CAAIN appoints Darrell Petras to lead innovation agency AgTech

[ad_1]

The new CEO previously co-founded a livestock management software startup.

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN), a nonprofit organization backed by the federal government, has named former Edmonton Unlimited vice president Darrell Petras as its new CEO.

Petras, who was previously vice president of programs and business development at innovation agency Edmonton Unlimited (formerly Innovate Edmonton), was named after months of searching for the next CAAIN leader. He is replacing interim chief executive Cornelia Kreplin, who took over when former chief executive Kerry Wright departed in July 2022.

There has never been a greater requirement to drive innovation in Canada’s agribusiness.

Kreplin, who served as executive director for the Alberta government’s food safety division and Alberta Innovates, was also named interim CEO for CAAIN when the organization was created in 2019. Kreplin left when Wright was hired as permanent CEO in April 2021.

According to CAAIN, he selected Petras to help the organization advance its mandate on agriculture’s growing contribution to Canada’s economy.

With more than two decades of experience in business leadership, Petras has worked as a founder, entrepreneur and business coach. He previously co-founded Alpha Phenomics, which offers livestock management solutions.

There has never been a greater requirement to drive innovation in Canada’s agribusiness, Petras said. We have some very exciting projects underway, with more on the horizon.

RELATED: Emmertech Closes $60 Million to Grow Dominant Canadian AgTech Companies

CAAIN was launched with $49.5 million from the federal government’s Strategic Innovation Fund and assistance from Alberta Innovates in the form of significant in-kind contributions. Although headquartered in Alberta, it is tasked with driving AgTech research and collaborative innovation from across Canada.

In addition to funding AgTech projects, CAAIN serves as a member-based online network to connect Canada’s agricultural and technology stakeholders. The organization is also developing a digital platform to connect national networks of production-specific smart farms to validate and demonstrate emerging technology across the country.

Featured image courtesy of Edmonton Regional Innovation Network.

[ad_2]