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News Release: Food Centre announces new president
Saskatoon, SK | The Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre (Food Centre) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mehmet Tulbek as the Food Centre’s new president, effective January 31st, 2022.
Mehmet brings over 20 years of agricultural business and leadership experience to the Food Centre. His expertise in global research & development, business development and international technical education in pulses, cereals, oilseeds, and plant-based foods will assist the Food Centre to excel into the future.
Prior to joining the Food Centre, Mehmet worked at AGT Food and Ingredients, one of the largest suppliers of value-added pulses, staple foods and food ingredients as their Director of Research and Development.
“I am extremely honoured and proud to lead the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre and work with the dedicated world-class team to support the momentum the organization exhibited over the last two decades. I look forward to working with our board of directors, members, partners, stakeholders and clients to help build the future of the Saskatchewan and Canadian agri-food ecosystem,” says Mehmet.
“Our Board is pleased to welcome Mehmet to lead the Food Centre in continuing the organization’s success in the food industry, locally and globally. Mehmet was a member of our Board of Directors for over 5 years and we are confident that Mehmet’s experience and passion for the food industry make him extremely well suited to lead the Food Centre into the future,” says Jason Skotheim, Chair of the Food Centre Board of Directors.
Mehmet is taking over from Dan Prefontaine, who has served as president since 2000. Dan was instrumental to the Food Centre’s tremendous growth and success. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Dan for his leadership in shaping the Food Centre into a world class facility that it is today. We wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavours,” says Jason.
“It has been a pleasure leading the Food Centre for the past 2 decades. I am grateful for the dedication of our employees and the important partnerships we have built with our clients and industry stakeholders. I wish the Food Centre continued success and look forward to working with Mehmet over the coming months as an advisor to support a seamless transition,” says Dan.
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For more information, contact:
Jason Skotheim
Chair, Board of Directors
(306) 270-4343
fcboard@foodcentre.sk.ca
DR. MEHMET TULBEK BIO
Dr. Mehmet Tulbek has been a research, technology, and innovation leader with over 20 years of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and plant-based foods’ global research & development, technical services, business development, international technical education, and management experience. Mehmet completed his B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering with emphasis in Food Science and Technology at Ankara University, and his M.Sc. in Food Engineering at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. He then moved to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. in Cereal Science at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. Before joining Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, Mehmet served as the Director of Research and Development at AGT Food and Ingredients in Saskatoon, Canada, and worked at Northern Crops Institute (NCI) as Crop Quality Specialist and then as Technical Director. Mehmet is a sought-after presenter at global industry and academic gatherings, and has authored several journal articles, book chapters, proceedings and two provisional patents. Mehmet is a member of multiple organizations including IFT, AOCS, CIFST, CNS, and Cereals & Grains Association (former AACC). He currently serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences and the University of Manitoba Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences.
ABOUT FOOD CENTRE
The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. (Food Centre) is recognized globally as a key innovator in the food industry. The Food Centre works with local and international agri-businesses in ideation, prototyping and manufacturing of food and beverage products, specializing in the utilization of plant-based protein. The Centre’s expertise in product development, novel ingredient validation and application, extrusion and processing provides a one-stop-shop for industry to transform ingredients and ideas to innovative commercial products.
News Release – New Food Centre President Jan 18, 2022 PDF file