Rory McAlpine has overall responsibility for working with government and industry partners on matters of public policy, programs, regulatory affairs and trade. Prior to joining the Maple Leaf Foods, Mr. McAlpine served as deputy minister of the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries from 2002 to 2005. He also obtained significant experience with the federal government with the following positions: executive director and director general, International Trade Policy Directorate; director of the grains and oilseeds Division; and deputy director, Multilateral Trade with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Mr. McAlpine also held the position of executive director of the National Farm Products Council. He began his career as a Canadian trade commissioner with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, with postings to Kuwait, Bangkok, Brussels, Edmonton and Ottawa.