| ? veterinarians, 12 WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 "all Gy has recently retired as a veter- Dr. De jan who was eonesdecea a swine expert. The Fullarton native is seen two grandsons along with healthy newborn piglets. ‘West Perth native retires as well-respected veterinarian GARY WEST Eullarton native Doug MacDou- <a poco retired from the istry, but he was os ae more aan avet. He wascon- sidered a pioneer in swine diseas | Raised on the 6th concession of Eullarton Township in West Perth, | his dad, Walter, was an entrepre- neurial pigfarmerin the late1950s to the 70s, building a 40-ft. x 100- ft. finishing barn on two levels a couple of years late’ Dr. MacDougald said that his dadwas slightly ahead of his time, met the Kell brothers John, L: MacDougald moved to the Mil- verton-Wellesley general vet practice, and his very first herd health clients, Gerald and Donna Yantzi, located between Welles- ley and Milverton, were dairy an‘ pig farmers, and they developed a close friendship for all the years they were in . and still re- main friends today. Dr. ld 1987 Stratford gl Commerce announces new GM BILL ATWOOD The Stratford & District se of Commerce recently an yunced that Aaron tie is their new general manaj Martin aes over the position that was left vacated after Eddie Mathews announced his retire- ment from the role in April. Martin, who grew up onafarmin Huron County, comes to chamber we about adecade of experience ture and business growth, which ae time workingin the agricultural sectors of Australiaand New Zealand. His most recent role was for the London-based Western Fair Association, where he served asi Ube) agri-Food operations, pro- MITCHELL ADVOCATE Aaron Martin has been hired as the new general manager of the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce. several international dealerships, Rennie Nore Japan and Australi Martin is : hoping to build off his years of experience in ricultural sector to help bolster the number of chamber members from that industry, he said. “I think they could be a huge as- setto the chamber...so that’s one region overcome any challenges they may face in starting their businesses. “We also want to help with the empowerment of women entre- preneurs, my wife being one of them herself. She’s been doing amazing with her business. I’ve been blown away by it, but there are some barriers when it comes to POMED SO want to address of my goals and also manufactur- ing Wedo h: when South Nea vets was first ig up with are getting out of the dairy bus! Doug and his brother Bill pro- vided the labour and learned ear- ly the value of hard work and also a dollar. The two youngsters had a few pigs of their own and kept a detailed ledger with full price for pigs and feed, but they also vividly remember that when the market went south, never Eneving to pay they have since set manager of rreG Grove Agri-business Incubator & Accelerator. tion in both categories, but both could be dramatically increased . . up were a ripe of veterinary and farm South West has been a great culmination of a career, and Dr. MacDougald says “he is so thank- ful to his partners, vets, a1 for their commitmentto th ie industry, the profession, and the culture of the biisiness.’ Doug wears many, ‘and even their dad back th: He said his dad, a longtime, clerk-treasurer with the former lart ago in 1977 in Barrie, and was interested in developing a swine practice right out of the gate. He ly duties atSouth West Vets, he still “Tm aperson in serving the local community. I think it’s something everyone should do in somé capacity. And so when this came up, it kind of aligned with giving me the time to talking on behalf oflocal ierneeee es here, the better it is,” he saic At the Grove, Martin worked with agrifood businesses to help scale up their operations, sup- ich I think is also important for a person in this role, because then they know the challenges and what every- one’s Soing through themselves,” Mai rtin pea just really. one se the farmers and companies looking for his advice and knowledge. His family knows he will continue his life with many pursuits, consult- ing when called upon, communi- ty involvement, charitable work, and travel to many poor countries with his never ending work with the international charity “Sleeping Children Around the World.” fon of fii There! 'sso much ecia to do things. I’m really excited to get started on it,” Martin said of joining the chamber. Martin, who studied agriculture at the University of Guelph Ridge- town and Athabasca University, also worked for Penta Equipment, an agricultural equipment man- ufacturer, where he worked with, iD were just starting out, as well as those that already had a bit of a track record. “They might have fantastic Produ a great idea, but they n’t have any idea on the regu- Testy side or the financial side. So we would wall throug] that -- kind of build them up, get them to that stage they need to be. at -- (and) then (we would) kind of facilitate the themand help them with certain p: any eaing along those'l tines? a a8 just 31, Martin may not fit the typical mould of a chamber gen- ral manger, who typically boast multiple decades of local business experience, buthe thinks his time in business operations will be an asset to the chamber. “T’ve seen operations in different countries. I’ve seen how foreign trade works. I’ve been very blessed in the amount of experiences that Thave, and I think that’s built up. my confidence to the point where I feel like I’m an asset to those around me,” Martin said. His age should also allow him to ia - Seecond they need to get to that next stage. "he said. artin, who also riins a winery and eldery with his wife, Jacque- looking to help more female cationic srs in the Stratford for along time, he noted. “I think it’s good to have people inaposition like this for along pe- riod of time, and that’s something that I would like tobe able to sup- plytothe chamber as well,” he said. or Spat