Ray Ferris, currently Vice-President, Wood Products, has been appointed Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. Ray will be responsible for the successful implementation of operating strategies. Ray has been with the Company since 1997 in a number of senior roles and has extensive manufacturing experience in the forest products industry.
Chris McIver, currently Vice-President, Lumber Sales and Corporate Development, has been appointed Vice-President, Sales and Marketing and will assume overall responsibility for sales and marketing of lumber, panels and pulp products and for transportation matters.
Sean McLaren, currently Vice-President, U.S. Lumber Operations, has been appointed Vice-President, U.S. Lumber reflecting his greater role in the implementation of strategies and initiatives for our U.S. lumber division.
Brian Balkwill, currently General Manager, Canadian Lumber, has been appointed Vice-President, Canadian Lumber. Brian has been with the Company since 1986 and has held a variety of progressive roles in forestry and manufacturing and holds a degree in forestry.
Keith Carter, currently General Manager, Pulp Operations, has been appointed Vice-President, Pulp and Energy Operations, and will assume the pulp and energy operational responsibilities of Peter Rippon on his retirement. Keith has been with the Company since 2000 and has held a variety of maintenance, engineering and general management responsibilities and holds an engineering degree.
Larry Gardner, currently General Manager, Canadian Woodlands Operations, has been appointed Vice-President, Canadian Woodlands and will assume the Canadian woodlands responsibilities of Dave Lehane on his retirement. Larry has been with the Company since 1980 in a variety of roles including Chief Forester and is a Registered Professional Forester.
Chuck Watkins, currently General Manager, U.S. Lumber Manufacturing, has been appointed Vice-President, U.S. Lumber Manufacturing. Chuck has been in the wood products industry since 2006 and joined us in 2012. He holds an engineering degree.
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.