The Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) board of directors has hired a new chief executive officer (CEO).
Denise Hockaday will be joining CFO on August 30, 2021 as the board’s permanent CEO.
Hockaday will act as chief advisor to the board, represent CFO provincially and nationally, and provide strategic leadership for the organization, farmer-members, staff, and stakeholders.
Hockaday brings a wealth of experience to the organization. Most recently, Hockaday held executive positions with Bayer and Monsanto where she established and led the Climate Corporation in Canada, managed the company’s seed business of corn, canola, and soybeans, and held additional national leadership roles within the organization.
Involved in ag industry and education programs, Denise has served as a designate for Soy Canada, is past president of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association, Ontario Chapter and has participated in the University of Guelph MBA program as an industry resource. Most recently, Denise was appointed to the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario.
Hockaday is a University of Guelph graduate with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, focused on marketing and agribusiness. She grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Ontario and currently lives near Guelph, with her family and is an active volunteer in her community.
In addition, the CFO board and staff would like to extend significant thanks to Mike Nailor, who served as interim CEO for the last five months.
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