Robert A. McRae

As the Chief Operating Officer at Semex, a Canadian-based bovine genetic solutions company, Robert is responsible for the global farm operations, semen and embryo laboratories, customer service distribution functions, and research and development.  Semex operates three bull housing and semen production centres in Canada, in addition to centres in Hungary, Brazil and China.  It also operates In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Embryo laboratories in Canada and the United States with donor and recipient cow farms in Canada.  Semex exports bovine semen and embryos to over 80 countries around the world.

Prior to joining Semex, Robert was the Finance and Operations Manager at Eastern Breeders Inc, a Semex Partner company that provided bull housing, semen production, and Artificial Insemination (AI) services in Eastern Ontario and the Maritimes.

Prior to working in the agriculture sector, Robert was the Corporate Controller at Zarlink Semiconductor Inc., an international high-tech company, traded on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.  Robert was responsible for the financial accounting and reporting requirement of this Canadian-based company, spending time between the Canadian head-office and its operations in Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Singapore.

Robert’s professional accounting career began with Doane Raymond, Grant Thornton, and BDO Dunwoody, where he worked in audit and assurance services as well as business valuation and litigation support.

Robert received his Chartered Accounting (CA) designation following studies at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Robert is an active runner, and enjoys racing distances from 1500m to the Marathon.