The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) has announced the replacement for Garth Patterson, who is retiring from his post as executive director of the organization after 11 years.
Wayne Thompson will step into Patterson’s role on December 1, 2022.
“We are pleased to welcome Wayne to his new role with WGRF,” says WGRF board chair Dr. Keith Degenhardt. “We believe Wayne’s background and experience in agriculture research and his education make him uniquely suited to serve as the WGRF Executive Director.”
Thompson has been the executive director of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission for the past eight years and president of the Flax Council of Canada for the past two years. Prior to that, Thompson worked as a Research Program Manager for WGRF. He has also held previous positions with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in the Policy Branch and was the executive director of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association.
“I would like to thank the Board of Directors for this exciting opportunity,” says Thompson. “I am looking forward to the challenge. I have an engaged group of directors and a tremendous team in the office to work with. WGRF is a leader in agriculture research, and I will work to ensure that WGRF continues to fund crop research to benefit western Canadian grain farmers.”
The WGRF board is also thanking Patterson for his work over the past 11 years, as WGRF grew into the largest producer-funder of crop research in Canada.
