Nevin McDougall named chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario

Nevin McDougall is the new chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO)

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McDougall replaces Dr. Lorne Hepworth who has been chair of the ARIO board since 2019.

Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) is a crown corporation that works to establish and strengthen programs and relationships to enhance agri-food research, innovation and commercialization outcomes for a prosperous, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector. ARIO also owns 14 research centres across Ontario that conduct world-class animal and plant health research that benefits the province’s farmers, agribusinesses and consumers.

McDougall has been a member of the ARIO board since 202 and has 30 years of experince in industry-leading agribusiness organizations. He’s been a business executive, entrepreneur and investor.

The provincial government recently moderized the ARIO Act and McDougall was involved in that process.

McDougall’s appointment takes effect Jan. 18, 2025.

Hepworth presided over three major research centre build projects during his time as chair and renewed ARIO’s 10-year strategic plan.

“I am confident Nevin McDougall will deliver bold and positive leadership to ARIO as its new Chair and congratulate him on his appointment,” says Rob Flack, Ontario’s minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “He has served on its board since 2020 and brings decades of international business leadership experience and expertise that will be instrumental in reinforcing Ontario’s agri-food research capabilities.”