Speakers and Presenters
KEYNOTER: Neil Godin
Neil Godin (a.k.a. The Turnaround Guy) is one of North America's leading business
speakers, trainers and writers. As a conference speaker has addressed more than
300,000 people from coast to coast. As a trainer and speaker he has worked with
numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Ford, Shell, KPMG, RBC/Royal Bank, and Telus.
Neil has worked with secondary wood manufacturing companies to jumpstart their
sales and gain market share. His conference keynote address “How to Start Your
Own Recovery—NOW!” will get delegates motivated and off to a rousing start. Neil
will also put his skills as a seminar leader to work with two workshops on
“Recession-Proof Marketing”.
Brian Ehrecke, Industry Advisor, FPInnovations
Vancouver, BC
Brian Ehrecke works with kitchen cabinet and millwork producers
to improve quality control and productivity. With extensive handson
knowledge of quality control, production processes, sales,
inventory control systems in the kitchen cabinet industry, his
knowledge and experience are an asset to companies looking to
increase their competitiveness.
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Doug Makaroff, President, Living Forest Consultants
Victoria, BC
Doug Makaroff has 19 years experience as an urban planner and
real estate professional, applying Sustainability and New Urbanism
to real estate projects. He founded Living Forest Communities, a
company creating low-impact conservation communities with ecosystem
based forestry operations. As the President and CEO, Doug
is responsible for the Elkington Forest project, a 1000-acre
property near Shawnigan Lake that combines a working forest with
a low-impact development and secondary wood manufacturing
operations.
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David Fell , Market Researcher, FPInnovation
Forintek Division, Vancouver BC
David Fell is an Industry Advisor and FPInnovations-Forintek
market researcher who investigates and reports on wood product
market trends and opportunities in Canada, the U.S. and Asia.
Most recently he has developed a presentation that explores the
demand for wood products during an economic downturn and
trends for the industry during the recovery.
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Ian Niamath, Owner, Ian Niamath Architects
Nanaimo, BC
Ian Niamath has operated his Nanaimo practice for more than 25
years. His firm’s awards include Nanaimo landmarks such as the
waterfront plaza development, commercial mixed use projects,
and multi-family housing developments.
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Amber Harris, Owner/President, j.b.d design group
Nanaimo, BC
Amber Harris is the founder of this innovative firm that provides
design, build and manage services across Canada. She has a
lifelong interest in sustainability, which is reflected in her current
projects. The firm’s portfolio ranges from the recent green
residential Westhills development in Langford, BC to selecting
furniture from old timber, slate and natural fibers for Tofino’s
Pacific Sands Resort, to rebranding McDonald’s Restaurants’
Canadian operations.
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Scott Kemp, Owner, Scott Kemp Architects
Richmond, BC
Scott Kemp has operated his Richmond, BC practice for more than
10 years and currently serves as Registrar of the Architectural
Institute of BC. Scott has won two Woodworks awards for his
designs involving the use of reclaimed wood. He works extensively
with BC First Nations and is an advocate for achieving LEED
sustainability certification in his projects.
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George Hanson, Development Manager, InSight
Developments, Nanaimo, BC
George joined the award winning InSight Developments in 2008
furthering his dedication to growth and improvement on Vancouver
Island. As Managing Director of the Downtown Nanaimo
Partnership, George led an urban renewal initiative that garnered
11 provincial awards in 7 years. He has consulted for businesses
and served on the executive of the Nanaimo Economic
Development Group and Business Improvement Areas of British
Columbia.
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Jennifer, O’Connor, Industry Advisor, FPInnovations
Vancouver, BC
Jennifer O’Connor joined Forintek as an Industrial Advisor in 1998.
Her background in architecture and building performance are
strong assets for FPInnovations-Forintek, especially in the areas of
environmental profile of wood systems, construction market
issues, and in the establishment of the environmental projects in
the Forintek’s Next Generation Building and Living Solutions
initiative.
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Brian Hawrysh, CEO BC Wood
Langley, BC
In March 2007, Brian Hawrysh was appointed CEO of BC Wood, a
non-profit trade association dedicated to growing BC’s secondary
wood manufacturing industry. He has served as
BC Wood’s Manager of Market and Product Development and
Director of Remanufactured and Engineered Wood Products. Brian
supervises the provincial Business Innovation Partnership, which
delivers capacity-building programs to small and medium-size
value-added wood businesses in BC.
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Dave McRae, First Nations Liaison, FPInnovations
Vancouver, BC
Dave McRae had 20 years of industry experience in lumber drying
and manufacturing prior to joining Forintek. As First Nations
Liaison, Dave manages the Wood Products Technical Support
Program for BC First Nations. In this role he works closely with
local First Nations communities and businesses, helping them
develop opportunities for economic development and capacity
building.
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