Our dynamic team of experienced leaders includes:

Hugh Loomans President and Chief Executive Officer, Sylvite

Since acquiring Sylvite in 1983, Hugh has led this independently owned Canadian company through phenomenal growth. Today, Sylvite is an international, multi-faceted and vibrant family business that embodies Hugh’s passion for strategic partnerships and mutually beneficial, long-standing relationships.

Active in the industry for over 30 years, Hugh is chairman of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute, past-president of the Fertilizer Institute of Ontario and founding member of the Nutrients for Life Foundation. He sits on the board of directors for the Ontario Trucking Association, Canadian Industrial Chemical Association and the Ontario Agricultural College Alumni Foundation.

Hugh holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph and is a Certified Professional Agrologist (CPAg). He supports numerous charities and currently serves on the board of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation.

Bob McNaughton Director, Sylvite

Bob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at Sylvite, having been involved in the farm supply sector for more than 40 years. Before becoming a member of the Sylvite leadership team, Bob’s experience included senior sales management positions at Canadian Industries Limited.

Bob is chair of the Fertilizer Safety and Security Council and is a director of the Canadian Association of Agricultural Retailers and the Fertilizer Industry Roundtable. In addition, Bob is a board member of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute and past-president of the Ontario Agri Business Association.

Bob graduated from Centralia College of Agricultural Technology in Ontario.

Cassandra Loomans, Vice President, Sylvite

As Vice President, Sylvite, Cassandra oversees Sylvite Sales, with responsibility for strategic planning, customer service and other key divisional accountabilities. Cassandra also has responsibility for the administrative activities, and customer service roles for Sylvite Industrial Chemicals.

Since joining the company in 2007, Cassandra has held progressively senior roles, including Vice President of Sylvite Insurance Group, and Business Development Coordinator for Sylvite Financial Services. Early on, she gained valuable insight and experience as a customer service and sales representative, fertilizer and industrial management intern and as a crop scout. Cassandra has also spent time at Marsh Canada Limited and Lloyds of London working on her insurance knowledge.

Cassandra holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm) from the University of Guelph and is a certified Professional Agrologist (CPAg). She is also a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker, a graduate of the Agri-Food Management Excellence Executive Development Program, and current Vice President of the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA).

Brad Culp Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Brad Culp, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, leads the management team in the day to day operations of Sylvite’s shared services, agri-services and transportation business divisions in Canada and Ohio, focusing on performance, growth, cost savings initiatives, and customer relationship management.

Brad joined Sylvite in 2009 and has assumed progressive roles of responsibility. Brad has a diverse background in transportation, logistics and warehousing, with considerable experience in each sector. Brad’s operational and transportation experience complements Sylvite’s customer-focused objectives. His knowledge in continuous improvement and change management ensures we continue to deliver strong and consistent performance standards across the whole business. He works with Hugh, Cassandra and the executive team to support Hugh’s vision for a successful business based on integrity, independence, entrepreneurial spirit, and committed relationships.

Stephane St-Jacques General Manager, Sylvite Industrial Chemicals

Stephane has been involved in the chemical industry since 1997, and has a wealth of experience in business development. Formerly, Stephane was Sales Manager at Brenntag, where he headed the industrial business unit in Quebec and also held the position of Corporate Account Executive for pulp and paper. He was also a key member of the sales team while employed at Nacan (National Starch), an adhesive and starch manufacturer.

Jim Thomson Chief Financial Officer

Jim, a Chartered Accountant with a diversified background that spans over 25 years in a number of industry sectors, joined Sylvite’s leadership team in 2006.

During his long career, Jim served as Vice President of Finance and Administration for Shred-it International Inc., a global document destruction and record management company. Previously, Jim was Chief Financial Officer and Controller for Howell Transport Inc., Director of Finance for Conor Pacific Environmental Technologies Inc. and Director of Finance at Laidlaw Waste Systems.

Ted Heggart Vice President, Continuous Improvement

Since 1989, Ted has held a number of progressively senior financial positions within Sylvite, including Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the company, his experience was in the insurance and automotive industries. Ted is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from Brock University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from McMaster University. 

Diane Reid-Newman Manager, Human Resources

Joining the Sylvite team in 2018, Diane has over 20 years’ experience specializing in the development of small Human Resources departments while providing guidance and leadership to management and employees. Her broad experience as Human Resources Generalist includes employee relations, talent acquisition, payroll and benefits.

Prior to joining Sylvite, Diane worked in the construction industry. She has been a participating member of the Education Committee for the Ontario General Contractors Association as well as the Program Advisory Committee, Construction Programs at George Brown College. She is a long term member of the Human Resources Professional Association – Halton Chapter.