Jason Pollock’s diverse background has landed him the top administrative job at Canadian Western Agribition.
The board of directors announced last week that Pollock of Qu’Appelle, Sask., will take over as chief executive officer and general manager effective May 21.
Current manager Leon Brin is stepping down after five years.
Pollock was raised in the Cypress Hills area has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Saskatchewan and won the steer wrestling title during the Canadian Cowboys’ Association finals rodeo last November at Agribition. He was named cowboy of the year for 2006.
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He has held several senior positions at SaskPower and was most recently the supervisor of business performance and planning.
Outgoing agribition president Herb McLane said Pollock brings to his new job a reputation for positive leadership as well as practical financial and project management skills.
“Jason’s background will allow him to work with the agribition board of directors and staff in growing the strengths of agribition while defining positive direction that addresses our organization’s needs,” McLane said in a news release.
Agribition posted a profit of $17,055 for the year ending Jan. 31. The sixth consecutive annual profit represents a record for the organization.
Attendance at the 36th show was more than 139,500 and included 417 registered international visitors from 51 countries and 16 American states.
At last week’s annual general meeting, Shannon McArton of Dilke, Sask., was elected president. McArton, a grain farmer, works on the national marketing team at Farm Credit Canada and has spent 20 years with agribition as a volunteer, program co-ordinator and director.
Marilyn Charlton of Weyburn, Sask., is first vice-president, while Bryan Hadland of Weldon, Sask., is second vice-president. Rounding out the executive at large are Grant Royan and Reed Andrew, both from Regina.
Board members elected to two year terms were all from Saskatchewan. They include: Grant Alexander of Wey-burn; Dale Claypool of Regina; Sherri Grant of Val Marie; Don Harder of Clavet; Bruce Holmquist of Kinistino; Stewart Stone of Regina; Cory Schaeffer of Regina; Tim Wiens of Regina and Barry Young of Carievale.
Directors serving the second year of their terms are: Andrew; Charlton; Hadland; Royan; Harry Haney of Calgary; Hartley Markusson of Emerald Park, Sask.; Don Peterson of McCord, Sask.; Gordon Roger of Regina; and John Simpson of Theodore, Sask.
The board honoured Dennis Metz of Lumsden as barn boss of the year.
