ABOUT US
The Buffalo Creek Mills Story
Buffalo Creek Mills was born from the desire to make a positive impact within the community of Altona, Manitoba, serving its local producers and customers. Not only do we know the oat farmers in the area, but we have developed and fostered relationships with many local and national buyers as well.
To this day, we are in the thick of oat production. We continuously get to know all our local oat producers—the ins and outs of their processes, the exact specifications of what they need, or simply how their day is going. Today, we have extended our lines of communication to various international food producers around the world, able to ensure their specific food needs are met. With our state-of-the-art facility, we have the flexibility to customize our stabilized oats to whatever specifications they may need.
Behind all the oat products that sit on the shelves of your local grocery, there are the people that made it all possible. That’s why when you work with Buffalo Creek Mills, you’re more than just a customer; you’re our partner. We serve you in whatever way we can. Buffalo Creek Mills prides itself on being able to deliver customized yet consistent oats, and as part of our process, we make sure to establish a working partnership with you.
These collaborative relationships have been the focus of Buffalo Creek Mills since the beginning and continue to define how we do business.
OUR VALUES
From day one Buffalo Creek has held these four core values. The food we make is good and we take no shortcuts in doing so along the way. We’re proud of what we believe in.
Life is better with friends
Every workday is an opportunity to build a positive relationship that is treasured and long-lasting, which is why we partner with the people we do.
Our food is good food
The only food we make is the food we’d be proud to serve to our friends.
Hands are made for helping
We enjoy working hard together, but more importantly, we enjoy working for each other.
Community is important
We are part of a community that cares for each other, that works together to build a brighter tomorrow.
Key Team Members
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Ron Opocensky
Oat Purchaser
As the Oat Purchaser, Ron brings over 25 years of grain buying experience, industry knowledge, and strong producer relationships. He handles raw oat procurement, byproduct sales, and truck scheduling, playing a crucial role in maintaining a high-quality and reliable oat supply for our operations.
Mike Friesen
Quality Assurance Manager
As Quality Assurance Manager, Mike ensures the company's adherence to Food Safety practices and certifications. He oversees quality control processes, develops and implements systems, conducts audits, and addresses regulatory compliance. Mike also monitors product quality and handles customer complaints and issues.
Sam Winkler
Corporate Controller
As our Corporate Controller, Sam oversees the company's financial health, ensures compliance with accounting principles and regulations, identifies internal controls, manages budgeting and forecasting, analyzes financial data, and provides strategic insights. He also handles daily economic activities, accounts payable, and receivable, playing a vital role in optimizing financial performance.
Phil Carriere
Director of Operations
With over 25 years of experience in the food industry, Phil is responsible for overlooking the entirety of Buffalo Creek Mills operations. This includes the management of our raw grain, milling, packaging, warehousing, shipping, and maintenance departments. Phil takes pride in his ability to cultivate and guide high-performance teams, aiming to not only meet but surpass daily production targets.
Ryan Meade
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Ryan oversees daily operations and strategic goals, leveraging over 25 years of experience in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing to support the company's growth. He guides the leadership team, implements the organization's vision, and sets goals for Buffalo Creek Mills' continued success and growth.
Meaghan Fehr
Director of People, Process and Marketing
As the Director of People, Process, and Marketing, Meaghan optimizes operations, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration in Human Resources. She spearheads process efficiency and industry best practices while strengthening our brand identity through strategic marketing. Her focus remains on driving continuous improvement and contributing to long-term company growth.
Ignacio Ledesma
Sales Representative
Ignacio plays a crucial role as the Sales Representative for Buffalo Creek Mills, where he excels in nurturing meaningful customer relationships and stands as the key point of contact for the company. In his capacity as our Sales Representative, Ignacio actively engages with customers throughout the sales process, addressing inquiries and offering detailed product information.
Key Team Members
Get In Touch With The Person You Need! Can’t Find Who You’re Looking For? Contact Us
Ryan Meade
Chief Executive Officer
In his role as CEO, Ryan is responsible for the organization’s daily operations and strategic goals. With over 25-years of experience in the food and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to support the company’s growth and development. Ryan is tasked with guiding the leadership team, implementing the organization’s vision, and setting goals and objectives to continue the growth of Buffalo Creek Mills.
Meaghan Fehr
Human Resources & Office Manager
As the Human Resources & Office Manager at Buffalo Creek Mills, her role involves managing all aspects of human resources and overseeing the day-to-day activities of the office. Meaghan is considered the primary point of contact when our CEO is unavailable. With her broad knowledge of the industry, Meaghan can apply her skills to a wide range of activities within the company. Meaghan holds previous experience in both the banking and agriculture industries.
Igancio Ledesma
Sales Representative
Ignacio plays a crucial role as the Sales Representative for Buffalo Creek Mills, where he excels in nurturing meaningful customer relationships and stands as the key point of contact for the company. In his capacity as our Sales Representative, Ignacio actively engages with customers throughout the sales process, addressing inquiries and offering detailed product information.
Ron Opocensky
Oat Purchaser
Ron has been the oat buyer at Buffalo Creek Mills since 2017 and brings with him more than 28 years of experience in grain buying. In his role at Buffalo Creek Mills, Ron is accountable for purchasing, scheduling, and selling the by-products of oats. He obtained his agriculture diploma from the University of Manitoba and has since built a successful career in commodity purchasing, sales, and agriculture.
Phil Cariere
Director of Operations
With over 25 years of experience in the food industry, Phil is responsible for overlooking the entirety of Buffalo Creek Mills operations. This includes the management of our raw grain, milling, packaging, warehousing, shipping, and maintenance departments. Phil takes pride in his ability to cultivate and guide high-performance teams, aiming to not only meet but surpass daily production targets.
Mike Friesen
Quality Assurance Manager
Mike is the Quality Assurance manager at Buffalo Creek Mills, in his role, Mike is responsible for ensuring the compliance of our Food Safety and Quality Management Programs with the requirements of governing bodies. He works closely with these authorities to guarantee that our processes and products consistently meet the required standards and quality. Mike possesses a Certificate in Management from the University of Manitoba and has a solid background in agriculture.
Sam Winkler
Corporate Controller
In his role as our Corporate Controller, Sam is responsible for supervising the company’s daily accounting tasks, including payroll, financial reporting, and financial analysis. He holds a Diploma in Business and Administration from Red River College and an Advanced Certificate in Accounting & Finance from the Chartered Professional Accountants Administration. In addition, Sam has over a decade of experience in the business administration and accounting fields.