also have a seat on the OABA board along with two other chairpersons that will represent grain and feed.

The Crops Input Committee deals with issues that impact crop input retailers and the members of the association. The committee also acts as liaison between OABA and key industry organizations such as the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), Canadian Association of Agri Retailers (CAAR), Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) and Crop Life.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA). It is a voluntary, non-profit organization that serves to represent the interests of country grain elevators, feed manufacturing facilities and crop input supply business, operating out of 406 business locations throughout Ontario. The Association also represents approximately 200 associated businesses that provide products and services to the crop input, grain and feed industry.