Apr. 19, 2018 – West Fraser announced today its senior leadership transition plan. Ted Seraphim plans to retire as chief executive officer at the end of the second quarter of 2019, and Ray Ferris, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, has been appointed president and chief operating officer effective immediately. West Fraser says he will be appointed chief executive officer upon Seraphim’s retirement next year.
“This is an important step in the implementation of our CEO succession plan. Ray has worked closely with Ted for many years and has demonstrated tremendous leadership in executing our operating and capital plans,” said Hank Ketcham, chairman of the Board of Directors.
Ferris has been with the company since 1997 and has progressed through a series of leadership roles. He was appointed West Fraser’s executive vice-president and COO in 2016 and before that served in several executive positions including as VP Wood Products, VP Solid Wood and VP Lumber Operations. He holds an engineering degree and has extensive manufacturing experience in the forest industry, describes the company.
“His leadership, experience and proven commitment to people, safety, operational excellence and maintaining our culture will continue to drive our Company forward. I know that I speak on behalf of all our employees in saying how pleased we are that Ray will be our next CEO,” added Seraphim.
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company producing lumber, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, newsprint, wood chips and energy with facilities in western Canada and the southern United States.
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