Sep 09, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. President and CEO Richard Huff announced his retirement. In his place the Board of Directors of Ainsworth has appointed Jim Lake, currently Vice President, Operations as President and COO. In this position he will be responsible for all of the business and operations of Ainsworth and will report directly to the Board of Directors, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. "We would like to thank Rick for leading the operational restructuring of Ainsworth over the past two years and wish him well in his retirement," said Peter Gordon, Chairman of the Board. "Ainsworth remains well positioned for the market recovery in North America and we continue to pursue promising opportunities in Asian markets." Jim Lake joined Ainsworth as Vice President of Operations in June 2010 and since that time has led a significant improvement in operating performance at the Company's mills. When he joined the Company, he brought over 25 years of industry experience having held the position of Vice President Operations at Grant Forest Products and prior to that, Vice President Manufacturing at Louisiana Pacific Corp.