b'SERENDIPITY EFFECTThe outgoing executive director of the Canadian Seed Growers Association reveals what he says is the secret to prosperity and success for our seed sector in a bold new marketplace. Marc ZienkiewiczFIVE YEARS AGO, Glyn Chancey was hired to be the execu-tive director of the Canadian Seed Growers Association. He brought to CSGA a wealth of experience in various government positions.He stepped into CSGA at a time of major change in the seed sector. Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) of seed crop inspection was beginning, as was the Seed Synergy conversationan effort to develop a common vision for the seed sector. This year, the sectors five national seed associations decided to endorse amalgamation to form a National Seed Organization (NSO).Known as Seeds Canada, the NSO agreement was offi-cially announced in June 2020. After much hard work to help make it a reality, Chancey will depart CSGA effective Feb. 1, 2021. We sat down with him to talk about why he didnt think hed get the job back in 2015, how CSGA staff and board helped make him successful in his role, and why he thinks becoming part of Seeds Canada is a good move for seed growers.What made early next year the right time for you to depart as CSGA executive director?CSGAs expectations, as recently as March 2020, were that the amalgamation process would run well into 2021, and I would need to stick around until then. However, negotia-tions took a positive turn in April and May, and a summer 2020 vote suddenly seemed within reach. So, I had a discussion with my board, and we agreed that it was the right time for me to go, whether the amalgamation went through or not. CSGA staff competencies and leadership potential had matured to the point where flight risk was real and concerning. Ultimately, to retain good staff who are constantly in demand elsewhere, you have to offer them a path forward. We said, Now is the time to pass the torch. The next generation of leaders are ready, so lets not delay.34GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2020'