Board of Directors

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Board of Directors

Our Board of directors is one of the many reason for our success.

From hiring the right people, to demonstrating through their actions our values, we are proud of our Board of directors.

Matthew (Matt) Seabrook - President

Algoma Zone

Matthew Seabrook joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2013.

Matt graduated from Algoma University with a BBA in Accounting before attaining his CPA, CMA Designation. Over the years he has held several accounting roles and is currently a cash crop Farmer and the Business Owner of Rosenberg Building Supply Inc. Matt is a dedicated volunteer, serving as the President of the Thessalon Curling Club and he also sits on the Algoma Mutual Insurance BOD. Matt is now proudly serving his community as the Mayor of the Municipality of Huron Shores since 2022.

James Parson - Vice-President

Cache Bay – Sturgeon Falls Zone

James Parsons joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2001.

James is a farmer, born and raised in Cache Bay, his love of farming continues to evolve and is also shared by his family. James and his wife Michelle have operated a family farm since 1999 that encompasses dairy, field crops, custom cropping, and grain trucking. James has current and past involvement on regional and provincial agricultural committees in the dairy and crop sectors. His son Kyle also took on his love of Agriculture and now is a full partner of the cropping and trucking businesses with his parents. Over the years James has been the proud recipient of performance awards regionally and provincially.

Michael Trodd - Secretary

St-Charles/Hagar/Markstay/Warren Zone

Michael Trodd joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2016.

After spending 43 years in the Emergency Medical Services field Michael retired in 2016 as the Chief of Timiskaming EMS. After retirement he and his wife relocated to St Charles where she grew up.

Prior to retirement Michael received the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal.

He continues to hold certifications with the Ontario Municipal Management Institute and Emergency Management Professional. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs.

Michael is now a certified Travel Consultant and an advocate for those who wish to travel with a disability.

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Gérald Beaudry – Director

Verner Lavigne Zone

Gérald Beaudry joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2015

Gérald was raised in Verner on a dairy farm. He graduated from Laurentian University and started his teaching career. He was a representative for the United Cooperatives of Ontario for the Northeast region of Ontario from 1982-1984. He was also a producer of certified seed grains for 25 years and over the last 40 years he has been involved in promoting agriculture in the region. Gérald is member and former provincial director of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association from 1997-2006 he was also the provincial director of Agricorp. He was a part of the study group for the Verner grain elevator project and for the last 25 years he has also been the President for the West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Inc.

Sylviane Beaulieu – Director

French River Zone

Sylviane Beaulieu joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2003.

Sylviane Beaulieu, is a proud agricultural producer who is passionate about the world of agriculture. She owns and operates a dairy farm in French River, ON. A significant portion of her time is dedicated to education and research in agriculture, serving as a professor and coordinator of the online agricultural technology program, as well as the coordinator of agricultural research projects at Collège Boréal. Her role as the director for the Rivière des Français underscores her dedication to supporting the community and promoting sustainable agriculture. Together, through this cooperative, we work towards innovative and environmentally friendly agriculture, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Gérard Bédard – Director

At large

Gérard Bédard joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2019.

Having been raised on a dairy farm in Noelville Gérard developed a love of Agricultural from a young age which he has since passed on to his daughter. After 34 years of working for Falconbridge Mine he has since retired and works part time on his daughter’s farm in Lavigne.

Always interested in learning new things and enriching people lives over the years Gérard has been a farmer, machinist, crane operator instructor, health and safety instructor, JIT instructor. He is currently an active member of the Mine Mill Unifor Local 598, the Warren Lion’s Club and assists with a medication awareness program for seniors.

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Omer Lavergne – Director

At large

Omer Lavergne joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2019.

Omer was born and raised on a farm and in 1996 he purchased his own farm which now has over 70 head of cattle, cow, and calf operation and over 300 acres of cash crop. However, over the years his interests have extended outside of Agriculture, and he found himself drawn to the mechanical side of the operations, he worked at the North Bay airport as a mechanic for 9 years and in 2006 started working at the Municipality of West Nipissing as a mechanic and operator he is now a fleet technician.

Joel Olivier – Director

Joel Olivier is the proud owner and operator of Field View Farm, continuing the legacy as a Fourth-generation farmer. A lifelong resident of Verner, Joel is deeply rooted in the community he loves and is passionate about supporting local agriculture and fostering connections. Whether troubleshooting equipment, strategizing solutions, or simply sharing lived experiences and advice, Joel is always available to lend a helping hand to his fellow farmers and neighbors.

His commitment to community extends beyond the farm, as Joel serves on the NO-FIA Advisory Council representing West Nipissing/Sudbury East, the West Nipissing Agricultural Advisory Committee, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for West Nipissing-Sudbury East Board of Directors.

Daniel Olivier – Director

At large

Daniel Olivier joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2024

Daniel is from a 5th generation farming family in Verner. He started farming in partnership with his father in 1977 and now cash crops 700 acres. He also owns West Nipissing Sanitation.

Daniel is a former municipal councilor for Verner and West Nipissing and is presently chairman of West Nipissing Environmental. He is also a chairman and founding member of Verner Lime Spreader Syndicate which was formed 40 years ago, he also chairs on the Nipissing Hay Producer Cooperative, which sells 10,000 round bales yearly to Vale in Sudbury for land reclamation purposes.

Daniel served on the Co-Op board in the eighties and nineties and rejoined in 2024. He has also served on the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation along with over 30 other boards.

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Jack Phillips – Director

Temiskaming Zone

Jack Phillips joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2019.

Jack was born and raised on a farm in Timiskaming, his love of Agriculture started at an early age and has continued to grow over the years. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and spent 35 years in senior management roles within the forestry industry.

He served as the president of Phillips Seeds for 38 years and an auditor for the Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association for the past 6. Jack was the Farm Credit Canada Relationship Manager for Northern Ontario from 2012 to 2016. Not one to slow down Jack is a Chair for the North Bay Granite Club Master’s Bonspiel and a member of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association and SeCan.

Jean-Guy Seguin – Director

At large

Jean-Guy Seguin joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2024.

Jean-Guy Seguin was born and raised on a dairy farm in Noelville, from 1974 to 1991 he ran the farm with his brother and father. In 1991 he began dairy farming in Verner and continued to do so until 2006.

He has also been on the board of directors for the Caisse Populaire and from 1996 to 2004 he sat as a director for the Dairy farmers of Ontario and from 1996 to 2002 he was on the Dairy Farmers of Canada board. From 1982 to 1991 Jean-Guy proudly served the municipality of French River as a councillor. He is currently a Field Service representative for Dairy Farmers of Ontario. With no sign of slowing down Jean-Guy presently operates a cash crop operation of 450 acres in Verner.

John (Jack) Wilkinson – Director

Temiskaming Zone

Jack Wilkinson joined The Co-operative Regionale’s board of directors in 2008.

Jack is a grain and oilseed producer on the family farm in Temiskaming. He is a retired Captain from the Canadian Armed Forces and the recipient of both an Honors Doctorate of Laws from the University of Guelph and an Honorary PAg.

Jack is a director of the Co-Operators Insurance board and has served primarily on the risk and sustainability committees. He also served on the board of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC).

In his long career as an advocate for agriculture he served as director and President of three Federations of Agriculture - Canadian, International, and Ontario as well as various government committees.

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