What year did you graduate and from which program?
I received my Bachelor of Science in Forestry (Forest Management Major)in 1979.
Where did you grow up?
Vancouver
When did you know you wanted to go into Forestry and what drove you in that direction?
At an early age I had a strong interest in nature and building things. My older brother was a commercial fisherman, and while visiting him in Kyuquot, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, I realized I wanted to do something related to the natural bounty we have in BC. Fishing for a living was not my calling, because of seasickness, but trees and lumber looked pretty interesting to me.
What brought you to UBC’s Faculty of Forestry?
While attending John Oliver High School, some UBC Forestry students (I remember Bob Cavill, BSF’72, was one of them) gave a Career Day presentation. I was impressed with what they had to say about the school and forestry and it seemed like the right path for me.
What was your first job after graduation and/or your first Forestry job?
I was hired by BC Forest Products Limited in their Resource Planning Group as a Special Projects Forester. My specialty at that time was forest soils. It was during that time I worked on a forest ecology project with Dr. Karel Klinka (PhD’76 and UBC Forestry Professor Emeritus) and helped develop the first tree species selection guide book. It was new thinking at that time, and it really expanded my perspective about forest ecosystems.
What are you doing now and how did you end up there?
I am the Vice President and Chief Forester at Interfor. I have worked in the forest industry for 34 years, and have held various roles in resource planning, operations and now at the corporate level. My tenure at Interfor started in 1992 when they bought the coastal assets of Fletcher Challenge, where I was working, and asked me to move from Campbell River to Vancouver. I like new challenges and Interfor has been a great company to work for in that respect. The company is focused on building value and has changed dramatically over the years, becoming a leading global supplier of softwood lumber. Most recently I have also taken on a temporary part-time role as Interim President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. It has been a great learning experience and I expect there will be more changes ahead.
What is your fondest memory of your time at UBC?
There was great camaraderie within our forestry class, both in learning and having fun. I spent most of my time with the class of ‘78 until I took a year out to work and travel to Costa Rica. I have a lot of good memories of people from school and summer jobs. The most unique summer job experience was working for Dr. Tim Ballard (UBC Forestry/Land and Food Systems Emeritus Professor) doing a soil and vegetation survey of Klahanie National Park in the Yukon. The best summer job memory was meeting my future wife while I was working on a forest site productivity study on Vancouver Island.
If you weren’t working where you are now, what profession would you most like to try?
I am fascinated by marketing, and it would probably be something to do with wood or bio products, as they have such a compelling story for why they are good for people and the environment.
What is the toughest business or professional decision you’ve had to make?
Early in my career, during the 80’s, while working for a different company, I believed that a development plan in an already heavily logged watershed was not professionally sound. I had to explain to my employer why I would not approve the site prescription. It really wasn’t a tough decision because it was the right thing to do, but I was uncertain what might happen next as I was not aware of anyone doing that before. My most taxing challenge, however, was dealing with the environmental issues during the “war in the woods”. I knew that decisions made during this period would have profound impact on peoples’ lives, and would result in world leading sustainable forestry practices.
What are you most proud of looking back at your career so far?
I believe that I have strived to add value to everything I do! My core values of personal integrity, treating people with respect and a strong desire to get things done has given me a sense of accomplishment for the various challenges that have come my way.
What does being a UBC Forestry alumni mean to you?
It represents a sense of community among people with similar values.
Do you have any advice for students currently in Forestry or recent graduates just entering into the work force?
I think that the forest sector in BC has an opportunity to become the world’s supplier of choice for climate friendly forest products and services. Forestry and forest products can do so many good things for people, and in my view is a sector worth pursuing with a grand vision for greatness.
From Branchlines Fall 2013