Bern Kotelko, President

Bern Kotelko has presided over Highland’s growth from a small mixed farming operation to an annual $60Million revenue agribusiness.

Bern graduated from the University of Alberta in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, and is a Professional Agrologist. In 2001, he completed the Canadian Securities Course, and in 2007, the ICD “Director’s Education Program”.

Bern is one of Alberta’s top strategic thinkers and has extensive experience in financial oversight, business development, and innovation.

Present Directorships:

• Co-Chair, Alberta Prion Research Institute Management Board
• Director, ATB Financial, a financial services corporation with $16Billion in assets
• Director, Winnipeg Commodities Exchange
• Director, Spring Creek Ranch, an innovative, whole value-chain natural fed, hormone and antibiotic free beef marketing company
• Advisory Committee member for the Alberta Value-Added & Technology Commercialization Task Force

Past Directorships Include:

• Chairman, AVAC (Alberta Value Added Corporation), an agrivalue investment group with assets of $90Million leveraged to $275Million
• Founding Trustee, Alberta Ingenuity Fund, a $500Million fund for research and innovation in Alberta
• Director, AFSC (Alberta Agriculture Financial Services), a financial services company with an agricultural focus having assets of $1.8Billion. Served as chair of the Audit and Credit Committees
• Director, Alberta Economic Development Authority

Recent Recognition and Awards:

• University of Alberta, “Alumni Award of Excellence”, 2002
• Alberta Institute of Agrologists ”Distinguished Agrologist Award”, 1998