Newsroom
2002
January 25, 2002
CWB CEO Greg Arason to retire at end of year
Winnipeg - At their regularly scheduled board meeting this week, the CWB Board of Directors accepted notice from Greg Arason, President and CEO, that he will not undertake an extension to his current two-year term set to expire December 31, 2002. The Board of Directors had proposed an extension of one year to Mr. Arason's term at the December 2001 Board meeting.
"The Board asked Greg to continue to manage the organization beyond his current assignment, however, we respect his decision," said Ken Ritter, Chairman of the Board. "We will be working in the coming months to prepare for an orderly transition of executive responsibility and are pleased that CWB management, staff and customers will have the benefit of Greg's leadership until the end of his current term".
"At this time, my only plan after retiring is to spend more time with my wife and family," said Mr. Arason. "However, the CWB has a lot of hard work to do for farmers this year and I'm committed to guiding the organization through it."
Mr. Arason assumed the role of President and CEO on December 31, 1998 when the corporate governance of the organization was changed from a Board of government-appointed Commissioners to a 15-member Board of Directors, 10 of whom are elected by Prairie farmers. Mr. Arason has been involved in the Prairie grain industry for more than 30 years and was formerly CEO of Manitoba Pool Elevators, and past director of several grain and food operations including XCAN Grain, Can-Oat Milling and CanAmera Foods Ltd.
The CWB is the world's largest farmer-controlled wheat and barley marketer. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, it is one of Canada's biggest exporters and the largest net earner of foreign currency. Marketing Prairie-grown wheat and barley to over 70 countries around the world, the CWB returns all sales revenue, less the costs of marketing, to farmers in Western Canada.