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The OVA Staff

  A full-time staff of four are based out of the head office in Guelph, as a resource base for facilitating the activities, strategies and policies of the Association.  
 
 
Jennifer Haley Executive Director

As the senior staff person at the OVA, the Executive Director is responsible for oversight and proactive management of all facets of the organization. Responsibilities include a lead role on government relations, development of annual budgets, monitoring of the OVA’s financial performance, all human resources activities and management of a wide variety of issues.  It is the Executive Director's responsibility as communications manager to lead the efforts of the OVA in communicating with members, government and other agencies and the general public. Responsibilities include the OVA weekly electronic update, Ontario Veal News magazine, press releases and the OVA manager’s report.

 
Marjolijn Hettinga Administrative Assistant

The Admin Assistant is the staff person with responsibility for staff support, administrative and reception duties, office supplies and equipment, acts as assistant to the Executive Director, preparation for Board and Annual meetings.  Responsibilities include coordination of trade shows, website administration, and production of the Ontario Veal News.  Further responsibilities include managing the computer databases, maintaining the OVA’s market information website, daily communications with OVA members, preparation of price reports, market summaries responding to information requests from producers.

 
Chris Palmer Industry Liaison

The Industry Liaison is responsible for producer relations, research coordination, environmental issues management and working with OVA's committees. This staff person works closely with industry partners on issues that are national in scope in addition to liaising with other agricultural organizations in order to make efficient use of the OVA's resources.  The Industry Liaison is also the coordinator of the Ontario Veal Quality Assurance program and is responsible for the facilitation of OVQAP workshops and promotion of the program to veal producers across Ontario. He is also responsible for providing support to veal producers involved in the OVQAP program; assisting with the development of on-farm standard operating procedures, records and documentation and preparation for on-farm audits for farm certification.

 
Kendra Keels Special Projects Coordinator

Joining the OVA staff in November of 2006 was Special Projects Coordinator Kendra Keels. She is responsible for initiating and implementing new projects such as implementing bob calf quality initiatives as well as feed trials for grain-fed veal calves which aim to increase feed efficiency.