Greenhouse Canada

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FCO stepping up government liaison efforts

August 6, 2013  By Dave Harrison


Aug. 6, 2013, Guelph, Ont. — Industry veteran Rej Picard has joined the
Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc. team in the newly created role of policy
advisor.

Aug. 6, 2013, Guelph, Ont. — Industry veteran Rej Picard has joined the Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc. team in the newly created role of policy advisor.
 
Picard brings a wealth of experience and knowledge related to the floriculture sector with expertise in government relations, communications, corporate development as well as having a solid management and business background.

rej_picardPicard joins FCO from The Westbrook Group of Companies where he served as controller, general manager and chief executive officer during a 38-year career playing a key role in the strategic direction of the organization.

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INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP

He has also served as president and member on a number of boards including Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc., The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance (TOGA), The Cecil Delworth Foundation, the Niagara Agricultural Task Force, and the McNally House Hospice.

Currently, he is participating on the Federal Agriculture Innovation Committee for the development of the Growing Forward 2 initiatives.

“We are thrilled to have Rej on board,” said FCO president Gerard Schouwenaar. “With his years of experience in Ontario’s floriculture sector, he is well-suited to help the sector engage government and growers to establish and secure the sector’s policy objectives.

"His experience and knowledge will help us meet our goals of having strong government relations and delivering long term value to our members.”

CLOSER TIES WITH GOVERNMENT

As FCO’s policy advisor, Picard will be responsible for representing FCO as a provincial government liaison and communications advisor representing FCO’s priorities with government, parliamentarians and other related industry groups.

“FCO is an important player in Ontario’s floriculture sector and I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the FCO team," he said.

"I am looking forward to working on behalf of FCO’s members to enhance floriculture’s profile among government audiences and to build strong, long-term relationships with government agencies, representatives and other industry stakeholders.”

FCO’s number one priority as specified by our members is to ensure strong government relations, said FCO executive director Dean Shoemaker. "I am confident that with Rej’s expertise, he will fortify our growers’ and overall sectors’ profile with local, provincial and federal governments.”


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