Chuck Penner

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Chuck founded LeftField Commodity Research in 2010. He has spent nearly 30 years working in the Canadian grain industry, including:

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• five years as Senior Consultant in the Canadian office of Informa Economics

• one year as the Director of Marketing Strategy for Blacksheep Strategy

• fifteen years in various roles at United Grain Growers and Agricore United

• shorter stints at Pioneer Grain and the Canadian Wheat Board

• a few years trying his hand at farming in the late 1980s

• a farmhand, landscaper, waiter, busboy and camp counselor (and probably a few jobs he has forgotten about)

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Chuck has an Agribusiness Diploma and a B.Sc. Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba. He also has a Diploma in Biblical Studies from Winkler Bible Institute.

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Jonathon Driedger

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Jonathon Driedger joined the team in September 2019, adding his considerable expertise and experience. Jon has many years of expertise in the Canadian ag industry, including:

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• Senior Market Analyst with FarmLink Marketing Solutions

• Economist for the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange

• Commodity Risk Management Consultant with FCStone

• Nutritionist in the livestock feed industry

 

Jon attended the University of Manitoba where he obtained a BSc in Agribusiness and an MSc in Agricultural Economics. Currently, he is continuing his studies toward a PhD. Jon lives in Grunthal, Manitoba with his wife and three daughters, and “has a cattle habit that he can’t quit”.

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Alyssa Mistelbacher Newton

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Alyssa joined us out in LeftField in October 2023. She has spent over a decade working as a commodity market analyst in Winnipeg MB, helping Western Canadian producers market their crops, including grains, oilseeds and pulses. Alyssa holds a B.Sc. Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba.

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Alyssa resides in Springfield Manitoba, with her husband and son. 

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Who else helps with operations?

 

Marlene Penner

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Chuck’s wife, Marlene, provides support services to the business.

 

We also have a network of contacts and experts to lean on when additional know-how is needed.