b'A NEW DIRECTIONCurtis Pozniak took the reins as the director of the Crop Development Centre last summer. As the CDC marks 50 years in 2021, we sit down with him to chat about his priorities. Marc ZienkiewiczGermination: Thanks for your time, Curtis.CP: Not playing live music! As you know, Last year must have been quite the experienceIm a guitarist and lead vocalist in a local for you, taking over as managing director ofSaskatoon rock band. Since COVID-19 hit, the Crop Development Centre (CDC) duringour gigs have dried up and Ive only been COVID-19. That must have been a real baptismable to practice in my basement. Playing con-by fire. certs on stage was something that I used to channel my creative energy, so not being able Curtis Pozniak: I became director July 1,to play live is something Ive been struggling which was mid-pandemic. Pierre Hucl, ourwith. spring wheat breeder at the CDC, was interim managing director since January and heGermination: Whats your top tip for staying stick-handled the required work plans andfocused in challenging times?safety permits we needed to get field activi-ties going. He did a great job getting us backCP: Prioritize. I think its important to rec-to the field at about 40-50 per cent capac- ognize that in these challenging times, its ity. Were in a situation now where we havenot possible to do everything, so you have finished harvesting our trials and we wereto cut yourself some slack. Pick your battles successful in getting our breeding materi- and dont look back. Running a large breed-als to our contra-season nurseries in Newing and research program during a pandemic Zealand. Its been a challenging time, butpresents its challenges. You have to recognize thanks to Pierres leadership, we were able tothings are different and if you dont achieve get through it. Our technical teams were alsoeverything you hoped, thats OK.critical to this years success despite working under strict safety protocols. Germination: The CDC turns 50 in 2021. In a word, what does that mean to you?Germination: Are you done working withABOUT CURTIS POZNIAKwheat or are you immersed in both manage- CP: Success! The CDC has been a phenom- Age: 45ment and the wheat side? enally productive unit, developing well overRelationship status: Married480 cultivars that have a significant impact CP: The director position represents about 30on western Canadian agriculture. We need toWheat varietiesper cent of my activities. I will still be manag- celebrate these successes, look to the futuredeveloped: 12ing my durum and CPS breeding activitiesand continually define what wed like toManuscripts published: and our associated genetic research. Over theaccomplish. Over 130past 16 years at the CDC, our program hasGuitar of choice:grown, and it was important to me to still beGermination: What are your main priorities? 1963 Fender Stratocasterimmersed in breeding activities. Favorite Song:CP: Three things. First, weve modified ourSummer of 69Germination: Aside from work, whats beenCDC management structure to better achieveFavourite Food:your biggest challenge these past number ofour visionto be leaders and be recognizedPasta of course!months? by producers, partners and scientific peers as JANUARY 2021 GERMINATION.CA 39'