As more forest industry professionals reach retirement, it’s more important than ever that we highlight the next generation of leaders. CFI’s annual Top 10 Under 40 contest is our way of doing so. This year marks the ninth consecutive year we have scoured nominations from across Canada to find individuals who exemplify the best of our sector, from outstanding log haulers to sawmillers, foresters and others. The result is a list of high-performing professionals who are poised to lead the industry.
To acknowledge and highlight each winner’s contributions, CFI will feature one of 2021’s winners every week for the next 10 weeks.
This week, we introduce our readers to Adam Blyth, sawmill superintendent for Tolko Industries in High Level, Alta.
With more than 17 years’ experience in the industry, Adam Blyth, at 36 years old, is the sawmill superintendent at Tolko Industries’ High Level, Alta., division.
Adam joined Tolko Industries in 2004, working clean-up and production spare board. After learning the ropes in several production roles, Adam completed his training as a planer technician. He quickly moved up to head planerman and was responsible for running the planer maintenance department.
Adam’s passion for developing great trades employees led him to his next role as apprenticeship and training co-ordinator for the site, says his colleague Caroline Carstens.
In this role, he was involved in developing Tolko’s employees and worked with Careers the Next Generation and the local school, promoting forestry as a career choice for youth across northern Alberta. His leadership and “get-it-done” attitude led him to be promoted to sawmill superintendent at the age of 32. To further develop his skills and knowledge, he took part in the pilot cohort of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)’s Industrial Wood Processing program.
“Adam has worked tirelessly to develop capacity at all levels within the sawmill – developing employees and processes that have improved production quality, as well as employee safety and engagement,” Carstens adds.
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