World Class Companies in our own Backyard
We are excited to have a Speaker Panel for our event featuring a few of Winnipeg's midcap business leaders from World Class Companies in our own Backyard.
Moderator - Bryan Shearer
Bryan Shearer is the lead portfolio manager of the GWL Investment Management Midcap Canada Fund, part of the GLC Asset Management Group Ltd.
Bryan became an integral member of GWL Investment Management's Canadian equity team in 2006. He worked with the Midcap Canada Fund portfolio management team where he developed significant expertise and indepth knowledge of this unique sector of the Canadian market. Bryan joined the Great-West Life Assurance Company in 2001 as an investment analyst in the bond department.
Bryan is a CFA charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree from the University of Manitoba.
Panel Guests:
Glenn Asham - Chief Financial Officer, New Flyer
Glenn Asham, Chief Fianancial Officer, began his carreer with New Flyer in 1992 as the Corporate Controller. He became the Vice President of Finance in 1994 and became CFO when New Flyer became a public company. He is responsible for Finance, which includes the Accounting, Treasury and Taxation Functions; Information Technology, Investor Relations and Risk Management. Glenn holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) in Finance from the University of Manitoba and is a Chartered Accountant (CA).
Gary Anderson - Chief Executive Officer, Ag Growth International (AGI)
Gary Anderson is a Co-Founder of AGI and was its Chief Operating Officer from inception to December 2010 as which time he became CEO. He has played an integral role in strategic development and execution throughout the growth of the business, both organically and through acquistion. From a startup business in 1996, Ag Growth International has become a global market leader in both on-farm and commercial grain handling and storage equipment. Today the company has five US based manufacturing plants, eight in Canada and one each in Finland, Italy and the UK. In addition to grain handling equipment, AGI is a leading manufacturer of grain conditioning equipment as well as a manufacturer of both farm-duty and commercial grain silos. Anderson is a native of southern Saskatchewan, receiving a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He first entered the ag equipment manufaturing industry back in 1978 with Fairford Steel Buildings of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Anderson served eight years on the executive of Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada, including Board Chairman. Anderson is currently a director on the board of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society Foundation, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Bruce J. Berry, President & CEO, Winpak Ltd.
Mr. Berry joined Winpak in 1976 as Vice prsident, Sales & Marketing. In 1994, he assumed the position of President, Winpak Division and in 2003 became Chief Operating Officer of Winpak Ltd. On January 1, 2004, Mr. Berry was appointed President & CEO of Winpak Ltd. During Mr. Berry's more than 35 years at Winpak, he has had a significant influence on the Company's ongoing success.
Winpak Ltd. locates its Head Office in Winnipeg and operates ten production facilities. Four are in Canada: two in Manitoba, one in Quebec and one in Ontario; and five in the U.S.A.: two in Georgia; two in Illinois; and one in California. More recently the Company opened a producton site in Queretaro, Mexio. The Company's 2004 anuual revenue was US $786 million and it employs approximately 2,200 people.
Winpak is committed to the manufature and sale of high-quality materials and the production of innovative packaging machines that are sold in combination with these materials. The Company's customers use the packaging products primarily for the protection of perishable foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and medical applications.
Kenneth P. Kuchma, Vice President & CFO, Winpak Ltd.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba in 1983 and a Chartered Accountant designation in 1986, Mr. Kuchma joined Winpak more than 25 years ago in 1989. He has assumed various roles of Progressive responsibility with the company from the Assistant Controller through the Director of Finance positions before being appointed on January 1, 2008, Mr. Kuchma to the posititon of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Winpak Ltd., a role he enjoys today.