Features Harvesting Logging Profiles
TLA elects first female president

January 14, 2016 – Jacqui Beban has been elected as the first female president of the Truck Loggers Association. The vote was cast at the TLA’s annual general meeting held today as part of the program for the association’s 73rd Annual Convention & Trade Show themed, “Adapting to Steep Change.”

The Truck Loggers Association has had 37 male presidents since its incorporation 73 years ago in 1943, so the election of Bebab comes as a historic first for association as well as B.C.’s forest industry.

Beban is a partner in Nootka Sound Timber Co. Ltd. which manages a forest license on the west coast of Vancouver Island near Gold River. Born and raised in Nanaimo, she has called Qualicum Beach home for the last 15 years.

She has a long history of logging in her family. 

“I was six weeks old on my first trip to a logging camp,” said Beban. “I’m a third-generation logger on my mom’s side and a fourth generation logger on my dad’s.” 

Beban’s multi-generational history in logging is based out of Nanaimo and the surrounding area. Her maternal grandfather’s company, Fedje and Gunderson Ltd., formed in 1949, is still in operation today.

“I love forestry because no two days are the same,” said Beban. “And I’m proud of how far our industry has come. We are safe and sustainable. With the environmental stewardship, technological advances and opportunities with First Nations happening right now, it’s an exciting time to be a part of this industry.”

“We welcome Jacqui,” added David Elstone, TLA’s executive director. “Her experience as a logging business owner and her history with the industry will make her an excellent president.”

While, forestry hasn’t always been an industry that welcomed women, today there are many opportunities in the industry, the TLA stated.

Beban started working in her family’s company, Frank Beban Logging, as the “parts girl” and worked her way up into senior management over several years. In 2011, she was part of creating Nootka Sound Timber which manages a forest license on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

More updates on TLA's 73rd Annual Convention & Trade Show coming soon.

January 14, 2016  By  Andrew Snook