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OPVG is governed by an eight-member elected Board of Directors consisting of Ontario processing vegetable farmers from across three Districts in southwestern Ontario. Directors are elected for a two-year term.
By regulation, the Chair is appointed by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission. There are two Vice Chair positions, elected by the directors for one-year terms each year at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the District Annual Meetings have taken place in the fall.
Randy Jackiw
ChairRandy joins OPVG after a 42-year career in the Ontario Public Service with leadership roles in agriculture, economic development, financial and risk management services, and public administration. A respected leader known for fostering collaboration and driving change, Jackiw served as the CEO of AgriCorp, and most recently, as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Economic Development Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). Randy grew up in Leamington, Ontario and spent much of his youth on his grandparent’s farm near Point Pelee. He credits early experiences working on area vegetable farms as influencing his interactions with farmers throughout his career. Randy holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Windsor and completed the Chartered Director program (C. Dir) at McMaster University. He recently retired from OMAFA and lives with his wife in Guelph, Ontario.
Ryan Leclair
Vice Chair, District 1Ryan Leclair is a 3rd generation tomato farmer from Dresden. He grew up on a family farm and has been involved in growing many different crops. Ryan farms full time with his family, growing tomatoes for Con-Agra Brands in Dresden, and they also have corn, soybeans and wheat in their crop rotation. Ryan has served as Vice Chair on the OPVG District 1 Committee, was elected as a Director to the Board in 2020, and in 2024 was elected to serve another two-year term on the Board and serve as Vice Chair.
Peter Epp
Vice Chair, District 1Peter Epp is a 3rd generation farmer from the Leamington area. He graduated from the University of Guelph in crop science and agricultural economics, and is happily married with two sons. Peter has farmed with his grandfather, father and brother, and his oldest son is now actively involved. The farm operation has grown processing tomatoes since the 1950s, as well as a variety of other cash and vegetable crops, including onions. Peter was elected in 2024 for a two-year term, and continues to be involved with the local District 1 committee.
Eric Allaer
Director, District 1Eric is president of SERKKA Farms in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Today, SERKKA is involved in the production of various field vegetables for the food processing industry, including tomatoes and cucumbers, along with commercial grain production and primary production of antibiotic-free commercial turkeys.
Adrien Pinsonneault
Director, District 1Adrien is a 3rd generation tomato producer in the Chatham area. He is proud to be growing under his own contract in District 1. Adrien has been on previous grower buying groups as a Director and enjoys travelling and farming. He is also a licensed John Deere technician/mechanic. Adrien joined the Board in 2023 for a two-year term and looks forward to serving and supporting the processing vegetable growers in Ontario.
Larry Cowan
Director, District 2Larry operates CHIMO Farms Limited in Mount Brydges, which has celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. The farm produces lima beans and peas for Nortera. Larry has dedicated many years on OPVG negotiating committees and ten years of service to the District 2 Committee. He brings extensive governance experience from his previous roles which include service with the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Middlesex Director for OCPA , and as a Councillor for the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc. Larry is happily married to his wife, Marjorie. Together, they have raised four children and are now grandparents to eight grandchildren.
Tracy Gubbels
Director, District 2Tracy Gubbels was born in England and moved to Ontario as a young girl. She farms in Mount Brydges with her husband Pete and four daughters growing cash crops, watermelon and processing squash, and employing up to 14 offshore workers. Tracy has served on the District 2 Committee for several years and was elected to the Board in District 2 in 2022 as a Director for a two-year term. She looks forward to working with the Board to support growers and the processing vegetable industry.
Neil Reimer
Director, District 3Neil was born and raised on a farm in Belize and moved to Canada in 1986. He is married with three children and has farmed in the Vienna area for 20 years. In addition to the OPVG board, Neil has served on boards of Asparagus Farmers of Ontario and Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. He has served on the OPVG District 3 Committee for four years and was acclaimed in District 3 for 2023 to serve another two-year term on the Board