Meet our Executive Team
Experienced, approachable, and committed to excellence, our executive leaders bring diverse expertise and a shared focus on supporting our people and organizational goals. Together, they drive our organization forward while fostering a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.
Kent Affleck
Chief Executive Officer
Kent Affleck is the Chief Executive Officer of MobilGrain Ltd. and a member of the company’s founding startup team established in 2005. He is responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance and continued growth of MobilGrain’s assets, comprised of shortline railways, grain handling facilities, a port facility and inland container terminal.
Prior to joining MobilGrain, Kent held management roles in the grains and special crops processing and export sector, where he developed extensive expertise in logistics, operations, and international trade.
Since MobilGrain’s inception, Kent has overseen all aspects of the company’s operations, including plant management, terminal development across rail, intermodal, and marine infrastructure, railway maintenance, and train operations. His leadership has consistently emphasized safety, operational efficiency, and strong regulatory compliance.
Following the sale of the MobilGrain family business to AGT Food and Ingredients in 2015, Kent continued to lead operations and asset management for Murad Al-Katib, supporting the continued development and expansion of the MobilGrain logistics network.
In 2020, Kent was promoted to Division Head of MobilGrain. In January 2025, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer following the acquisition of MobilGrain, its railways, intermodal terminal, Thunder Bay port shipping terminal, and bulk grain handling assets by GCM Grosvenor and Bluejay Capital.
With more than two decades of leadership experience, Kent has built a strong reputation for driving complex, multi-faceted logistics and infrastructure operations. He is recognized for developing innovative solutions to large-scale transportation and supply chain challenges across Canada’s grain export corridor.
Russ Highwo
Chief Financial Officer
Russ Highwo was appointed Chief Financial Officer in November, 2025, based in Vancouver. His responsibilities at Mobil Grain include Financial Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Acquisitions, Safety, and Human Resources.
Prior to joining Mobil Grain, Russ held positions as CFO, Vice-President Finance, and General Manager of a major Canadian Construction company and at one of Western Canada’s largest commercial printing companies.
Russ is a CPA, CMA, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University and an MBA from the University of British Columbia.
Jay Roberts
Vice President of Development
Jay Roberts was appointed Vice President, Business Development in October 2025. In this role, he leads the company’s commercial organization, advancing business development initiatives and steering the overall commercial strategy and execution.
With more than 25 years of international leadership experience at CN Rail, BC Rail, and Canada Steamship Lines, Jay brings a deep understanding of complex, high‑performance transportation and logistics operations. His background spans engineering, mechanical and field operations, sales and marketing, customer service, and network operations. A qualified locomotive engineer, Jay leads by example—equally at home closing strategic deals in the boardroom or working alongside teams in the field.
Jay is known for fostering innovative, scalable solutions that anticipate and address the evolving needs of customers and supply chain partners. His strategic approach focuses on building strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders to drive sustainable growth, operational precision, and organizational excellence.
Jay holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of British Columbia.
Mike Brown
Vice President of Operations
Mike Brown was appointed Vice President of Operations at Mobil Grain in November 2025 and is based out of the company’s central Delisle location. In this role, he oversees Mobil Grain’s logistics, mechanical, and engineering departments, supporting operational performance, infrastructure development, and the company’s long-term service commitments.
Mike brings more than 15 years of experience across manufacturing, logistics, transportation, procurement, engineering support, and operations management. His broad operational background has provided him with extensive experience leading teams, managing complex projects, and driving performance across multiple areas of business operations.
Originally from a small Saskatchewan town with a strong farming background, Mike moved to the Saskatoon area in 2001. He joined Mobil Grain in 2018 as a Project Coordinator in Delisle and quickly advanced into a leadership role overseeing major civil and construction projects. His leadership has supported several significant initiatives, including the company’s five-year rail stabilization program and the development of Mobil Grain’s 1,200 MT/hour Mega Cleaning Facility in Delisle.
Mike is known for his hands-on leadership style, operational knowledge, and ability to manage large-scale projects in demanding environments. He is committed to building strong teams, maintaining operational discipline, and driving continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.
Gerald Guest
Director of Efficiency and Aggregate/Storage
Jerry Guest was appointed Director of Efficiency & Aggregate in July 2025. In this role, he leads the company’s efficiency and aggregate initiatives, ensuring MobilGrain continues to unlock rail capacity and move what matters.
With over 40 years of railway experience and a comprehensive understanding of operations and team leadership across Western Canada, Jerry brings deep, hands-on knowledge of how railways and their teams operate.
He began his career as a labourer with track forces in New Brunswick before advancing to conductor and Locomotive Engineer roles in Western Canada. In 1999, Jerry moved into leadership at Walker Yard in Edmonton, AB. Throughout his career, he has taken on increasing responsibility, serving as Supervisor, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent.
Jerry’s extensive operational experience managing high volumes across the Prairies has enabled him to build strong, accountable teams while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and service reliability.