KBRS is pleased to have assisted in the appointment of Tom Osborne as the next General Manager for the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador (DFNL). The following is an excerpt from their recent announcement.
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St. John's, NL – The Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador (DFNL) and the School Milk Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (SMFNL) are pleased to announce the appointment of a distinguished new General Manager, Tom Osborne, who brings a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in provincial government. Known for a leadership style that is steady, contemplative, decisive, and accessible. Osborne is set to bring innovative solutions to complex problems facing the province’s dairy industry.
Osborne’s career encompasses significant roles including multiple cabinet portfolios such as Labour, Environment, Health, Justice, Finance, Service NL, and Education, demonstrating a profound understanding of governance, policy development, and strategic financial management. Notably, as the former Finance Minister during challenging financial periods, the appointee led initiatives to improve the province's credit rating and developed strategies to fortify the economy, particularly through the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. His tenure in the Department of Education was marked by the development of a comprehensive K-12 back-to-school strategy during the pandemic, which became a model for balancing safety with educational continuity. This approach resulted in Newfoundland and Labrador experiencing the least learning loss among Canadian provinces.
As Minister of Health and Community Services, the appointee successfully implemented strategies to address health human resource pressures, significantly reducing emergency department closures and diversions. Osborne’s leadership facilitated the transition of the province’s health authorities, streamlining operations and enhancing service delivery. Osborne also brings to the table extensive experience in operational and financial management, team leadership, and negotiation, skills honed through both his political career and as a co-owner and operator of one of Atlantic Canada’s largest entertainment and event promotion companies.
“I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to advance the dairy industry in our province as we work towards increasing fluid milk consumption and explore industrial milk opportunities," said Osborne upon the announcement of his appointment.
Craig Lester, DFNL Board Vice Chair and Chair of the General Manager Search Committee expressed his delight in Osborne’s appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome such a proven leader to our team, and look forward to what this means for the NL dairy industry as we navigate the future. His vast experience in governance, financial management, and policy development, coupled with a clear, solutions-focused leadership style, makes him the ideal person to market and support fair regulation of milk in our province."
The Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador and the School Milk Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador look forward to a new chapter of growth and success under the guidance of Osborne, leveraging their impressive background in strategic leadership and commitment to community engagement
Dairy Farmers of NL would like to extend its gratitude to the search committee for their time spent working with KBRS Executive Search on this critical hire for the organization.
Tom Osborne will begin his role as General Manager starting on July 8, 2024. Congratulations and welcome to DFNL and SMFNL, Tom.
