John Zaplatynsky

Mr. Zaplatynsky was one of the founding partners and until August 28, 2010, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada GardenWorks Ltd., an independently owned and operated retail garden center company with a number of locations in British Columbia.

Mr. Zaplatynsky is also a former Chairman of the Board, member of the Audit Committee, and Chair of the Compensation Committee, of Contech Enterprises Inc., a Victoria, British Columbia based manufacturer, importer, and distributor of garden and pet products sold to the retail industry in Canada and the United States.

Prior to founding Canada GardenWorks Ltd. Mr. Zaplatynsky was employed by T. Eaton Co. Ltd. (from 1970 to 1984) in a variety of increasingly responsible positions in personnel management, merchandise management, and store operations in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

Mr. Zaplatynsky holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba.

Mr. Zaplatynsky has extensive executive and senior management leadership experience, and executive compensation and succession planning expertise, including in the agricultural sector.