Alberta Grains names Michael Flynn as first executive director

Flynn recently led FireSmart Alberta as its executive director

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A new ag organization has named its first leader.

Alberta Grains, the name of the amalgamated organization made up of the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley, welcomed Michael Flynn (pictured) as its first executive director.

“Michael is the perfect person to lead and represent Alberta Grains as the commission’s first executive director,” Tara Sawyer, interim chair of Alberta Grains, said in a statement. "His track record of leading multiple, diverse organizations that contribute to Albertans in a positive way, along with his experience collaborating with partners and stakeholders of all levels will allow him to seamlessly transition into the role to provide strategic and operational leadership to the organization.”

Flynn brings multiple years of leadership experience with him to Alberta Grains.

In January 2021 he became the executive director of FireSmart Alberta, which educates Albertans about wildfires.

Prior to that, from November 2017 to January 2021, Flynn led the Canadian Association or Petroleum Land Administration as its executive director.

And from 2007 to 2014, he was the executive director of the Urban Development Institute in Calgary.

Flynn is ready to leverage his experience to support Alberta’s ag sector.

“My perception of the agriculture sector in Alberta is that it’s coming into its own and rightfully so, being seen as a force and a necessary economic driver nationally and internationally,” he said in a statement. “As the collective voice of over 18,000 grain farmers in Alberta, I think we can not only be the model association in the ag sector but also a champion in the not-for-profit sector with the combined strengths of our amazing staff, delegates and board of directors.”

The organization’s board of directors will be named during regional meetings in November.

The meetings are scheduled for:

Region - Lethbridge - November 15 - Agri-Food Hub.

Region 2 - Strathmore- November 17- Travelodge by Wyndham.

Region 3 - Red Deer - November 21- Holiday Inn Express.

Region 4 - St. Paul - November 22 - Reunion Station.

Region 5 - Morinville - November 24 - Morinville Rendez Vous Centre.

Region 6 - Grande Prairie - November 27 - Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre Grand Prairie.

Anyone interested in becoming a director on the Alberta Grains board has until Oct. 31 to submit the required information.