Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is pleased to announce the election of Ray Ferris, President and CEO of West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., as Chair of its Board of Directors. The election took place on February 10 as part of FPAC’s Annual General Meeting, which was held virtually.
“FPAC is a great association providing needed national leadership for our industry and its people. I am honoured to play a role in the support and advancement of the organization’s work as Chair,” said Ferris. “We have an incredible opportunity to build a lower carbon economy with the help of Canada’s sustainably managed forests and the renewable wood and wood fibre-based products we make. FPAC is committed to working with governments and our partners across the country to ensure our sector delivers on climate action and economic recovery for Canada,” he added.
Ferris and FPAC also noted their appreciation to outgoing Board Chair Kevin Edgson, President and CEO of EACOM Timber Corporation, who ably led the organization for the past two years.
“One of the greatest strengths of this sector is our people. We are fortunate to have a group of volunteers with an abundance of business acumen, a safety-first mentality, and a commitment to world leading environmental performance,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor. “We look forward to working with Ray, our Board, and all our partners to grow opportunity in the sector and bring more Canadian forest products to Canada and the world,” Nighbor added.
Incoming Chairman of the Board –
Ray Ferris, President and CEO, West Fraser Timber Co Ltd.
Ray Ferris joined West Fraser in 1997. He has since held a number of executive positions throughout the company and was appointed President and CEO in 2019. Mr. Ferris is a professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of New Brunswick.
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood,pulp, paper, and wood-based bio-products producers nationally andinternationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industrywith annual revenues exceeding $75B, Canada’s forest products sector is one ofthe country’s largest employers operating in over 600 communities, providing225,000 direct jobs, and over 600,000 indirect jobs across the country.
