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Canfor Pulp appoints Kevin Edgson president and CEO

EACOM’s former president and CEO Kevin Edgson is taking over the helm of Canfor Pulp Products.

Effective April 11, Edgson will be president and CEO and is tasked with leading Canfor Pulp through a comprehensive business review, the company announced yesterday.

“Kevin’s proven ability to build and lead highly effective teams, in combination with his extensive experience in the forest sector, make him the ideal choice to lead Canfor Pulp as the company works to improve operational reliability and optimize the use of our fibre supply,” John Baird, chair of Canfor Pulp Board of Directors, said in a company statement.

Edgson led EACOM Timber Corporation for nine years and oversaw the eastern Canada forestry company’s sale to Interfor in February.

Before EACOM, Edgson spent 22 years with Millar Western Forest Products, starting out as assistant production supervisor with Meadow Lake Pulp and ending as vice-president and chief financial officer.

Canfor president and CEO Don Kayne said in the statement he is excited to welcome Edgson to lead the Canfor Pulp team. “Kevin is a highly successful leader with strong knowledge of the forestry and pulp industries and I am confident he will lead the organization to a profitable and sustainable future,” he said.

In a post to LinkedIn, Edgson said he looks forward to working with his new colleagues to elevate Canfor Pulp to its greatest potential.

“I have been blessed in my career, working with the Millar Family and the incredible leaders and colleagues that they assembled. I learned much about leadership and caring for people, regardless of role. I was given great opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally, and anything I have contributed to has a foundation in my time with Millar Western.

“I grew further with my friends and colleagues at EACOM. There I worked with many fine individuals, all professionals and leaders in their fields, and together we forged a culture of collaboration, respect and trust. Some left before me, many continue on today with Interfor, but all together we showed that our approach was capable of achieving best in class performance on all aspects of the business from operational or financial metrics, through sales and logistics, human resources, IT and all support services. It is this ability to work together for the common good that propels success.

“I am hopeful that with my new colleagues, as we come to tackle existing challenges and look forward to the opportunities available to us, we will elevate Canfor Pulp to be the very best it can be, and ultimately be the preferred supplier of NBSK.

“I thank all those who have contributed or will contribute to this story, and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the future at Canfor Pulp.”

Listen to CFI’s podcast with Kevin Edgson on how to attract younger workers to forestry.