Dr. R.J. (Rob) McLaughlin

Dr. R.J. (Rob) McLaughlin President and Chair of the Board, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

• Attended graduate school (University of Guelph) completing a Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics in 1977.
• Assistant/Associate Professor in Crop Science, University of Guelph (1977-83).  Additional responsibilities included coordinating the Crop Science department extension program and managing the department’s research stations.
• Accepted a position with the Ontario Ministry  of Agriculture and Food in 1982 as Director of the Plant Industry Branch with responsibility for extension activities relating to field and horticulture crops, soil and water management, agroclimatology, pest management and energy.
• In 1985, appointed Executive Director, Education and Research Division, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, responsible for a decentralized network of eight line branches, including five colleges, 22 research stations and the contract for diploma teaching, agri-food research and technology transfer services with the University of Guelph.
• Assumed position of Dean, Ontario Agricultural College on August 1, 1990.  Served as dean responsible for the Guelph Food Council and, the Council on Rural Communities.  Served as an executive member on a number of other boards – Guelph Turfgrass Institute; Confederation of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; OAC Alumni Foundation; George Morris Centre (Canada’s AgriFood Thinktank); Advanced Agricultural Leadership Trust, and Country Heritage Experience Incorporated.  On April 1, 1997 assumed added responsibility for Ridgetown, Kempville and Alfred Colleges and the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario.
• On August 1, 2001 assumed position of Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development at the University of Guelph.  Successfully managed the Science of Life, Art of Living campaign for the University of Guelph raising over $80 million.  Strengthened the University’s alumni programs by realigning staff resources with the Dean’s offices.  Served as president for the University of Guelph Foundation & Friends of Guelph USA.
• On September 1, 2003 was seconded to the position of Associate Vice-President (Research) Agri-Food & Partnerships responsible for the University’s agri-food and life sciences research portfolio and the many partnerships and collaborations that come from that enterprise.  This includes the University’s partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. 
• On May 1st, 2007 was named Association Vice-President Research (Agrifood Strategies).
• Serves as President and Chair of the Board of Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Vice-Chair of the Board for Ontario Agrifood Technologies and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Guelph Food Technology Centre, Equine Guelph and Ontario Equine Centre Inc.

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