GuntaVitins
*OTA Board of Directors*
Gunta Vitins is the owner of Vitins Consulting She is also Vice-President of Marketing at Pro Organics. She has shown strong participation in regulation of the organic sector. She has extensive knowledge and experience in organics. She is involved in the distributor side of the industry. Gunta has over 25 years experience in the agri-food industry in production, marketing, trade, business and industry development, and government/regulatory affairs. She spearheaded several innovative agri-food initiatives in the public and private sectors, focusing on sustainable agriculture and her true passion — the organic industry — for the past two decades.
She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Science from McGill University, and a MBA from McGill University. She has done a course in Dispute Resolution and Mediation from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Contact Information:
Email: gunta.vitins@gmail.com
Phone Number: 778-772-5996
SKYPE: gunta.vitins
Ian Walker
Left Coast Naturals
Ian Walker is the co-founder and president of Left Coast Naturals, an organic food manufacturer and distributor based in British Columbia. Left Coast Naturals manufactures Organic “better for you” snack foods, granolas and nut mixes under the Skeet & Ike’s and “Hippie Chips” brands. They are also a full service distributor of other Organic Grocery Brands and they are the largest Organic Bulk Foods distributor in Canada. Left Coast Naturals has been listed in the top 100 fastest growing business in BC by Business Vancouver 4 times as well as being listed in the Profit 200 fastest growing businesses in Canada.
Ian has served on the advisory boards for an Organic Certifying Agency, an Organic Baby Food company and a large Environmental Services Business. He focuses his energy at his business and home on building a more sustainable world. Ian was named in December 2009 in the top 40 business people under 40 by Business Vancouver magazine. He lives in North Vancouver and has two young children.
Contact Information:
Email: ian@leftcoastnaturals.com
Phone Number: 604-879-9100 ext. 204
http://leftcoastnaturals.com/
Mike Fata
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils
Mike Fata is CEO & Co-founder of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods and has run all aspects of the company since 1998. Previously he spent five years in extensive studies of diet and nutrition as he made the life changing decision to lose over 100 lbs and go from 300lbs to his current 180lbs. This remarkable accomplishment has given him an excellent knowledge of human anatomy, diet and nutrition and a motivation which allows him to speak to professional groups on improving health and well-being. Mike has won numerous business awards including Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2004), Socially Responsible Business Award (2006), Company of the Year (2010) and CHFA Organic Achievement Award (2010).
As well, he has guided Manitoba Harvest to be on the Profit 100 list of fastest growing companies in Canada four of the past five years. Mike has been on television, radio and quoted in newspapers and magazines regarding hemp foods, nutrition and sustainable business. Mike has served as a Director of the Manitoba Food Processors Association and Director and President of the Canadian Hemp Trade Association. Mike lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with his beautiful wife Autumn and two healthy children Roan and Rain Fata.
Contact Information:
Email: mfata@manitobaharvest.com
Phone Number: 418-681-1530, ext 307
http://www.manitobaharvest.com/
Kelly Monahan
Ash Street Organics
Kelly A. Monaghan of Ash Street Organics Inc. is the current Chair of the Canadian Organic Technical Committee, the industry sector group responsible for writing and revising Canada's national organic standard. In early 2009, Kelly co-wrote the training curriculum for certifiers, inspectors and producers on the new Canadian organic standard and that year facilitated training sessions for processors across Canada. She is currently writing the Canadian chapter for an international organic processing textbook and assisting to write a guide for Canadian retailers on our new national regime.
She also volunteers as Membership Committee Chair of the International Organic Inspectors' Association and is active on the Processing and Permitted Substances List Working Groups for the Canadian Organic Standard.
Contact Information:
Email: kellyamonaghan@sympatico.ca
Phone Number: 416-482-8625
Cell Number: 415-528-1490
http://www.ashstreetorganics.com/
Ryan Benn
Teldon Media Group and Alive Publishing Group Inc.
Ryan Benn is the President of Teldon Media Group and alive Publishing Group Inc. For the past seven years Ryan has played a strategic role in overseeing the overall business strategy, resulting in the delivery of break-through results. Looking ahead, he will be focused on accelerating the adoption of Teldon's suite of integrated media products and services to both small businesses and enterprise customers.
In addition to Teldon and alive, Ryan is a member of YPO (Young Presidents' Organization). He currently sits on numerous boards including the Canadian Health Food Association (Vice Chair), Inspire Health, The Teldon Community Foundation, Global Mothers, and is actively involved in Bulembu International. During his off time Ryan enjoys cooking, growing organic vegetables, collecting fine wine, golfing, watching the Canucks, and spending quality time with his family.
Email: Ryan.Benn@teldon.com
Phone Number: 416-482-8625
Cell: 416-528-1490
http://www.teldon.com/
Dag Falck
Nature’s Path Foods Inc.
Dag Falck is the Organic Program Manager for Nature's Path Foods Inc. - North America’s largest organic breakfast food and cereal manufacturer. His portfolio entails ensuring organic integrity and growth from the farm level through to consumers. Part of his duties includes developing and presenting seminars to producer, manufacturer and consumer groups, building strong networks within the industry. To this end Dag has built a prominent profile in the organic sector.
He takes a keen interest in the Canadian organic industry. He has been active in the Canadian OTA Advisory Committee, strengthening OTA as a viable trade association in Canada. He is a current board member of the Organic Agriculture Center of Canada (OACC) dedicated to promoting organic industry research and infrastructure development.
He was educated as an agronomist in Norway. Through his 15 years of experience and training as an organic inspector, verifying a variety of organic crops from market gardens to field grains and also complex processing, Dag has gained a unique perspective and understanding of the organic sector. He has training in conflict resolution and mediation and has taught communication skills to large and small organizations.
Contact Information:
Email: DFalck@naturespath.com
Phone Number: 250-379-2244
Cell Number: 250-307-4992
http://www.naturespath.ca
Martin Le Moine
Fruit D’Or
Martin Le Moine a termine ses etudes collegiales a L’Institut de Technologie Agro-Alimentaire de St-Hyacinthe en 1979 En 1993, Martin cree Atocas Notre Dame qui englobe aujourd’hui 100 acres de canneberges biologiques. Cette ferme est propriete de Martin a 60% et de Marcel Pilotte a 40% En 2005 une nouvelle ferme de canneberge est creee qui porte aujourd’hui le nom Nature Canneberge inc. Cette Ferme compte aujourd’hui 173 acres en canneberge biologique est la propriete de Martin et de son epouse Rachel.
Martin Le Moine a une connaissance approfondie du milieu dans lequel il evolue. Il fair prevue d’un spirit d’entrepreneurship et un excellent sense des affaires. Ses qualities a titre de leader et dirigeant d’entreprise ne fond aucun doute. Aujourd’hui le groupement des chefs d’entreprise et certains consultants sont ses principals sources de conseil.
Contact Information:
Email: mlemoine@fruit-dor.ca
Phone Number: 819-385-1126
http://www.fruit-dor.ca/en/index.html/
Lisa Mumm
Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds
Lisa Mumm was raised on an organic alfalfa seed and sheep farm near Shellbrook, SK. After completing a BA in International Studies at the U of S, she returned to the family farm to pursue her passions of organic agriculture and health food. Together with her parents, Jim & Maggie Mumm, she runs the family farm and business, Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds.
Lisa actively works to promote the rights of farmers and consumers to grow and eat GMO-free food. She works with the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network in its efforts to stop GM Alfalfa, and is a member of the SOD: Organic Agriculture Protection Fund. She also sits board of directors of the Organic Connections conference.
Contact Information:
Email: mumms@sprouting.com
Phone Number: 250-379-2244
Cell Number: 250-307-4992
http://www.sprouting.com
Dwayne Smith
Grainworks, Inc.
I, along with my wife, Doreen, and four kids, farm 3,500 acres of certified organic production, and have been growing organic grains for twenty years. Back in 1987, there was less formal processing and distribution within organic circles, and we found a need to try to satisfy that part of the market. As a result, Grainworks was started and includes a certified organic cleaning, milling, processing and warehousing facility. Grainworks currently offers over 110 different certified organic items, which we have grown or sourced, to customers throughout Western Canada.
Over the past 20 years, I have been involved in the organic industry through local certification bodies, and for a time, through the national organic standards both as the chairman of COAB and the chair of the standards committee, and through numerous speaking engagements. In 1997, we were finalists for Outstanding Young Farmer for Alberta.I bring to the table a grower's perspective to the future of COTA and organic in Canada.
Contact Information:
Email: smith@xplor.net
Phone Number: 403-485-2808
http://www.grainworks.com/
