Exploring the World of Hemp Conference

Nate has served as the associate minister of Rural Economic Development and deputy chair of the Select Special Democratic Account-ability Committee. He was formerly a rancher with a cow-calf mix farm operation and volunteer emergency medical responder for Dryland Emergency Medical Services Association, president of the Highway 9 Feeder Co-op Association and co-chair of the Hardgrass Bronc Match.

Mark was elected to the Alberta Legislature on May 05, 2015. Having grown up in a conservative family, and son of a successful small business owner, Mark took a keen interest in politics and the future of Albertans from a young age. For three decades, he taught social studies in Drayton Valley and worked to ensure that his students became engaged citizens whose values would one day shape Alberta’s future. He values grassroots conservatives and understands that working together through collaboration and communication, an individual can make a difference in democracy.

Clarence Shwaluk has been involved in the agri-food industry for over 30 years. Fresh Hemp Foods is the integration of two hemp pioneers, Manitoba Harvest and Hemp Oil Canada, the world’s largest manufacturer of retail hemp food products and ingredients. With manufacturing facilities in Winnipeg and Ste Agathe, MB, the company has an international market reach.

Russ Crawford has worked in the Canadian commodity sector in various capacities for the past 48 years. He has held positions in both Eastern and Western Canada for various companies including Cargill, Alberta Wheat Pool, London Agricultural Commodities, Inc. and Net Energy Inc. Since 1999 Russ has managed his own consulting practice, Agrinomics I.T. Consulting Ltd., providing risk management and advisory services to a broad range of clients.

Presenters

Trevor joined the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) in 2017 with the Air Service Business Development Unit. In his role, Trevor is responsible for effectively executing air service development priorities, while cultivating strong relationships with the freight forwarder and business community, airline partners and key stakeholders at the airport.

Ted is an international agri-business executive with 30 years of visionary leadership, representing the Canadian hemp industry in both domestic and international markets. He previously managed establishing an international Italian Meats production and processing business. Ted represented international livestock and meat sustainability priorities at the United Nations and created an international beef export company, based on Canadian brand strengths. Ted managed Canada’s national beef export organization for 20 years. He is dedicated to open and participatory democratic institutions and takes a candid and forthright approach in dealing with all levels of industry and government for resolving issues.

Lori-Jo holds a Masters of Environmental Design (Planning). She has been advancing economic development for a socially and environmentally sustainable future for over 20 years. She volunteers at a regional land trust and a local public art group.

Presenters

After a successful career in oil and gas & finance, Andrew was looking for an opportunity that would satisfy his entrepreneurial spirit and make a positive impact for people and the planet. Andrew quickly saw the opportunity and value in Canada’s emerging hemp industry. With over 20 years of capital markets experience, Andrew is well known for early identification of major trends & themes and consistently achieved top ranking in institutional client surveys. Before founding BSHV, Andrew was a Managing Director of CIBC’s energy team and VP of Strategic Planning & Corporate Strategy at Cenovus Energy.

Presenters

Doug is overseeing the implementation of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, its sector strategies and Alberta’s growth agenda. He previously held the position of Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General where he made important progress tackling rural crime, advancing aspects of the fair deal panel report recommendations, and creating a faster, fairer and more responsible justice system. He’s a father, husband and former Partner with the largest law firm in the world with a love for his Province and an unrelenting optimism for what it can be. He’s a third generation Albertan who believes it is up to us to make sure future generations have the same opportunities many of us have enjoyed over the years.

Angus is the Founding Partner of the Angus Watt Advisory Group. He and his Group manage over $1.4 billion in assets and are specialists in Wealth Management, Portfolio Strategy, Financial Planning, Individual Insurance, Group Insurance and Benefits planning. The Group are true leaders in the community, and in 2021 was awarded Team of the Year by National Bank Financial Wealth Management.

Steve is a professional engineer and systems thinker who brings a passion for solutions to leadership of InnoTech Alberta. He has extensive background in information technology and technical systems, specializing in resolving enterprise interoperability challenges and industry-wide integration. His experience spans telecommunications, oil & gas, manufacturing, retail and distribution, and government, including specialization in healthcare systems. Steve joined Alberta Innovates in 2018 as executive vice president and is formerly a partner with Deloitte Consulting.

One of Canada’s most awarded, independent branding, communications and advertising agencies. Over a 20-year career Michael has built successful business strategies for well-known retail, community, and enterprise-level clients. Michael is involved in local, national, and international business communities advising and building partnerships in a range of sectors, including energy, consumer goods, food retail, pharmaceutical manufacturing, technology, and commercial hemp.

Presenters