SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
President & Chief Executive Officer
David Hansen joined CANTERRA SEEDS as Chief Executive Officer in October of 2009, and was shortly thereafter appointed President. David is an industry veteran with experience working in Canada and internationally. His background uniquely prepared him to lead CANTERRA SEEDS’ efforts to be a leader in the Canadian seed industry.
Prior to joining CANTERRA SEEDS, David was the North Asia Pacific Regional Manager for Agrotain International, developing new market opportunities in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. From early 2003 till late 2008 David lived and worked in China, managing the cotton seed business for Delta & Pineland and Monsanto Far East. His 30 + years of seed and agribusiness experience also includes numerous sales & marketing & management positions with Advanta Seeds and its predecessors Zeneca Seeds, ICI Seeds, and Garst Seeds.
Gerry Cantin, CA
Chief Financial Officer
Gerry Cantin is CANTERRA SEEDS’ Chief Financial Officer. He has almost 25 years of senior financial management experience in the agriculture industry. Prior to joining CANTERRA SEEDS in 2006, Gerry worked in the Finance and Accounting Departments of both The Landmark Feeds Group, as well as United Grain Growers Limited.
Gerry holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba. He received his Chartered Accountant designation from the CA firm of Clarkson Gordon, now called Ernst & Young.
Erin Armstrong, Ph.D
Director, Research and Product Development
Erin Armstrong is Director, Research and Product Development, and is responsible for the strategic aspects of breeder and end-user relations, breeder agreements, variety agreements for pedigreed varieties, and quality evaluation strategy. Erin joined CANTERRA SEEDS in 2008 following her tenure as President and CEO for the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute (BMBRI). Prior to BMBRI, Erin worked with Canada Malting Co., Ltd. and General Mills, Inc.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba and her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa. Currently she is the Secretary of the Intellectual Property Committee for the CSTA, the CANTERRA SEEDS representative to the BMBRI, a voting member of the Quality Evaluation Team for the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oats and Barley (PRCOB), and Chair of the Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC).
Brent Derkatch
Director, Operations and Business Development
Brent joined CANTERRA SEEDS in 2001, initially as Production Manager. Today, as Director, Operations and Business Development, Brent is responsible for all production and manufacturing activities, as well as market development efforts with end-users, and variety specific production opportunities.
Prior to joining CANTERRA SEEDS Brent worked at Brett Young Seeds where he held the position of Production Agronomist and Eastern North American Sales Manager.
Brent graduated from the Olds College Seed and Grain Technology Program, and holds a Certificate in Management from the University of Manitoba. Brent is currently on the Board of Directors for CSTA and is the Chairman of the Canadian Plant Technology Agency.
Brian Cummings
Director of Sales
As Director of Sales for CANTERRA SEEDS, Brian leads CANTERRA SEEDS’ activities in canola and pedigreed seed sales, including the management of the field sales team. Brian also supports the distribution network and coordinates market development.
Brian brings 25+ years of combined experience in sales, marketing, agronomy, crop protection and research to the CANTERRA SEEDS team. Originally from Ontario, Brian has spent the past 16 years living and working in western Canada. His experience in the agriculture seed business includes positions in sales and marketing with retail, Novartis Crop Protection and Monsanto. Most recently, Brian worked for Syngenta Seeds Canada as the western Canadian District Manager.
Sheena Pitura
Marketing Manager
Sheena joined CANTERRA SEEDS in 2006, and today is employed in the roll of Marketing Manager. She is responsible for all communications, branding and marketing initiatives that support the sales and corporate goals of the company. Prior to joining CANTERRA SEEDS, Sheena held positions with companies involved in distribution and retail agriculture sales.
Sheena graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Agriculture in The Classroom Manitoba.
