Appointee Biographies

CHRISTY MCMULLEN

Christy McMullen has been serving as a Vice-Chair since 2020 and is the Vice-President of Summerhill Market. Her community involvement includes formerly serving as Chair for the Canadian Federation Independent Grocers.

JOHN DEN BOER

John Den Boer is President of Den Boer Family Inc, and a former Store Manager for Albert-Heijn.

STEVE BAMFORD

Steve Bamford is a Chief Executive Officer for Fresh Advancements, and President of Bay Growers, and a former President of Freshline Foods Inc.

WALTER KONIK

Walter Konik, of Niagara-On-The-Lake, is the self-employed Owner of a fruit farm. His community involvement includes serving as Vice President of Ontario Farmers Association.

LEN TURKEVICS

LEN TURKEVICS is currently Principal at Turkevics & Associates. Former employment includes roles as serving as a Senior Policy Advisor with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs and as a Researcher for the PC Caucus at the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Turkevics holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto.

MACKENNA ROTH

Mackenna Roth is an agricultural entrepreneur and communications strategist based in Strathroy, Ontario. Raised on a multigenerational cash crop and equestrian farm in Middlesex County, she brings lifelong roots in Ontario agriculture to her current work in horticulture as the owner of Wild Belle Co., a small-scale cut flower operation. With over 15 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and strategic planning within Ontario’s agri-food sector, Mackenna has supported farm organizations, agribusinesses, and rural enterprises in aligning growth objectives with practical implementation. She is a participant in the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), Class 21, where she continues to strengthen her governance and system-thinking skills. Her experience reflects a commitment to strengthening Ontario’s food system through thoughtful leadership and collaboration.

LORNE BURNETT

Lorne Burnett, of Toronto, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Burnac Produce. He is also a former Managing Director of Institutional Equity Sales at National Bank Financial and at Merrill Lynch. His community involvement has included serving as a Board Trustee for the Bishop Strachan School.