West Fraser Announces Retirements, Management Changes

West Fraser, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, reports that Peter Rippon, VP, pulp and energy, will retire at the end of April and that Dave Lehane, VP, woodlands, will retire at the end of June. Ray Ferris, currently VP, wood products, has been appointed EVP and COO. Ferris will be responsible for the implementation of operating strategies. He 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 VP, lumber sales and corporate development, has been appointed VP, 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 VP, U.S. lumber operations, has been appointed VP, U.S. lumber, reflecting his greater role in the implementation of strategies and initiatives for the comp[any’s  U.S. lumber division. 

Brian Balkwill, currently GM, Canadian lumber, has been appointed VP, Canadian lumber. He 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 GM, pulp operations, has been appointed VP, pulp and energy operations, and will assume the pulp and energy operational responsibilities of Peter Rippon on his retirement. Carter 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 GM, Canadian woodlands operations, has been appointed VP, Canadian woodlands and will assume the Canadian woodlands responsibilities of Dave Lehane on his retirement. Gardner has been with the company since 1980 in a variety of roles including chief forester and is a registered professional forester.

Chuck Watkins, currently GM, U.S. lumber manufacturing, has been appointed VP, U.S. lumber manufacturing. Watkins has been in the wood products industry since 2006 and joined West Fraser in 2012. He holds an engineering degree.