CRFA names Garth Whyte as new CEO

May 22, 2009, TORONTO – Garth Whyte has been appointed president and CEO of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, effective June 15.

Whyte is currently executive vice president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Since joining CFIB in 1986, he has held several senior positions involving government affairs, strategy development, membership and operations. Earlier this year Whyte was identified as one of Ottawa’s top lobbyists by the parliamentary affairs journal, The Hill Times.

With more than 25 years of experience developing a broad range of government and business policies, Whyte is a recognized business leader. He has made hundreds of presentations to municipal, provincial and federal governments and served on numerous advisory committees including the Canadian Border Services Agency, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Employment Insurance Employers’ Committee.

“Garth is recognized and respected by politicians, business owners and the media as a leader in the business community,” says CRFA board chairman Brenda O’Reilly. “I’m very pleased that we have been able to recruit such a high calibre individual to lead CRFA in advancing the interests of Canada’s foodservice industry.”

Whyte is a graduate of Carleton University, where he earned an Honours B.A. and an M.A. in Public Administration. He assumes leadership of the CRFA from outgoing President Douglas Needham, who announced late last year that he would be leaving the CRFA in June 2009, after more than 26 years as CEO.

CRFA is one of Canada’s largest business associations, with 33,000 members representing independent and chain restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers. Canada’s $60 billion foodservice industry employs more than 1 million people in communities across the country.