Bob Bedggood, Chair of the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) announced today that the Executive Director, Duff MacKinnon, will be leaving the Council after 7 years of valued service, effective August 29th, 2003.

Duff joined the AAC as its first staff member in 1995 and has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the AAC team.

“His professionalism and leadership have made significant contributions to our organization. We will miss him but understand and respect his decision to leave,” says Bedggood.

“It has been a privilege to be the first Executive Director of the AAC,” said Duff. “This has not been an easy decision, but one that affords me the opportunity to pursue new challenges and opportunities.”

Duff plans to devote his energies to his new role as Executive Director of The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance.

The AAC Executive has appointed Angela Stiles, Operations Manager, into the Executive Director position, to provide continued support to the Senior Management team and the AAC Board.

The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) is a non-profit coalition of 55 agricultural, agri-business and rural organizations working together to support Ontario's agricultural sector and rural communities. The AAC receives its funding through Ontario's share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) $60 million-per-year Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) fund.

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For more information:

Nadine Buitenhuis
Communications/Program Coordinator
Agricultural Adaptation Council
Phone: (519) 822-7554
Fax: (519) 822-6248
e-mail: Nadine's e-mail
Web site: www.adaptcouncil.org