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Dr. Ron Bitner brings to IPS more than 36 years experience with non-apis bee biology and with large scale pollination management programs. His doctoral thesis, Ecological Management of the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee, Megachile rotundata, is the basis of the IPS multi-generation management system, which allows for extended usage of the leafcutting bee during a single season.
His close relationship as a consultant to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. gives IPS access to a company that produces seed globally. Dr. Bitner is a past President of the Northwest Alfalfa Seed Growers Association and technical advisor to the Idaho Alfalfa Seed Commission. He works closely with several agriculture leadership programs, helping to bring to the grower community a new sense of professionalism.
Lee and Paul Gregory of Fisher Branch, Manitoba, bring hands-on experience to IPS. They manage Interlake Forage Seeds (IFS), a company that produces, contracts and internationally markets a wide range of proprietary and public variety forage seeds. The company has its own production base of over 2400 acres and then contracts for another 750 acres of production. In addition to the seed production enterprise, they manage Interlake Honey Producers (IHP), a honey production and marketing company that exports up to 200 tonnes (annually) of honey and honey products. Internationally, Kwest (quest) Inc., the operating company for IFS and IHP, maintains the administrative functions for these two companies as well as for International Pollination Systems. In addition, Kwest, Inc., through a recognized research arm of the company, devotes a portion of its annual budget to the research and development of many of the crops and products it produces.
Lee and Paul Gregory graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1978 and 1979 with Bachelors in Agri-Business Management and Basic Agricultural Sciences, respectively. This educational background, together with the practical experience gained in the co-management of the companies they founded after the completion of their degrees, provides the solid business base of the company. Experience and education give them a practical blend of how to get things done. Kathy Gregory (Lee’s wife) performs the accounting and office management functions for IPS and Kwest. Kathy applies her expert skills to accounting and business organization for the company. Anita Gregory (Paul’s wife), Chairman of the Board of Kwest, Inc., brings personnel and organizational skills to IPS to keep the operation focused and sustainable.
Dr. Steve Peterson, of Visalia, California, has been a vital part of International Pollination Systems as senior consultant since 1995. Steve received his Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin, where he worked on integrated pest management of birdsfoot trefoil seed production. Steve worked on his Post Doctorate at the University of Idaho in several areas of leafcutting bee management. Steve has worked closely with IPS in California, providing research and pollination services to alfalfa seed producers. As the need for alternative pollinators becomes more urgent, IPS anticipates further development of solitary bees on other crops in California.
Dwight Nahuliak, of Fisher Branch Manitoba, joined the International Pollination Systems team in 1995 as the Manager of Canadian Operations. Dwight had experience in the leafcutting bee operations in California and Idaho and was brought on board to provide year-round contact in leafcutting bee purchases and sales, pollination services and marketing of a full line of leafcutting bee nesting materials. Dwight’s extensive leafcutting bee list of producer’s throughout Canada allows IPS to source only the highest quality bees for its customers.
Dwight can be reached at 1-800-990-1390