Page 8 - Viterra Vibe_March 2025 (Final)

Viterra sponsors and coaches the Hill JDC West team

Viterra was an executive sponsor of the U coaching the Hill JDC West Human expect to see repeated successes, as we
of R’s Hill School of Business’ 2025 JDC Resources (HR) team. Unique to this have the last two years.”
West team. year’s HR team, we had past Viterra The Hill JDC West team had another
JDC West is an undergraduate business co-op student, Olivia Boehm, on the successful year, taking home 3rd place
case competition that sees teams from 12 team. It was cool to see Olivia work in for School of the Year and 3rd place for
Western Canadian Universities compete the two different environments and Academic School of the Year in addition to
in academics, athletics, debate and social to watch how she incorporated the the following team placements:
competitions and also includes a charity HR knowledge she learned at Viterra • 1st place for Accounting, International
and community involvement component. in her case presentations. Personally, Business, Charity Dollars, and Charity
I enjoy being a coach and mentor to
A number of Viterra staff coached teams HR students and networking with Hours
including: Josh Fink - HR, Chris Beebe future University of Regina graduates • 2nd place for Not-for-Profit
- Business Technology and Jordan Tholl - (my undergraduate degree is from the • 3rd place Entrepreneurship,
Finance. Business Administration faculty) as well Marketing, Human Resources,
Viterra staff including Jordan Jakubowski, as other JDC West coaches. I look forward Athletics, and Skit Night
Dustin Kuntz, Kenric Exner and Jon to continuing to coach the HR team and Congratulations to everyone involved!
White were also able to present to
the team in October on merger and
acquisition strategy and implementation;
and transportation, logistics and
merchandising. We were also able to
network with the team over lunch.
Here is what Josh Fink, Director, HR
Business Partners had to say about his
experience, “This is my second year 2025 Hill JDC West team
Recognizing Blair Roth’s contributions to the ag industry

the parent companies of Viterra, Alberta this opportunity into the commercial trade
Wheat Pool. I joined to help establish to continue helping to build this industry.
a special crops program within the What are some of the biggest changes
company and provide growers with more you’ve experienced in the industry since
opportunities to market their pulses, you started?
mustard and canaryseed.
Industry consolidation, growth in the
What roles have you had at Viterra (and average size of farms and the rapid
for how long)? improvement in production, cleaning

Blair Roth, who retired from Viterra as I have been Manager of Special Crops and and processing technologies have all
Director of Special Crops, was recently Director of Special Crops in my career changed/improved the industry.
inducted into the Alberta Agriculture with Viterra. What are some of the best memories
Hall of Fame in recognition of his lasting What accomplishment are you most you’ve had working at Viterra?
influence in Canada’s special crops and proud of in your career? Without question, the people!! I have built
pulse industries. I am most proud of the establishment of lifetime relationships with co-workers and
The Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame was a profitable and sustainable pulse and customers alike that I treasure to this day.
created in 1951 to recognize individuals special crops program that allowed Viterra What words of wisdom would you like to
who have made significant contributions to market the production from more acres share with team members just starting
to the agriculture and food industry and within each draw area in Western Canada at Viterra?
to the development and sustainability and provided growers with a competitive
of rural life in Alberta. Up the three alternative for their pulse and special Focus on working hard and treating
individuals are inducted every two years crops production. everyone with respect. Don’t be afraid
by a selection panel which is appointed by What was the ag industry like when you to be innovative in the work you do. And
the Deputy Minister. joined? the patience to pay your dues! The corner
office will come in time.
We recently reached out to Blair to get his I worked in research and development of
thoughts and reflections on his career. special crops for the first decade of my Find out more about the Hall of Fame and
Bill Roth’s career, including a short video
Why did you decide to join Viterra? career and helped to build awareness of here.
I joined the industry in 1990 with one of the potential of alternative crops and took

8 | VITERRA VIBE SPRING 2025