SVC has new GM


Long-termsustainability is hismajor aimfor Summerland Varieties Corporation. By Susan McIver


M


ichael Bechtel has been named the new general manager of the Summerland


Varieties Corporation.


It’s a position he might have had when the grower-owned operation, formerly known as the Okanagan Plant Improvement Company (PICO), was first getting started.


“I was asked for advice when the BCFGA was thinking about taking on PICO in the early ’90s,” Bechtel recalls. “Its potential was widely recognized but there were concerns about risks and how to organize and operate the new entity.”


An agrology consultant with clients throughout the Okanagan at the time, Bechtel was asked to apply for the position of PICO’s first manager. ‘It’s just as well I didn’t get the job. My career was taking a turn and now I can bring so much more to the position,” Bechtel said.


In particular, he has honed his leadership, management and communication skills while becoming knowledgeable in biotechnology transfer and gaining experience in numerous commodities across the country.


“I am confident that SVC under Michael’s management will continue to play an important role in supporting the development and success of the B.C. and Canadian tree fruit sectors,” said SVC president Nirmal Dhaliwal. Established in 1993, the company has undergone several significant changes as it continues to license new varieties of fruits and berries.


Bechtel brings an extensive network of key players in government, the


SUSAN MCIVER


Michael Bechtel brings an extensive network of key players in government, the private sector, universities and associations to his new role.


private sector, universities and associations to his new role. “The focus of my efforts has been to improve the financial and economic viability of agriculture and agriculture biotechnology production and processing units by optimizing their operations and management practices,” Bechtel said.


Early in his career, he was able to cut $3 million out of the operations budget of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency. This was accomplished through streamlining the delivery system, primarily by building partnerships and improving communication between farmers and the public.


As general manager, Bechtel wants to ensure the corporation’s long-term sustainability. SVC has grown from a struggling organization to a position where it is now realizing returns that are being used to help growers through training opportunities and shared capital investments with government. Bechtel said he wants to build on the widely-recognized success of varieties such as Ambrosia apples and Staccato cherries to include multiple varieties. Promising new varieties include the Salish apple and the Sentennial cherry varieties.


He also sees a future in which SVC has increased and strengthened


partnerships across Canada and globally.


Currently, SVC operates in 15 countries.


Bechtel’s first 100 days as manager will be focused on learning about the tree fruit industry and SVC’s role in it. Eventually he will present recommendations on strategic directions to the SVC board which represents growers.


“The key to my previous success has been to understand that everything can be improved upon, without exception,” said Bechtel, who is definitely an ‘out- of-the-box thinker.’


While capable of visualizing the broad picture in policy and strategic planning, Bechtel says he understands the grassroots implications and what it will take to make it happen. His practicality stems from a childhood spent on a small mixed farm on Vancouver Island and thinking about how to make money.


“My dad loaned me the money to buy three dozen hens and I sold eggs door- to-door.”


His interest in agriculture and related business aspects led him to earn a bachelor’s degree from UBC Vancouver in agricultural economics and animal science and eventually a master’s in business administration from McMaster


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2015 15


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