All-Wood Fibre Team
Leonard Legault
President & Co-owner
Leonard Legault is the President and Co-owner of All-Wood Fibre and Alterna Energy. Prior to founding All-Wood, Leonard spent 15 years in the forestry industry. Leonard has always researched and pursued new opportunities and helped to pioneer new developments in the forestry industry. Over the past 15 years he has grown All-Wood Fibre into a highly successful business. He has continued a passion for life-long learning through ongoing personal executive development training. This is also demonstrated through the Learning Culture principles adopted by both All-Wood and Alterna. Leonard’s focus on Training and Employee Development are key to both employee engagement and the culture of making things happen. He is a visionary searching out new business opportunities and the best practices and technologies for developing these businesses. Leonard recognized the need for an alternate fuel source for manufacturers and communities all over the world using a renewable and abundant fuel source. He started Alterna Energy to meet these needs.
Wendy Legault
Managing Director & Co-owner
Wendy Legault is the Managing Director and Co-owner of All-Wood Fibre and Alterna Energy. Wendy and Leonard have assisted and supported each other in their business endeavors. Wendy has honed her entrepreneurial and management skills by establishing, growing and managing a highly successful company which employs over 50 employees. Her work experience includes managing Finance, Insurance and Risk Management functions. Additionally she provides direction in the development of business, operating, capital and strategic plans. She oversees all Employee Relations activities and the development of a corporate culture that celebrates inclusion, creativity and getting things done. Her strategies result in high levels of employee retention and engagement.
Gerald Kutney, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Gerry Kutney holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Toronto. He began his business career in research and marketing management with the Forest Products Division of ICI Canada. He then worked as an executive and Officer of Tembec, where he directed the Chemical Products Group, which manufactured and marketed value-added products from pulp mill by-products. Gerry was also the CEO and President of a new technology venture company. He is a successful published author. Dr. Kutney's work has resulted in the development of new technological processes, patented inventions and scientific publications. He is a seasoned executive with experience working with both smaller firms and large multi-national corporations. He has proven expertise leading teams of professionals in product development, reconfiguring production methods and operations and in overseeing high level capital intensive projects.
Tom Paetz, CMA
Controller
Tom Paetz is a Certified Management Accountant with 23 years experience in the Forest Industry in both accounting and operations management capacities. He has a long and varied background in Quality, Production and Operations. He has demonstrated expertise in implementing and refining Performance Management programs to ensure continuous improvement and benchmarking performance to both industry standards and strategic goals. Tom has management experience overseeing Finance, Quality Control and Operations in both smaller and major multi-national forest products companies. This experience has afforded him the opportunity to develop a depth and breadth of expertise in the financial management of large capital projects and operations.
Sue McMurray, PCP
Accounting Assistant
Sue has over 10 years experience in bookkeeping, payroll, and Accounts Payable and Receivable with a large local accounting firm. She has completed college courses in Accounting, English and Marketing. She holds a Computerized Office Procedures cerfii ate and recently earned her Payroll Compliance Practitioner "PCP" certificate through the Canadian Payroll Association.
Sue has been with All-Wood Fibre for three years and is responsible for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll functions.
Kimberly Swarts, BA, CHRP
Human Resources Manager
Kimberly Swarts obtained her BA in Economics from the University of Manitoba. She has held the professional designation of Certified Human Resources Professional since 2000. She has over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, 11 of those years were with the largest manufacturing company in western Canada and 5 years were with a research intensive university. She brings in depth expertise in developing and implementing a variety of Human Resources programs. Her background includes working with start up operations and the production of new business lines. She has strong knowledge of Human Resources practices throughout Canada and US and experience managing employment issues in the UK, Australia and South Africa.
Doug McCumsey
Technical Support & Maintenance Manager
Doug McCumsey’s original training was as a Heavy Duty Mechanic. His background in forestry management includes several years experience as an Operations Manager for a variety of logging companies. Doug has worked in the industry for over 30 years. In addition to his years of experience in management, he has also operated a business as a mechanical contractor. In 1998 he joined All-Wood and has supported the growth and development of the business in a variety of positions. In his current role, he focuses on transportation, maintenance and technical support for the entire organization.
Toby Jeffreys
Business Development Manager
Toby Jeffreys is a Registered Professional Forester. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, majoring in Forest Resources Management from the University of British Columbia. He has over 10 years experience in the Forest Industry. He has held management, senior operational and consulting roles. He has worked for both smaller and major forest products companies. Toby has managed, directed and implemented forestry activities throughout the Prince George, Mackenzie and Kamloops timber sales areas. He has consulting experience and has worked both through teams and independently. Toby’s expertise is utilized throughout the All-Wood Fibre organization.
Wayne Burkinshaw
Grinding Operations Manager
Wayne Burkinshaw has over 35 years of experience in the forestry, logging and wood processing industry. He started his career as an Equipment Operator and Driver. He worked for both smaller and larger firms and advanced to the role of Logging Supervisor. Wayne joined the Ministry of Forests as a Forest Technician and spent 10 years there in Officer roles supporting both the Protection and Harvesting divisions. He is still an approved Certified S-100 Trainer for the Province of British Columbia. He has been with All-Wood Fibre for 9 years in various operational and management roles. His expertise is utilized throughout the company, particularly around Logistics and Fire Safety issues.
Steve Holdstock
Project Manager
Steve Holdstock has over 10 years experience in supervisory roles including time with a major forest products company. He has held his Interprovincial Certified Millwright ticket for over ten years. He has completed studies and been awarded his Maintenance Management Professional designation. He supports All-Wood Fibre in a variety of capacities including: managing special projects; mentoring and developing apprentice tradespersons and providing technical expertise. In addition he is the Fabrication Shop Manager for Alterna Biocarbon.
Nick Finch
Project Leader
Nick Finch holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Wood Products Processing from the University of British Columbia. He has over 10 years experience working in the forest industry and his background includes developing and managing continuous improvement initiatives focusing on improving product margins and operational efficiencies. He is knowledgeable in managing both small and large capital projects. Nick has worked for both small and large multi-national forest products companies holding a number of different management positions including: Quality control, production coordination and production superintendent.