Todd Ormann, VP Development, Joy Agnew, VP Research and Peter Mal, VP Student Experience. (Supplied)

By Sheldon Spackman

Three New VPs

Olds College welcomes new vice presidents to executive leadership team

Apr 11, 2023 | 1:41 PM

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has announced the welcoming of Dr. Joy Agnew into the role of Vice President, Research, Dr. Peter Mal into the role of Vice President, Student Experience, and Mr. Todd Ormann into the role of Vice President, Development.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Agnew, Dr. Mal, and Mr. Ormann to our executive leadership team,” comments Dr. Ben Cecil, President, Olds College. “Our new executive leadership structure focuses on students. We previously had two VP positions vacant and decided to add a new VP role dedicated to the Student Experience. With the addition of the expertise that our new vice president’s bring to the table, we will ensure that Olds College has the leadership to continue to be a leading agriculture technology post-secondary focused on fulfilling our social purpose of transforming agriculture for a better world.”

College officials note all three vice presidents previously held roles at the College. Dr. Joy Agnew joined the College in January 2019, most recently she held the role Associate Vice President, Applied Research. Under her leadership, officials say the team has successfully quadrupled the applied research program at Olds College, and led the College to being named in the top 10 of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges according to Research Infosource Inc. In her new role, Agnew will oversee all research activities at the College, including the Olds College Centre of Innovation, the Smart Farm, and the Field Crop Development Centre. For her achievements, College officials point out that Agnew has been named one of Canada’s top 50 most influential people in Canadian Agriculture; she holds a Ph.D. in Ag/Bio Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan.

“I am excited to step into this new role and continue to lead and support the amazing research and Smart Farm teams as we continue on our mission to be a leader in smart ag,” comments Dr. Joy Agnew, Vice President Research, Olds College. “We are committed to accelerating the development and adoption of best practices and technologies through industry-driven applied research.”

Dr. Peter Mal joined Olds College in 2015, and most recently served as Associate Vice President, Students and Registrar. College officials say Mal has extensive experience in the post-secondary sector including academic administration and student services. Prior to joining Olds College, he held senior positions at Prairie College including Managing Director, Communications & Technology, and Dean of Applied Arts & Technology and holds a Doctor of Education Degree from Western University and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Trinity Western University. In his new role, Mal will oversee the Office of the Registrar, Recruitment & Admissions, International, Residence Services, Athletics, Student Health & Wellness, Information Technology, Campus Facilities, Food Services, Print Services, the Campus Store and Conference Services.

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“What an exciting time to be a part of Olds College! I look forward to hearing from students and working alongside our committed teams to continuously improve the variety of services that will impact how students study, live, and ultimately succeed,” comments Dr. Peter Mal, Vice President, Student Experience, Olds College.

Officials say Ormann joined the College in 2022 as Associate Vice President, Industry Solutions & Partnerships. Named in the Top 50 most influential people in Canadian Agriculture by Canadian Western Agribition (CWA), Ormann came to Olds College from TELUS Agriculture where he was Director, TELUS Ag IoT Solutions. Prior to that role, Ormann was TELUS’s first “agricultural” hire and helped develop the new business unit TELUS Agriculture. College officials say he also brings extensive leadership experience from positions held at Farmers Edge, UFA and Syngenta. In his new role as VP Development, Ormann will oversee Fund Development, Partnerships, Government Relations, Marketing and Communications. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Guelph with a major in Agricultural Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Lethbridge (Economics Major).

“Over the last four years Olds College has developed and pioneered a unique and enhanced focus on agriculture and technology in areas that support students and the agricultural industry. I look forward to helping further develop and expand these capabilities to support farmers, ranchers, students and its industry in this time of significant change and focus on Agriculture.”

College officials say all three vice presidents will begin in their new roles on April 17, 2023.

by Sheldon Spackman

Olds College welcomes new vice presidents to executive leadership team

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