UGI Board of Directors

Gary Sorenson, who was raised in Alberta, has been in the grocery business for over 35 years. Gary’s experience includes working at Loblaws, Penner Foods, Oshawa Group in Calgary and most recently, Thrifty Foods in Vancouver, leaving there in 2010 to join H.Y. Louie Co. Limited as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer and now is currently the President and Chief Operating Officer of Georgia Main Food Group Limited.

Rick Fernandes is the Vice-President Consumer Products for Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL). He joined FCL in May 2023.

In this role, Rick contributes to the strategic direction and management of FCL, and collaboratively leads both the Food and Home and Building Solutions business lines. He is focused on evolving the Consumer Products business to maximize value for the Co-operative Retailing System.

Rick has extensive experience driving results in the highly competitive retail and food distribution industries at Loblaw and Sobeys. Throughout his career, Rick has become known for consistently exceeding targets, leading positive change, and building high performing teams. He has a reputation for working collaboratively with colleagues, vendors and being customer centric.

Prior to joining FCL, Rick spent over 28 years working with some of the largest retail food organizations in Canada. This has included serving as Vice President, Multicultural Merchandising with Loblaw, Director of True Foods & Kindred Farmers Division with Grand Valley Fortifiers, Senior Category Director with Loblaw and as Category Manager and many various roles in supply chain, merchandising, Operations and procurement with Sobeys. Rick has also led the Inclusion and Diversity team at Loblaws.

Rick studied Business Administration in Accounting at Conestoga College in Kitchener, ON.

Rick and his wife Jen have four children.

Neil Rossy is a member of the Board of Directors of Dollarama Inc. since 2004 and serves as its President and Chief Executive Officer since May 1, 2016. Prior to being appointed to this office by the Board of Directors, he had served as Chief Merchandising Officer of Dollarama since 2010. With the company since its inception in 1992, he has been involved in all aspects of Dollarama’s business, supply chain and day-to-day operations. Over the last two decades, Neil Rossy has played an increasingly important role in strategic decisions related to warehousing and distribution, direct sourcing, brand identity, product development and merchandising innovations that define Dollarama and underpin its success. He is a graduate of Queen’s University.

Mike is the Chairman of Freson Bros. Fresh Market and President of Altamart Investments (1993) Ltd. He is the past Chair of the Independent Retail Grocers of Alberta, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and most pleased to be the Chair of the ‘Kids with Cancer Society.’ Mike is a board member of United Grocers inc (UGI)

Dave has more than 25 years of experience in Operations, Marketing, Merchandising, Logistics, and Food Service. During that time he started in convenience as a store owner/operator, then worked for ten years with the 7-Eleven organization in various roles as Field Consultant, Market Manager, and Logistics Manager. Following that David is now in his tenth year with Couche-Tard and has enjoyed the roles of Regional Director of Operations, Director of Merchandising and Marketing and now Director of Procurement for Canada where he leads contract negotiations nationwide.

Dave is an experienced leader known for his passion for the industry and winning through mutual success with his partners looking for innovative ways to adapt to changing consumer trends and needs.

Michael Coleman is Vice President of Procurement, Wholesale and Distribution Operations at the Coleman Group. Mike joined the Company in 1976 and, since then, has occupied a number of increasingly responsible positions to his current senior executive role. His skilled leadership, grounded in rich experience, an inspiring work ethic and a fierce commitment to delivering to his team so that they can deliver to our guests, reveals his impressive command of the dynamics of the food industry; the financial metrics, category management, the criticality of the right mix of product, and, timely and reliable execution. Under Mike’s leadership, Colemans has successfully adapted to a constantly evolving marketplace. He is an experienced negotiator who well understands that forging and sustaining complex relationships are fundamental to the success of an independent enterprise.

Mike is highly respected by all with whom he interacts. His active engagement in the Canadian grocery industry is long standing. He is a past chair of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, sits on the board of CFIG’s Distribution Council and is a board member of United Grocers Inc., one of Canada’s largest grocery buying groups. Mike studied Business Administration at St. Mary’s University.

David joined The North West Company in 2000. From 2000-2007, he held various management positions including Senior Category Manager and Director, within the procurement and marketing division.

In 2007 David was promoted to Vice President of Marketing for the Alaska Commercial Company. Prior to joining NWC, David spent 10 years with Zellers of the Hudson Bay Company in different capacities including operations as a store manager, and in the procurement department as a senior buyer. David holds a Masters of business administration from the University of Stirling. In 2017, David was named Vice President, Canadian Sales & Operations, Northern Canada Retail, NorthMart/Major Markets Division.

Born and raised in Victoria BC and involved in the business as an owner for 37 years working in various roles. He has been past Chair of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.

James is a high energy, innovative, motivated leader and team player. With a strong record of leadership in professional environments, the ability to analyse and negotiate to make effective decisions, an aptitude for learning and understanding and the ability to lead and motivate employees and peers.

He is responsible for a dynamic team including convenience category management, car wash, price book, new to market commercialization of strategic initiatives as well as logistics and merchandising support for Parkland’s Canadian convenience store business.

In September 2000, Mr. Albert Falardeau was appointed President of Familiprix. He is also the company’s Chairman of the Board.

A pharmacist by profession for almost 50 years, Mr. Falardeau has owned several pharmacies in the Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-Saint-Laurent administrative regions, among others. Today, as owner of the Saint-Paul-de-Montminy pharmacy, he continues to serve the local population as a pharmacist.

Mr. Albert Falardeau holds a degree in Health Sciences from Université Laval.

As a founding member of Familiprix Inc., Mr. Albert Falardeau puts all his skills and seasoned know-how to foster Familiprix’s growth. In 2009, the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada awarded him the prestigious Len Marks Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of pharmacy. In 2016, Mr. Falardeau received the Outstanding Career Achievement Award at the Community Pharmacy Awards Gala for his leadership, ability to innovate, effective management, integrity and commitment.

Very involved in the business community, Mr. Albert Falardeau is a member of the ABCPQ (Association des bannières et chaînes de pharmacies du Québec), President of the AQDP (Association québécoise des distributeurs en pharmacie) and a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Québec. Since 2000, he has been deeply involved in the cause of sick children with Opération Enfant Soleil.

Familiprix inc. is a group of 433 independent pharmacist-owners across Québec and New Brunswick, and is a leader in the retail pharmaceutical sector.