OSF introduces new board members and executive director at AGM

Ontario Sheep Farmers saw major turnover in staff and board members in 2022. 

Colleen Alloi, first vice-chair, Jay Lewis, second vice-chair and directors Heather Little and Gary Fox left the board, replaced by newly elected directors Jay Lennox, District 2, Ryan Schill, District 5, Karen Davis, District 8 and Jenna White, District 11. 

Art Alblas and Ken Lamb are now OSF’s first and second vice-chairs, respectively. 

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“Gary Fox has been around us it seems like forever but Gary is stepping down,” said John Hemsted, OSF chair. “We thank Gary for all his contributions, his words of wisdom and the political experience he brought to the table over the years.” 

Erin Morgan was introduced as the new executive director while the OSF paid tribute to former general manager Jennifer MacTavish by presenting her with the Long Service Award. 

“Her dedication and help in developing the National Sheep Roundtable and commitment to the ideas that came out of those meetings were a big strength and success to the industry as a whole,” said Dennis Fischer, former chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Association. 

MacTavish’s efforts to build a strong working relationship with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and other commodity groups were appreciated and respected, as was her commitment to sit on industry committees, he said. 

“Developing projects like the price predictability project and helping create and reintroduce shepherd scores stand out as great accomplishments,” Fischer said. “She’s helped move the file forward. It’s taken many hours of dedication to get it where it is today, and we need to keep moving (it) forward.”

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Bill McCutcheon, of Ontario Lamb Company, said McTavish’s listening skills, patience and respect for producers are well-known and appreciated. 

“She’s given tremendous stability to our organization over the years and was incredibly good at finding funding and getting the things we need,” said McCutcheon.