Saskatoon, SK: Ag-West Bio is pleased to announce that Mike Cey has been appointed VP of Corporate and Business Development. Cey assumes his responsibilities on January 17, 2011.
Wilf Keller, President and CEO of Ag-West Bio, says it is important for Ag-West to re-establish the position of Vice President. “The VP of Ag-West has a key role in keeping the industry moving ahead. The VP serves as government liaison, keeping provincial and federal governments up-to-date on regulatory and trade issues; he works with industry, research institutions, associations, and government agencies to identify and lead key strategic initiatives and execute collaborative projects to strengthen Saskatchewan’s ag-bioeconomy, and he provides strategic guidance in Ag-West Bio’s commercialization activities.”
Cey has an extensive background in agriculture and the ag-biotech sector. While earning a B.Sc in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan, he worked for Dow, Agriculture Canada and Monsanto in various research capacities. Upon graduation he began his career with Cowan Fuel and Fertilizers out of Regina as a retail agronomist, and then with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool as a Senior Commodity Merchandiser, sourcing and trading special crops and helping design and implement a new grain handling system. He helped AgPro Grain establish their business in Alberta, and also worked with the Canadian Wheat Board as a Farm Business Representative. Most recently, Cey served as the Director of Marketing in the Crop Supplies Department at Federated Co-operatives Ltd. in Saskatoon.
Keller says the organization is confident in its selection of Cey for the VP position. “Mike’s business skills combined with his understanding of the province’s ag-biotech sector will be an asset to Ag-West. The networks he has already established in this province will serve him well in his new position. I would like to welcome Mike to the Ag-West Bio team, and look forward to working with him.”
Cey says he is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of his new position at Ag-West Bio. “I am extremely excited to join the Ag-West Bio team and envision a very bright future for the ag-biotech sector in Saskatchewan. I humbly look forward to helping grow our bio-economy and working collaboratively with the stakeholders in our industry. It is a very exciting time for industry, our province and our people!”
Download a PDF of this article here.