May 31, 2018 – Eight individuals have been honoured by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) for their contributions to the forest sector.
“As the voice of the Canadian forest products sector nationally and internationally, FPAC has developed our Awards of Excellence program to salute those who are making a difference and serve as an inspiration to all of us,” CEO Derek Nighbor, said. “It’s important to recognize the men and women who are among our best and brightest, from those who have spent much of their lives contributing to the forest products sector to our younger rising stars. It is they who are the backbone of our industry.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to recognize a current or former industry member who has made exceptional, sustained and significant contributions to the forest products industry, was presented posthumously to Michael Jordan, director Environment, Energy & Climate Change Policy, Canfor Corporation, Vancouver.
Others recognized were:
FPAC Outstanding Member:
The annual Outstanding Member Award is presented to recognize outstanding members of the Canadian forest products sector who have contributed their time and talents to improve the sector through their leadership, dedication, and vision. Recipients for 2017-2018 were:
• Wendy Crosina, woodlands manager, Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd., Edmonton. Crosina is registered professional forester and registered professional biologist and manages wildlife and ecology issues for Weyerhauser. Over the course of 15 years with the company she has worked on a number of wildlife-related files, including species at risk such as boreal caribou and grizzly bears. She has a keen interest in ensuring ecological values continue to be integrated into forest management practices and establishing the right balance between economics and the environment.
• Pascale Lagacé, vice-president of environment, energy and innovation, Resolute Forest Products, Montreal. As a professional engineer, Lagacé is a passionate leader and a key contributor to FPAC and sector. As chair of Resolute’s corporate carbon commitment and member of the corporate sustainability committee, she has been instrumental in helping Resolute reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 76 per cent over its year-2000 baseline, surpassing its initial target one year ahead of schedule, in 2014. In addition to her work on climate change, she is also responsible for company-wide environmental performance.
FPAC Women in Forestry Award of Excellence:
The Award of Excellence for Women in Forestry is presented to a recipient who has shown leadership and contribution to women in the forest products sector. The recipient for 20-17-2018 is:
• Tanya Wick, vice-president, people and services, Tolko Industries Ltd., Vernon, B.C. As the first female executive in Tolko Industries’ history, Wick has seen her role expand from vice-president, human resources to vice-president, people and services. She partners with executive leadership and the board of directors to shape and execute the organization’s strategic direction. Her leadership expertise spans a wide range of operational functions, including human resources, payroll, procurement, administration and communications. Described as someone who “ups everyone’s game,” Wick is blazing trails in the forest industry by executing a youth initiative and women’s strategy to promote greater participation of these key demographics.
FPAC Rising Star:
The Rising Star Award is presented to recognize young women and men in the industry who bring passion and pride to their work every day, and are making a unique contribution to their workplace. Recipient of the 2017-2018 award is:
• Matthew Buxton, mechanical technologist, Canfor Pulp Ltd., Prince George, B.C. For Buxton, the forest industry is in his blood, having spent his first year living on a sawmill site near Prince George and coming from a family of many generations that relied on the forest industry for work. His interest in the intricacies of machines also began at an early age when at the age of 14 he worked as a machinist helper in the maintenance shop of a sawmill where his father, mother, grandfather and uncle were all long-term employees. Following completion of the mechanical technologist program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, he spent nine years working in robotics and cutting-edge technology, holding several roles in the offshore oil industry, which took him all over the world. His time away from home and his roots highlighted his appreciation for Canada and the forest industry which resulted in his return to Prince George in 2015 when he joined Canfor Pulp as a mechanical area engineer at the company’s Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill. Today in his role of mechanical technologist, he strives to bring a critical eye to all areas under his responsibility with a focus on the plant and company’s success but also on continuous improvement in all areas.
FPAC Innovation Award:
The Innovation Award is presented to recognize an individual who has shown leadership in innovation. Innovation is key in expanding the industry’s viability in rural and northern communities. Innovative projects that make mills more competitive, products greener or improves market diversification will support the sector’s growth for years to come. Recipient of the 2017-2018 award is:
• Dale Holloway, mill manager, Millar Western, Whitecourt, Alta. Holloway is a chemical engineer who for more than 20 years has worked in senior roles at a number of pulp and paper facilities in Western Canada. He first worked as a process engineer at a pulp mill in Chetwynd, B.C. and advanced through a number of positions, culminating with the role of technical and engineering manager. His career next took him to Abitibi-Consolidated’s newsprint mill in Mackenzie, B.C., where he was appointed technical manager and subsequently stepped into the position of paper manager. In 2006, he was made operations manager of Millar Western’s Whitecourt Pulp Division and in 2018 he assumed his current role of mill manager, Whitecourt Pulp Division.
Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth:
The Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth is presented in collaboration with the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM), to two individuals who exemplify the qualities of strong academic standing, commitment to the revitalized forest products industry, and a demonstrated commitment to the Aboriginal community. The recipients for 2018 were:
• Danielle Patzer, Manitoba Metis Federation. Patzer grew up in the Northwest Territories and worked for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a forest technician. In this role, she spent four months tenting below the tree line, travelling and working with local individuals to revisit plots that had been established 10 to 15 years prior and gather data on the trees, shrubs, herbs, bryoids and lichen. She valued her experience working in the Northwest Territories, emptying and setting fish nets every day, hunting moose and caribou, and having no showers, toilets, running water, or cell service. She believes that the north has unique perspectives, opportunities and knowledge to offer about the land and to the industry. Upon her graduation, she hopes to return home to work there in the field.
• Aaron Jones, Garden River First Nation, Ont. Jones is currently in his second year at Sault College studying natural environment technology. This summer he will work with the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry as an assistant resource management technician, assisting with a study on regrowth after logging operations. He has also been a cave guide and kayak guide, helping to educate others about coastal rainforest ecosystems and the large trees that occupy them. He plans to pursue a career in the forest sector after he receives his diploma next year. Jones moved back to the Garden River First Nations Reserve in 2016 to live close to his family and to live on his family’s traditional land. He is committed to his community and to looking after the natural environment on his reserve, participating in culturally valuable hunting trips with his family and community, maintaining hiking trails, trapping, and carrying out select cut logging for cedar trees. He says his family has been logging for as long as anyone can remember and he is now looking after the traditional cedar swamp that his family has always logged in.
Aboriginal Business Leadership Award:
The FPAC Aboriginal Business Leadership Award is presented in collaboration with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) to recognize and celebrate First Nations entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business and exemplifies business leadership, exceptional environmental and safety performance and the delivery of high-quality products and services. Recipient of the award is:
• Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC). SDC is the culmination of the Splatsin Indian Band’s goal of establishing and running profitable businesses and building capacity within the community. SDC is a multi-disciplinary company with three separate specialties of work: construction, natural resource management and investment. The name of the natural resource management company, Yucwmenlúcwu, means “Caretakers of the Land.” As a cultural and natural resource management company, it provides a complete range of environmental, archaeology, and forestry services. With culture and connection to the land as a guide, SDC balances conservation and economic development through innovative and practical solutions. SDC has a highly skilled team of professionals and certified technicians, as well as a number of industry-leading firms as partners to manage and deliver government, industry and private sector projects from concept to completion with the highest level of standards at every stage. SDC’s services include environmental planning and management, fisheries and aquatic ecology, wildlife and terrestrial ecology, water quality and quantity, archeology and forestry.
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