Page 6 - Viterra Vibe_June 2025 (Final)

Five questions with Evan Olson

In my compliance role, I support our people are fantastic and the work is
Canadian workforce in understanding and interesting. I’m always working on new
following laws, regulations and corporate and different things with a wide range
policies, procedures and guidelines as of great people throughout Viterra.
well as encouraging a culture of ethical Each day brings unique challenges
behavior and compliance through training and opportunities. I can start my day
and awareness activities. working on a construction agreement
What work accomplishment are you for an upgrade at one of our Vancouver
most proud of? terminals, and end my day talking to
TradeEx about the impacts of new
Over the years, I’ve taken great pride sanctions, while talking to five different
What is your role with Viterra and how in helping to find success in some of Viterra colleagues in five different
long have you been part of the team? Viterra’s large acquisitions, significant provinces on different issues all in
I work in the Legal/Compliance group construction projects, and other major between. I’m regularly saying “well, I’ve
in the Regina office in the role of Senior files we’ve worked on. That said, I’m never run into that issue before…..”, which
Counsel & Regional Compliance Officer. more proud of the relationships I have is interesting and rewarding.
Prior to joining Viterra in 2011, I worked as throughout Viterra. When legal is involved, What do you like to do in your spare time,
a commercial lawyer with Miller Thomson it’s often because we’re troubleshooting. and what is a fun fact about you?
LLP in their Regina office and the Federal It’s very satisfying to work with colleagues
Department of Justice in Saskatoon. I to take an issue that feels like a problem, I’m the proud father of two very busy kids,
grew up in Saskatoon, but am proud to and collaborate to work through it, and and there is nothing that my wife and I
call Regina home. get it to a good place. There’s a lot of enjoy more than following them around to
relationship building that happens when their various sports (which I sometimes
What are some of your responsibilities? dealing with these challenges, so I’m coach) and other activities. I’ve been a
My role is split into two main parts: Legal proud of that. long term volunteer with the Canadian
and Compliance. What do you like best about working at Bar Association, where I currently serve
In my legal role, I spend most of my Viterra? on the national Board of Directors. A fun
time on the preparation, review and People around here say it all the time, fact about me is that during my university
negotiation of legal agreements, providing because its true – the best part of working years, I spent three construction seasons
legal support on projects, and providing at Viterra is the people. Early on in my working as an ironworker, installing
general advice on the wide range of tenure at Viterra, I knew that I wanted reinforcing steel on a number of large new
issues and opportunities for the business. to be here for a long time, because the buildings and infrastructure projects all
throughout Saskatchewan.
Long Service Retirements

We’ve had several long serving colleagues Clay Babecy, 46 years Rick built many long-lasting relationships
retire in the first half of the year. We Clay started as a Helper at Viterra as his with his customer base in Raymore/Cupar
thank them for their decades of service, first job out of high school. Over the years for over 25 years before his retirement.
leadership, and contributions to our he held many positions throughout the His dedication to his customers and his
success, and wish them all happy and company in Margo, Coronach, Plenty, commitment to high performance over his
healthy retirements. Sanctuary, and Elrose, wrapping up grain buying career was admired by his
Jacques Leblanc, 46 years (and 11 with over 25 years as a grain buyer in colleagues.
months) Rosetown, SK. Dennis Sieben, 45 years
Jacques joined Viterra as an elevator Clay’s dedication to the business and Dennis began his career in Reward, SK.
Helper when he was 18 years old. He held his customers was highly regarded by He relocated across many Saskatchewan
positions as a processor, Facility Assistant his team. He supported his growers in locations before finally settling in
(FA) I and FA II. He spent his final 29 years marketing over 3.5 million metric tonnes Grenfell, SK as a Customer Account
in Rosetown, SK as the grader/cleaner to Viterra facilities throughout his career. Representative.
operator. Rick Dinsmore, 45 years (and 10.5 Dennis spent the last 18 years there
Jacques was a fountain of knowledge. months) being a pillar for the station’s customer
He helped all the junior staff that came Rick began his career with Viterra in the base. His time, effort, and dedication is
in, showing them where everything was, late 70’s in southeastern Saskatchewan, certainly part of why Grenfell has been
guiding them through what to do for working at numerous grain facilities so successful. Anyone who was lucky
day-to-day operations and how to be across the province. Rick found his true enough to work alongside him will never
successful. His insights and knowledge calling as a grain buyer/CAR when the forget his famous one liners or his drive to
helped the entire elevator and the crew facility was built in Raymore in 1999. win customers’ business.
within it.

6 | VITERRA VIBE SUMMER 2025