The Ontario government has appointed Nevin McDougall as chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), effective January 18, 2025. His leadership will strengthen ARIO’s support of research and innovation across Ontario’s nearly $51 billion agri-food sector, while accelerating the agency’s efforts to promote more commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.

McDougall has served on the ARIO board since 2020 and brings decades of international business leadership experience and expertise that will be instrumental in reinforcing Ontario’s agri-food research capabilities. He replaces outgoing chair, Dr. Lorne Hepworth who has been in the role since 2019. 

Hepworth presided over the completion of three major research centre build projects, renewed ARIO’s 10-year strategic plan, helped modernize the Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario Act, and has been an unwavering supporter of the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy.”

Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) is a crown corporation that works to establish and strengthen programs and relationships to enhance agri-food research, innovation and commercialization outcomes. ARIO also owns 14 research centres across Ontario. 

Source: Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario January 17, 2025 news release