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Forestry’s rising stars: Meet TJ Mattson

The future for Canada’s forestry sector is bright, judging by this year’s winners of CFI‘s Top 10 Under 40 competition. We scoured nominations from across the country in all sectors, including logging, sawmilling, equipment and technology suppliers and associated industries.

To acknowledge and highlight each winner’s contributions, CFI will feature one of 2020’s winners every week for the next nine weeks.*

This week, we introduce our readers to our final winner, TJ Mattson, owner of First Pass Oilfield Contracting in Grande Prairie, Alta.

TJ Mattson was born into logging – the third generation of his family to work in forestry. He joined First Pass Oilfield Contracting as a process operator, working his way up to roles such as harvest manager and operations manager.

In 2014, he stepped into a management role, and, in 2016, the now 38-year-old officially acquired the company.

“He is committed to succeed not only with the client contract but also with the timberland industry,” says his father Randy Mattson. “He is always seeking ways to improve production and make improvements for the company and employees.”

First Pass has been successful in securing long-term contracts with major oil companies for the clearing of pipeline and lease sites.

“TJ has a very strong work ethic and solid leadership skills, as do all of my children. He is on the road most mornings at 4:00 a.m. He’s out scouting the roads and weather for the safety of the employees,” Mattson adds.

*Editor’s note: At the request of one of this year’s winners, CFI will not be posting their individual profile.