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Fortress Paper’s Wasilenkoff named Entrepreneur Of The Year for Pacific region

Chad Wasilenkoff of Fortress Paper Ltd. has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year for the…

Chad Wasilenkoff of Fortress Paper Ltd. has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year for the Pacific region.

“Chad is a shining example of how our British Columbia entrepreneurs are demonstrating they’re not afraid of the shake-up of an economic downturn,” said Fred Withers, director of Entrepreneur Of The Year for the Pacific region. “Instead, Chad saw an opportunity to up the competitive ante by focusing on innovation, enhancing Fortress’ presence in new markets, and ultimately emerging stronger than ever before.”

Fortress evolved from Wasilenkoff’s impeccable sense of timing and fearless ambition. Since founding the company in 2006, he has led Fortress to become a leading provider of specialty and security papers. Most recently, Fortress Paper purchased a pulp mill in Thurso, Que., and has plans to convert the facility to produce dissolving pulp.

Wasilenkoff has successfully been able to combine his unique ability to identify untapped market opportunities with an innate entrepreneurial mindset focused on growth. In just four years, he has taken Fortress from its inception to a company with more than $200 million in sales. His continuous ability to innovate has led to the development of internationally recognized features in the security industry, reports Ernst & Young.

 At the age of 38, Chad has already become an established entrepreneur with extensive capital markets experience in the resources sector. He currently serves as a director with various publicly listed companies. His passion is not limited to his business aspirations; he is also a proud donor and host to numerous charity events, including the Heart & Stroke Foundation and BC Cancer Foundation. 

As the Pacific region’s 2010 Entrepreneur Of The Year, Wasilenkoff will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Prairies, Ontario, Québec and Atlantic region for the national honour of Canada’s Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010. The national award will be presented on November 17 in Toronto.