NEW CEO TO LEAD INNOVATION SASKATCHEWAN

Innovation Saskatchewan Minister Rob Norris today announced the appointment of Jerome Konecsni as the new CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan.

Mr. Konecsni has extensive experience in Saskatchewan's research and innovation community. Most recently he has served as Director General of the National Research Council's Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon. Mr. Konecsni also brings an entrepreneurial background from prior positions as the President and CEO of both Genome Prairie and BioSmart Technologies, and as Vice President Corporate Development of Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation.

He also served as Vice President - Agricultural Biotechnology, Small Industry Services, Marketing and Commercialization, Corporate Services at the Saskatchewan Research Council.

"I am thrilled to have a person of Mr. Konecsni's calibre leading Innovation Saskatchewan," Norris said. "The future of Saskatchewan depends on our ability to innovate, to compete and to grow our knowledge economy. Strong leadership at Innovation Saskatchewan today is critical to our success tomorrow."

"Mr. Konecsni's experience as a successful innovation leader in industry and within the federal government positions him well to lead this key initiative for the Government of Saskatchewan," National Research Council Life Sciences Vice President Dr. Roman Szumski said. "The National Research Council looks forward to working closely with him in his new capacity."

Minister Norris also thanked Mr. Kent Campbell and Mr. Chris Dekker for serving as Acting CEOs of Innovation Saskatchewan in turn since its launch.

Innovation Saskatchewan is a special operating agency established by the Government of Saskatchewan to coordinate the province's support for research and development and science and technology. Innovation Saskatchewan works to encourage and facilitate the development and commercialization of new ideas, products and processes with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainable growth of an innovation-driven economy in Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Rebecca Rogoschewsky
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0980
Email: rebecca.rogoschewsky@gov.sk.ca