Manitoba Merges Insurance and Credit Corp

WINNIPEG - Sep 1/05 - SNS -- Manitoba has merged the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation and Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation into the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

Neil Hamilton has been named president and chief executive officer of the new amalgamated corporation. Hamilton has been the general manager of Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation for the past nine years and has over 20 years of service with government.

Lending operations will continue from the Brandon office with insurance operating from the Portage la Prairie office. Administrative functions will continue at both locations and no staff are being relocated as a result of the amalgamation.

MASC will operate with one board of directors. Two vice-chairs are being appointed to lead the insurance and lending committees of the board.

Effective immediately, the new board includes nine directors appointed for three-year terms. The board includes: John Plohman - Winnipeg, chair; Frieda Krpan - St. Laurent, vice-chair; Walter Kolisnyk - Minitonas, vice-chair; Frank Fiarchuk - Arborg; Harry Sotas - Solsgirth; Sandy Yanick - Shoal Lake; Carol Masse - Fannystelle; Wilfred Harder - Lowe Farm; and Anders Bruun - Winnipeg.