I love that I can contribute to the long-term health and viability of our forests while integrating the interests of the local community and creating good jobs. While, at the same time, producing a valuable, useful product. I take pride in the work we do here and love telling anyone who will listen about West Fraser and the amazing opportunities we have.

My career with West Fraser began as an operations summer student in Williams Lake. I spent 3 years as a student there, working 4 and 8-month contracts until graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management from the University of British Columbia. After graduation, I spent the summer working for the Williams Lake division, before being hired full time as a Logging Supervisor at Chetwynd Forest Industries (CFI). I then spent 4 years in operations, serving as Woodlands Safety Coordinator, before moving into a planning role. I have been a Planning Forester for 4 years now, with my focus currently on timber appraisal and cutting permit acquisition.

To me, a working forest means a forest where the biological, cultural, recreational and social needs of society are represented. I work hard to ensure that we are providing the right log, at the right time and the right cost to our mill. However, at the same time, I work diligently to ensure we protect water quality, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and recreation opportunities. I am proud of the work that our team at CFI does to go above and beyond legal requirements. This proactive work helps ensure we can collaborate and work together with rights and stakeholders cooperatively.

Chetwynd Forest Industries is what I think of when I think about the future of Forestry in Interior BC. We have an efficient, top of the line mill, which can create the best value from a log. We also have an ORC which can generate value from our waste, and we have access to a fantastic fibre supply to keep it all running. In addition to a great facility, we have a great woodlands team, led by and comprised of enthusiastic, capable young people, who are forging the future of this company. I think we are heading in the right direction, and I can’t wait to see what opportunities the future holds for this division.

Living in a town like Chetwynd, West Fraser’s saying “make a living, make a life” is very accurate! It’s afforded me the opportunity to build my own house, shop, barn, chicken palace and spa complex on 10 acres 5 minutes from where I work. I know of few other places in this province where a person my age (33) can do all that!

Outside of work, I love learning new skills, making and mending things, though I often joke that my real hobby is any kind of hard work! I enjoy solo carpentry and have built several buildings for both myself and co-workers. My favourite building so far is the 2-storey 24’x30’ barn I built for my wife’s horse, using almost exclusively West Fraser products! I also enjoy working on old vehicles. In addition to carpentry and wrenching, I also enjoy welding and metalwork. Every year I cut up a scrap saw blade to make souvenir sculptures for our summer students to take back to school with them.

- Kit Planning Forester