News Release Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, April 8, 2021 - The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is pleased to announce the hiring of Kerry Wright as its permanent Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Wright joins CAAIN after a lengthy career in the agri-food sector with leadership roles at the Beef Information Centre, the Mallot Creek Group, and, most recently, Champion Petfoods, where she was Vice President of Technical Product Development and Innovation. "Ultimately, what set Kerry apart from some other excellent candidates were her breadth and depth of experience, her belief in the Canadian agri-food sector's tremendous untapped value, and that CAAIN is poised to unearth and support that potential," said Laura Kilcrease, Chair of CAAIN's Board of Directors. "I can't tell you how pleased I am to have the opportunity to join the CAAIN family," said Ms. Wright. "It's a privilege to carry on the work begun by Dr. Cornelia Kreplin. The projects we are going to fund will transform Canada's agri-tech landscape and make our food sector more competitive at home and internationally." The new CEO, who will assume her duties on Monday, April 12, 2021, takes over at a busy time for CAAIN. Over the coming weeks the Network will begin announcing winners of its Closed Competition while also moving to the final stage of the Open Competition it launched in early December. About CAAIN The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network is a not-for-profit company launched in July 2019 with a $49.5-million Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada award and a mission to support the creation of technological solutions for the most challenging problems facing Canada's agri-food sector. caain.ca | Twitter | LinkedIn Project Funding Inquiries Kerry Wright, CEO Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network kerry.wright@caain.ca Media Inquiries Eric Morin, CMP Manager, Communications and Marketing Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network 780.405.3742 eric.morin@caain.ca