AgriRoots Capital Management Inc. has successfully assembled a dynamic team of industry leaders with extensive backgrounds in fund management, brokerage, agricultural finance, capital generation and customer service to deliver on its vision of positioning themselves as the provider of capital solutions to Canada’s agricultural sector.
Leadership Team
Robb Nelson, BBA – Chief Executive Officer
Robb co-founded and is the co-owner and CEO of AgriRoots Capital Management Inc. Robb is a successful entrepreneur with over 35 years business experience growing start-up organizations in telecommunications, hospitality, finance, land development and housing construction.
Since 2001, Robb has been a practicing mortgage professional, founding principal, Broker of Record, and CEO of FamilyLending.ca Inc. where he has actively brokered private and institutional capital. Robb is a founding member with the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals and has grown a reputation to be a leader in lending within the Agricultural Industry.
Robb studied at the University of New Brunswick where he obtained his degree in Business Administration. For the past 20 years, Robb has worked with local government and the Chamber to promote the local area. He is currently a voting member for Chatham Kent Plan 2035 Advisory Committee and is the Chair of the Connecting2CK.ca Private Enterprise Committee.
Shawn Bustin, BComm – President
Shawn came to AgriRoots with 22 years’ professional experience as a Senior Executive in the Financial Services Industry in Canada as well as key personal experience in the Farming Industry. Shawn is accomplished in leading functional teams in Retail Banking, Commercial & Agricultural Lending and Wealth Management. In addition, he has held key positions in Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Asset/Liability & Liquidity Management, Mergers & Acquisitions and Enterprise Risk Management.
Shawn completed his Diploma in Business Administration at St. Clair College and his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Windsor. He has most recently received his Executive MBA in Financial Services from Dalhousie University.
As a Life-long resident of Chatham-Kent with his wife and two children, Shawn is consistently active in our Community, having served on a number of Boards and Committees including: St. Clair College, Community Futures Development Corporation, Chatham Kent Hospital Foundation, Chatham Kent Hospice, Chatham Kent Chamber of Commerce and Dresden Minor Hockey.
Matthew Alexander, MBA, BAcc – Operations Manager / Investor Relations
Matt came to AgriRoots with 25 years’ of leadership experience in Hospitality and Property Management. In these roles, Matt has worked closely with Municipalities, Advisory Boards, as well as special interest groups to problem-solve effectively for mutual benefit. He focuses daily on the needs of his customers as well as his team and has a passion for life-long learning and personal growth.
Matt began his post-secondary education with an honours degree in Accounting prior to obtaining his Masters of Business Administration from the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor.
Melanie Erickson, CPA, CGA – Controller / Accountant
Melanie is a CPA, CGA, with over 10 years experience in various industries, including fashion, manufacturing, and retail grocery.
As our controller, Melanie is responsible for reporting financial results to our board and stakeholders, and managing all accounting functions.
Born and raised in Chatham, Melanie attended University of Windsor where she received her B. Comm from the Odette School of Business. She continued her accounting education at UBC, and earned her CPA, CGA designation from CPABC. Melanie is dedicated to her family, passionate about supporting growth in Chatham-Kent, and proud to be part of the AgriRoots team.
Directors
Tom Sabourin, CA – Director
Tom became President and CEO of Polar Asset Management Partners in 2006, after joining the firm as Chief Financial Officer in 1994. From 1996 to 2005, Tom also acted as a Vice-President of Polar Equity Partners, an affiliated private equity manager, where he assumed a leadership role in many of the firm’s investments.
Tom began his career with Ernst & Young in 1986 after earning a B.Eng from the University of Western Ontario. He gained his Chartered Accountant designation in 1988.
Tom leads Polar’s charitable efforts through The Polar Foundation, which has contributed $3 million to “Help Communities Thrive” since its inception.
Jean Laprise – Director
Jean is a well established professional in the Agricultural Industry. He is the Co-Founder and Principal of Laprise Farms Ltd, a very diversified, family owned Agri-business with several divisions involved in field, greenhouse, and hydroponic vegetable production as well as vegetable preparation for both the food processing and fresh market industries.
Jean has been a key advisor and held long term Director roles on local and provincial committees including; La Caisse Populaire de Pain Court, Ontario Vegetable Growers’ Marketing Board, Ontario Seedling Growers’ Marketing Board, and the 2018 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo.
In addition Jean has been recognized by many organizations, receiving Entrepreneur of the year Award (Chatham and District Chamber of Commerce), Industrial Energy Innovator Award (Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation), Feature Act Award (Chatham-Kent), and was inducted into the Chatham-Kent Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2017.
Advisory Board
John Cowan – Advisor
John is currently Partner/President of North American Plant Genetics. The company sources corn, soy, sunflower and sorghum genetics in Canada and the USA; doing production and sales and marketing in Ukraine. John previously held the position of VP, Strategic Development for the Grain Farmers of Ontario from 2011 – 2014. He came to GFO from Hyland Seeds where he spent 34 years, ultimately ascending to the position of President which he held from 1997 – 2011.
John has extensive experience in the seed business and knowledge of the grain industry.
His industry experience has included 8 years on the executive board of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, including a term as President in 2005 – 2006. He has served as a director on the Ontario Agri Business Board and member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association. His most recent board experience has been on the Oilseed innovation Partners, including the position of Board Chair from 2015 – 2018.
Don Belovich – Advisor
Donald Belovich is a partner at the leading law firm Stikeman Elliott LLP in the Capital Markets, Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, public financings and complex corporate reorganizations. Donald also acts as counsel to issuers and underwriters in connection with initial public offerings and other public offerings and private placements. He regularly advises issuers, boards of directors and special committees on the structuring of M&A transactions, negotiating key transaction documentation, directors’ fiduciary duties, and other corporate governance, compliance and general matters.
Donald is the co-founder of 100 Guys Who Care Oakville (www.100guyswhocareoakville.com), a grass-roots organization that raises funds and awareness for Halton, Ontario based charities. Donald was also formerly an infantry officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.