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Pulp and paper’s future leaders: Meet Andrew Wasik

The future of pulp and paper looks bright.

Armed with a strong work ethic, initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to training and safety, the 2021 winners of our Top 10 Under 40 program are setting the bar for young professionals across the industry in management, operations, maintenance, sales, support and research.

To highlight the achievements of each individual selected for the Top 10 Under 40 list, Pulp & Paper Canada will feature one of 2021’s winners every week for the next 10 weeks. Nominations for the 2022 contest open at the end of the year.

This week, we introduce Andrew Wasik, chief operating officer for Aurel Systems in Vancouver, B.C.

As Andrew Wasik, 37, prepares to take over the family business from his dad, Larry, “he is wearing many hats for our small outfit,” says Renaud Daenzer, manager of mineral processing at Aurel Systems.

As COO, Wasik acts as Aurel’s project manager, business development manager and customer relations manager. He started his career developing software and C++ modules for the company’s CADSIM Plus process simulation program.

“He has developed complete machine room whitewater mass and energy balances for Tembec, a fully functional operator training simulator at West Fraser’s Hinton mill, and helped execute and deliver an array of projects with strict timelines for consultants servicing the pulp and paper industry,” says Daenzer.

Wasik is generous with professional development opportunities, Daenzer says. In addition to sharing his own knowledge with industry at conferences such as PAPTAC’s PaperWeek, Wasik ensures his colleagues have the equipment, software and training they need to succeed. When the pandemic hit, Wasik quickly delivered workstations to the homes of his staff and enabled secure processes so they could do their job remotely.

“Leaders of his nature are few and far between,” says Daenzer of Wasik. “His work ethic and capacity for multitasking is incredible, his communication style is effective and compassionate and above all he is a true family man, displaying the same values to the Aurel Systems family as to his own.”

Up next: we highlight the contributions of winner Mahima Sharma.