Board Members

Participating in 4-H as a child, while also growing up on a dairy farm, expanded Tim’s skills and passion for the industry. In July of 1978, after spending two years working as a herdsman for the University of Alberta Dairy Farm, Tim and his wife, Deb, started their own farm in Alberta with 40 dairy cows. Back then, they had to do everything themselves, from early morning milking to late-night calving, but now they are lucky to have help from their family as they manage 350 cattle (approx. 120 milking cattle and 60 beef cow calves).

In the last 40+ years, they have come a long way and are excited for the future as they transition from a tie-stall barn to a fully robotic dairy barn. Animal care and comfort are paramount on their farm, which is evident in the naming of the cows—they all have a name and are not just numbers. What makes their farm unique is that they have 250 purebred Holsteins and a couple of purebred Jerseys. They also sell replacement heifers, breeding bulls, and embryos to several countries worldwide.

Tim continues to make significant contributions to Agrifoods and the Dairy Industry. He believes that involvement is the key!

“I am a big believer in doing my part to give back, and cooperatives are a great way to do that. It is rewarding to be connected to the processing side and see our products through to the end-use by consumers. Agrifoods has come a long way in the past few years and looks forward to being a leader in providing unique, niche foods. The pursuit of excellence in the food industry is very exciting!”

When Tim and Deb take time away from the farm, you can find them in the outback enjoying quadding, camping, and catching fish (something he learned from Deb’s dad). They also love travelling and have explored more than 25 countries around the world.

“What I like most about being a director is taking care of our members’ interests in the co-op and being able to serve with directors across Western Canada with the same mindset. I enjoy all the challenges of being a Director of this dynamic co-op and look forward to contributing to the future success.”

Over the past 35+ years, Brian has immersed himself in the dairy industry and spends his time managing and guiding employees on his farm in Southern Alberta, which has 160 milking cows. He enjoys working on the farm with his family and takes great pleasure in being part of an industry that focuses on the welfare of animals and protecting the land for future generations.

Expanding his entrepreneurial skills, Brian also manages a large custom harvest business that provides silage services for the dairy and beef industries in Southern Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan.

Brian’s goal is to build a legacy he can pass on to his children and grandchildren when he is ready to retire. His retirement aspirations include providing service to his church and the broader community while spending time with his family. Although he does intend to still find time to also help on the farm.

When taking a break from the business, Brian can be found going for country drives in his side-by-side, hunting, fishing, or heading to Montana to spend time with family.

“It is an honour to serve on the Agrifoods Board. Bound by cooperative values and focused on members and consumers, it is a return to the co-operative and community-based values that are so important to me - of farmers, by farmers and for farmers. These provide the most logical solutions to our food security, bring strength to our local communities, and lean into the grassroots for leadership and innovation.”

Michael’s 6 children and 8 grandchildren are his foundation and bedrock. He and his wife own a small farm near Lakefield, Ontario, and he “pretends” to farm in conjunction with a partner cooperative farmer. 

Given his propensity for lifelong learning, Michael is adamant that he will never “retire” and continues to expand his knowledge across many different sectors (professionally and personally). Tapping into his passion for teaching, his involvement with the Lakefield Historical Society fuels his enthusiasm for researching and speaking on historical subjects. And, as a self-proclaimed antique car “nut” Michael will talk your ear off about antique vehicles… don’t ask unless you REALLY want to know!

“I farm because I love it! I’m passionate about making sure Canadian families have good quality food that comes from local sources. I want to ensure they have choices to have food that is grown and produced locally for the rest of their lives.”

In addition to farming, Jacqueline sits on the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Committee for the City of Chilliwack and the Finance and Audit Committee for the BC Dairy Association.

Having served as a Board Director, Chair of Finance & Audit, and Chair of Nominations Committees at Mountain Equipment Co-op for 6 years, Rob strongly aligns with the higher purpose of cooperatives. He was drawn to Agrifoods through his desire to contribute to another organization focused on health and wellness.

As an avid outdoorsman and past Ironman, runner, and mountaineer, Rob now spends most of his time on a bike or at his British Columbia cabin, enjoying nature with his wife and 2 children.

“As a Director, I’m excited to have the opportunity to gain experience in the other side of the dairy industry. I love to learn about everyone’s roles - from producers to processors and everything in between. As a dairy cooperative, I believe collaboration with farmers is the key to cultivating a thriving industry for many generations. “ 

In keeping their family legacy alive, Matt and his wife, Tricia, operate a fourth and fifth-generation farm in Saskatchewan with their oldest son and daughter-in-law (Mike and Holly). Together, they milk approximately 110 cows in a robotic barn and produce all their feed, focusing on the comfort and nutrition of both the cows and the people. As active participants in the Holstein events across the country, they take pride in breeding and raising quality cattle. 

When they decide to pass the farm over to the next generation, Matt and Tricia plan to travel more but also intend to continue helping on the farm where needed. Although they love what they do, they enjoy having quality time with friends and family away from the farm and treasure playing with their Granddaughter. As an avid hockey fan, Matt is proud to have been a hockey coach for 25 years, which allowed him to lead in a different capacity, teaching his own kids and others the foundational skills of hockey and teamwork. 

“As a Canadian dairy producer, I care deeply about what happens beyond the farm gate. I believe in engaging directly with consumers - especially youth - through farm tours and open conversations to build understanding and trust in agriculture. We must continue to adapt and deliver the high-quality products consumers expect while strengthening the cooperative model that supports our industry. I am committed to promoting a sustainable, vibrant, and profitable farmer-owned cooperative, with a focus on innovation, strategic planning, and long-term growth.”

Bringing family values into farming, Chris and his wife, Henrietta, run a family business that involves some of their children. Having started on a small, rented farm in 1987, they now own and operate Greendike Farm Ltd. on Vancouver Island, milking 170 cows using a double-12 parallel parlour. Placing a strong focus on sustainability and responsible resource management on the farm, they use a gravity-fed water system sourced from a mountain spring, reuse separated and composted manure solids as bedding, and offset electricity needs with 425 solar panels installed on the barn roofs.

When Chris is not working on the farm, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking, travelling, discovering history, and engaging in conversations over a good cup of coffee.

For Armand, dairy has always been a part of his life. His grandfather started their family farm in 1953 in the Peace River region of Alberta, and he fondly remembers helping out as a young boy. Armand became a partner in the business in 1988, and in 2020, he took on more responsibility as the President, working with their Lead Herdsman, Supervisors, and Managers, overseeing progress on operations.

“I am keen on running dairy farms as a business—always looking for ways to improve our operations, using all types of tools (such as benchmarking), and learning from our peers. I am also very passionate about the genetics side, especially with Holsteins. I like to see the operational progress in farming and how it helps the business.”

When he’s away from the farm, Armand spends his leisure time curling, hiking, or playing cards with his three daughters. He also enjoys travelling, particularly to Italy, since he is an avid wine connoisseur. When asked what he would like to do when he retires, Armand admits that he sees himself enjoying a combination of pleasure activities and work, where he can continue to support the family farm and be on board.

Maheb’s drive for innovation earned him some notable recognitions, including the Entrepreneur of the Year award - Pacific Region for Manufacturing, the BC Food Association’s Leadership award, and the Business of the Year award from the City of Burnaby.

In 2023, Maheb transitioned to being the CEO of Earth’s Own and joined the Agrifoods Board. With over 25 years of experience in both nutritious offerings and cooperatives, along with CPA designations from Canada and England, Maheb brings a wealth of expertise. He also sits on the board of US-based Wayfare Foods and previously served on the boards of Ultima Foods, Dairy Processors Association, and various entities, including a credit union and charitable societies. 

Although Maheb has recently stepped back from being the CEO of Earth’s Own, he continues to serve as a valuable member of the board and retains co-ownership in Earth’s Own and Happy Planet.

Maheb has lived and worked on 3 continents and has travelled with his wife, Parviz, to over 50 countries. They enjoy immersing themselves in different cultures, languages, and foods. He also enjoys “calorie loading” after good weekend runs!

“With proper support, cooperatives can make a positive difference in many people’s lives, and I want to be a part of that! I love participating in the process that makes Agrifoods great, which includes being able to put policies in place that benefit producers and the organization while keeping in mind the art of process that ultimately serves consumers.”

During his childhood, Bill was raised on a farm that included dairy, beef, pork, chickens, and a variety of crops, such as hay and grains. He bought the family farm and started milking his first dairy herd of 40 cows in 1977. Since then, he has expanded his operation to milking over 400 cows and sustaining the herd with homegrown crops. Today, he farms with his wife and two children.

In his free time, Bill enjoys deep-sea fishing, golfing, and taking scenic drives on his motorcycle. He is extremely passionate about raising awareness and funds for A-T (Ataxia-Telangiectasia), a rare genetic disease that affects young children’s coordination and causes immune deficiencies and high rates of cancer. He works as a volunteer fundraiser for the A-T Children’s Project Canada alongside his daughter, whose son is affected by the disease, in hopes of finding a cure.