The Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) board of directors has appointed Garth Whyte as president and CEO. He assumes leadership from Clyde Graham, who has served as acting president since Oct. 1, 2014. Graham will resume his responsibilities as senior vice president.
CFI says Whyte brings decades of industry association, advocacy, and government experience, most recently as president and CEO of Restaurants Canada. Restaurants Canada is the voice of Canada’s$72-billion foodservices industry, with more than 30,000 members including restaurants, bars, caterers and other foodservice providers. Previously, he was executive vice president at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) where he held several other positions in his 23-year career. CFIB is Canada’s largest business association, representing 109,000 owners of small-and-medium sized businesses. Whyte began his career with the Government of Saskatchewan.
"Garth brings a breadth and depth of experience to CFI at a time that Canada’s fertilizer industry is facing significant growth opportunities," said Greg Yont of Agrium Inc. and chairman of CFI’s board of directors. "Garth’s proven leadership skills, relationship-building focus and knowledge of government will elevate CFI’s existing economic, social and environmental programs, while promoting the industry to decision-makers and all Canadians."
CFI represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers.