Résumé

MYLES FROSST

EXPERIENCE

Public policy analysis and strategic advice:

  • Advisor, Analyst and Facilitator, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, National Food Strategy, 2012 – present
  • Visiting Academic, OAC, University of Guelph, 2010 – present
  • Facilitator, Consumer Association Roundtable, 2010 –  (on contract to Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
  • CEO, Agricultural Institute of Canada, (2007 -2010)
  • Senior Policy Analyst, Policy Integration Division, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2007
  • Executive Director, Canadian Agri-food Marketing Council, 1997 – 2007 (consultant to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
  • Strategist and Facilitator, Dairy Industry Working Group, 2006 – 2007 (consultant to Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
  • Strategist and Facilitator, C-Internet Stakeholder Partnerships, 2005 – 2006 (consultant to Public Health Agency of Canada)
  • Senior Advisor and Coordinator, Sectoral Advisory Groups on International Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 1989 – 1996
  • Economist and Trade Policy Analyst, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1987 – 1989

Association management:

  • CEO, Agricultural Institute of Canada, 2007 – 2010
  • Executive Director, Canadian Agri-food Marketing Council, 1997 – 2007
  • Senior Advisor and Coordinator, Sectoral Advisory Groups on International Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 1989 – 1996


CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Identifying, analyzing and synthesizing input from public, private and academic sectors relevant to policy development and program implementation pertaining to industries of the agro-economy (e.g. primary agriculture, agri-food, bio-fuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods, bio-materials, environmental goods and services.)
  • Developing and implementing plans and strategies to inform and engage a diversity of stakeholders.
  • Preparing, reviewing, overseeing and presenting reports, briefing notes, presentations, speeches, backgrounds, and other communications/engagement products.
  • Assisting agri-food industry groups in seeking consensus, solving problems and preparing strategies and plans through key stages of the transformation process.

DEMONSTRATED SKILL

  • Management of agri-food industry associations calling for exceptional financial, human resource and strategic management skills including innovative fundraising and team building techniques.
  • Design, implementation, facilitation and management of consultations and engagement strategies resulting in (a) improved government use of private sector contributions to public policy and program development and (b) enhanced private sector awareness of public policy and program challenges.
  • Moderation of diverse stakeholder interests resulting in consensus.
  • Commercial, economic and political analysis of complex policy and program issues.
  • Preparation of clear, concise and informative briefing notes, submissions and presentations.
  • Oral presentations to a wide range of audiences (e.g. House of Commons Standing Committees; meetings with Ministers, their staff, and senior officials; industry and government conferences).
  • Building trust with senior representatives of the agriculture and agri-food sector across commodity and product lines and throughout individual value chains.
  • Identification and recruitment of individuals to actively participate in consultations and engagement projects.

 

KNOWLEDGE

  • Broad range of agriculture and agri-food policy areas: e.g., trade policy; international market development; supply management; environment; health and food safety; supply chain relationships.
  • Business challenges, opportunities and public policy concerns of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food and other sectors.
  • All facets of association management.
  • Public administration: e.g., budgetary, legislative and regulatory processes; federal-provincial, inter-departmental and industry-government relations.
  • Consultations and engagement techniques.

EDUCATION:
B.A. (Economics), McGill University, 1983

LANGUAGES:
English; French

CAREER HISTORY DETAILS

Visiting Academic
OAC, University of Guelph, 2010 – present

  • Initiated and secured the largest OMAFRA grant ever won by the College of Management and Economics for research on the competitiveness of the Ontario food manufacturing sector.
  • Analysing past and current research and advocacy conducted by industry or “think tanks” pertaining to competitiveness
  • Managing the stakeholder engagement of the project.

Advisor and Facilitator
Consumer Association Roundtable
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2010 – present

  • Facilitating the consultations between CFIA and eight Canadian consumer associations on a wide range of regulatory matters under the auspices of CFIA.

Chief Executive Officer
Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC), 2007 – 2010

With a budget of $1.5 million, a staff of seven and reporting to a Board of Directors, responsible for repositioning AIC as a profitable advocate for the scientists and other professionals engaged in contemporary agriculture.

Under my leadership and as part of the AIC team, accomplishments of AIC included:

  • Developing a strategy to rebrand AIC as the unifying voice companies and institutions advocating for the sustainable and profitable maximization of societal and commercial benefits derived from the agri-resource base.
  • Agreement among Board of Directors, AIC members and staff of a new strategic direction for AIC, one that supports agri-food related professional and scientific capacity building.
  • Providing innovative proposals and a road map to:
    • increase financial and in-kind support of AIC,
    • improve relations with current AIC stakeholders,
    • to extend AIC’s membership base into the corporate community.
  • Significant costs reductions through operational management.

Senior Policy Analyst
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2007 – three month term appointment)

  • Research and analysis of intellectual capital demand and supply for industries dependent upon agriculture for feedstocks.

Executive Director
Canadian Agri-food Marketing Council (CAMC), 1997 – 2007

With a budget of $500 K and on behalf of Federal Ministers of Trade and Agriculture and industry members, designed, managed and grew impact of CAMC to provide advice to government on policies pertaining to domestic and international market development and competitiveness including science and innovation.

Under my leadership and as part of a team of CAMC co-chairs, members, other private sector contributors, academics and seconded public servants, accomplishments of CAMC included:

  • advice on programs to support value-added export growth;
  • the establishment of export targets to provide a strategic focus to a range of public polices and programs;
  • the establishment of enabling goals which, if reached in e long-term, would support Canada’s supply capabilities to meet projected market demand;
  • provincial governments brought on board with targets and enabling goals;
  • original proponent of overarching integrated government strategy for Canadian food sector including regulatory and science policies;
  • policy and business analysis leading to a strategic basis for Branding Canada;
  • introduction of the concept of “blessed by nature” and the density advantage of Canadian agriculture into policy development;
  • raised early awareness on impact of animal health and zoonotic disease on Canadian trade prospects;
  • convened and managed national conferences on innovation, regulation and value-added strategies.

Fundraising Consultant
John Bouza & Associates, 1996

  • On behalf of an international board of trustees, conceived and negotiated a strategy with governments, multilateral institutions and business to provide a sound financial basis for a sustainable development research centre in South America.

Senior Advisor and Coordinator
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, 1989-1996

  • Provided full range of policy analysis, association management and consultations and engagement services to Sectoral Advisory Groups on International Trade representing agriculture and agri-food, fisheries, textiles, apparel, and consumer products sectors and to the International Trade Policy Committee representing all key industries of the Canadian economy.

Economist and Trade Policy Analyst
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, International Trade Policy Directorate, 1987-1989

  • Analyzed stakeholder interests in agricultural trade policy negotiations, coordinated the operations of a directorate of 20 trade policy specialists and support personnel, and developed a communications strategy on trade issues in agriculture.

Legislative Assistant
House of Commons, 1986-1987

  • Analyzed federal agriculture and agri-food policies and programs, played an active role in Member’s contribution to Standing Committee on Agriculture deliberations, wrote speeches, liaised with Ministers’ offices, and managed House of Commons office staff.

Economist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Farm Development Policy Directorate, 1983-1986

•   Conducted economic and political research for farm finance and farm management policies, coordinated on behalf of the Director General, operations of the 30 person directorate, and developed a computerized management information system.