Directors
Back row left to right: John Coté, Bev Connell, Richard Robert, Philip Keddy, Lane Stockbrugger
Front row left to right: Donald Daigle, Lori Kittilsen, Sharon Stollery, Robert Ross
Find out more about our Directors:
Richard Robert, Chair
Richard Robert grew up on a dairy farm in the region of Abitibi-Temiscamingue in north-western Quebec, and has always had an attachment to agriculture. After studying animal production at the Institut de technologie agro-alimentaire in La Pocatière, he worked as an animal production consultant for five years for the cooperative movement.
In 1998, at 26 years old, Richard and his wife acquired his uncle's dairy and grain farm. Over the years, Richard has been involved in several committees serving many functions, including the Société d'agriculture, the local agricultural co-operative, and president of the regional agricultural fair.
Today, he is director for the Groupe conseil Agricole du Témiscamingue (who work in agri-environment and agricultural management) and president of the regional Groupe conseil (management group), and director of the Fédération des Groupes Conseils Agricoles du Québec after being chairman for 4 years. He served as a director on the board of the UPA for 4 years, where he gained much experience. For 10 years, Richard has been a director for a machinery-sharing co-op and continues to be involved in several community committees.
After only six years of operation, Richard's family farm won 1st place in the Bronze category for the Ordre du Mèrite Agricole du Québec, and after 9 years, they achieved 2nd place in the Silver category. An efficient system is needed on any farm to respect the work and life balance, taking into account family - his wife's commitments and activities with their five children.
Recognized as dynamic and a motivator, Richard is trying to meet new challenges and advance the cause of agriculture.
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Philip Keddy, Vice Chair
Philip Keddy was born and raised on his family farm, Charles Keddy Farms Ltd, started in 1978 by his father who had no agricultural background. Over the years, their farm has diversified into many crops mainly consisting of certified strawberry, raspberry and other types of bare root nursery crops.
In 2005, Philip graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with an Agriculture Business diploma, and with an urge to learn more, he received an Agriculture Technologist diploma in Plant Science in 2007. Philip, now back on the farm full time as a farm manager, strives to one day have the honour to take over the family
farm.
Philip is also the vice chair for the Nova Scotia Young Farmers Forum and a current graduate of the Total Excellence in Agricultural Management (CTEAM) program offered through the George Morris Center.
"As a young farmer, I know that I will be in this industry for the next 30 to 40 years. It is important for me to be involved in agricultural committees so that I have a say in issues that will affect my livelihood. I believe that agriculture provides a strong work ethic, community bond, and land stewardship which no other industry can provide."
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Bev Connell, Treasurer
Bev Connell provides specialized consulting services in business planning, financial management and customized training in business management to the private sector since 1995. He provides services throughout Atlantic Canada and has effective working relationships with key stakeholders in all the agricultural sectors. Clients ranged from the small family farms to large corporate producers, from the primary producer to the processors and retailers.
Bev has provided training to producers in Canada on farm succession in partnership with Farm Credit Canada and Agri-Success. In past years, he has owned and operated a cow-calf farm and a livestock brokering business. He has hands on experience with livestock marketing in all facets of the sector including calves, feeders, cull cows, finished cattle and breeding stock. Bev owns and operates a seasonal farm market and bakery that processes wild blueberries for the wholesale sector. He has co-authored two books for the Canadian Farm Management Council on Value Added Agriculture and Business Planning.
Bev has delivered keynote addresses at major agricultural conferences including; Pacific Agricultural Days in BC, Interior Meat Conference in Kamloops, Young Farmers Conference in Saskatchewan, Tobacco Transition Conference, Simcoe, and Atlantic Agricultural Leaders Program in Nova Scotia.
Professional qualifications and memberships
- Professional Agrologist, NSIA
- M.Ag.University of Alberta B.Sc.(agr), NSAC
- Diploma Agriculture, NSAC
- Canadian Agricultural Leadership Program, CALL Graduate U of Sask 2002
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John D. Cote, Secretary
John Cote is currently involved in setting up a new farm just south of Saskatoon, SK. Prior to this John was a grain farmer at Leask, Saskatchewan and involved in several other small business ventures. In 2010 they decided to capitalize on the opportunities they see in more intensive farming/marketing operations located closer to urban centres. John is a member of the Outstanding Young Farmers Alumni, and is a Professional Agrologist in Saskatchewan.
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Donald Daigle, Director
Donald Daigle grew up on a small family farm in Acadieville, New Brunswick. As early as he can remember, Donald had a strong interest in farming. Growing up, he would follow the neighbourhood farmers around, gaining experience, knowledge and wisdom that can only be learned through generations of farming.
After high school, Donald attended college, received his diploma in diesel mechanic and left for the Northwest Territories. Although very successful in his new career, he knew where his true passion remained. After four years, he moved back home to take over the family farm.
Donald began with a modest 400 feet of strawberries. Over the years, he planted a large variety of vegetables and delivered his produce to local groceries and markets. In 2010, after 30 years of farming, Donald accepted a new role as farm manager for the new Ocean Spray Cranberry Farm in Rogersville, NB, putting his own 120-acre farm on hold to embrace this new challenge.
Donald has always been involved in the agriculture community. Over the years, he served as president of the Fédération francophone des agriculteurs et agricultrices du Nouveau-Brunswick and of the Really Local Harvest Coop. In early 2010, he was elected for his third mandate on the Canadian Farm Business Management Council. He has been president of the Council for three years.
Donald and his wife Viola have been married for 28 years and have five children - Jérémi, Brigitte, Simon, Émilie and Alexandre. In his spare time, he loves canoeing, camping, and woodworking.
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Lori Kittilsen, Director
Lori Kittilsen grew up with a love for agriculture and in her youth was an active 4-H member. Lori graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, in 1990 with a B.Sc. Agr. (Honours) and began working with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) immediately upon graduation.
As a Business Development Specialist with the NSDA, Lori is a part of the Business Development and Economics team providing business development leadership and expertise to assist in the creation of a competitive investment climate for Nova Scotia agricultural industries. Her responsibilities focus on providing relevant business management information, training resources, and business development strategies to businesses pursuing growth and investment opportunities in Nova Scotia.
Over the past 10 years, Lori has been involved with CFBMC as the Nova Scotia Class B representative.
Lori is a partner with her husband Paul Kittilsen in Kittilsen's Honey, a commercial farm running a 1200 hive apiary, a custom honey extracting business and a cranberry bog. The farm is a first generation business in Debert Nova Scotia. In addition to the busy life of farming, Lori and her husband have three children.
"I believe that the future holds many challenges for our Canadian farm managers, but also brings much opportunity for great success."
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Robert Ross, Director
Robert Ross was raised on the current family farm in Southwestern Ontario. After completing a B.Sc. (Agr) degree from the University of Guelph and working in the agriculture industry, he returned home to farm. His professional achievements and memberships include being a graduate of the CALL program (Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership) at the University of Saskatchewan and a member of the Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association.
Bob has been an active innovator and facilitator of professional development programs for Canadian farm managers. Bob has been the coordinator for the CTEAM program for 12 years. In addition, he works with the GMC to offer educational study opportunities for CTEAM alumni and to promote innovative farm business management practices. Bob also provides specialized consulting services in business and financial planning to Canadian farm managers. He has mentored numerous farm families and has facilitated strategic planning processes for both farm families and rural organizations. He was a member of the development and implementation team for the AgriSuccess programs in Canada, and the Lead Consultant for development of the Strategic Business Planning module for the agriBusiness eCampus - University of Guelph.
Bob has provided leadership to agricultural organizations over the years. He has served as a Board Member and the Chair of Provincial, National and International organizations for dairy herd improvement. He was one of the founding members of the Progressive Dairy Operators organization where he continues to sit as an executive member.
This extensive involvement in Canadian agriculture has allowed Bob to develop both significant industry resources and expertise and he feels he is well positioned to make a uniquely valuable contribution to CFBMC’s effort to carry out their current business plan. The achievement of this plan will position CFMBC to be the catalyst for the transfer of farm business management knowledge and skills to Canadian farm businesses, and a leading driver of the future success of Canadian agriculture.
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Lane Stockbrugger, Director
Lane D. Stockbrugger of Regina, Saskatchewan is the Manager of FCC Learning at Farm Credit Canada where he oversees the development and implementation of educational and training programs targeted to enhance the management sophistication of producers across Canada. Lane has 9 years of experience with Farm Credit Canada.
In addition to his professional FCC career, Lane has experience serving the agricultural sector in multiple advisory roles. Recently he was an invited attendee at the National Future Farmers Network, a roundtable of young farmers from across Canada charged with setting the direction forward for the next generation of farmers and producers in Canada. In addition, Lane currently is a member of the Advisory Group of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council’s (CAHRC) developing a new Agricultural HR Toolkit.
Lane is a proud Prairie farmer who - together with his brother - operates a 3,000-acre grain and oilseed farm. Lane was 7 when his father died in 1984. With four young children at home, his mother had no choice but to rent out the majority of our family’s 800-acre grain farm. For years, Lane and his brother Lance vowed to one day farm the land that had been in their family since 1909, to build a farm business with a vision for sustainability. With the help of a neighbour who lent equipment in exchange for labour and income from non-farm employment, the two Stockbrugger brothers managed the family farm and have now expanded LDS Farms to a flourishing 3,000-acre grain and oilseed farm.
Lane completed his Bachelor of Administration at the University of Regina with a major in marketing and finance. His past work experience also includes sales and marketing with Labatt Breweries, marketing and advertising for the agriculture portfolio of Brown Communications Group. Lane is married to Carie and is the proud father of Gabby and Liam.
Lane’s professional experience, farm background and passion for the agriculture industry make him a desirable candidate for the Canadian Farm Business Management Council board of directors.
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Sharon Stollery, Director
Sharon Stollery grew up on a mixed grain and beef farm in central Alberta, where her family continues to farm. She graduated in 1991 from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics, majoring in Foods and Nutrition. Sharon has been working with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development since then, holding various positions in different locations around the province. Currently she manages a program to enhance extension skills with ministry staff. She coordinates, develops and delivers training to help staff in effectively advancing industry growth and development. Prior to this Sharon led an initiative to develop the local market sector in Alberta.
Sharon has always engaged in partnerships with farm management staff in her department, recognizing it as a cornerstone to sustainable industry development. Over the years she has been involved in a number of projects in partnership with the CFBMC, including the Canadian Agri-Tourism Working Group.
Sharon has brought energy for strategic planning, effective communications and team building to the CFBMC board of directors since 2006.
Email Sharon Stollery
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