Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Rates (CAD)
By registering for the Montreal Wood Convention, you will receive registration to attend the NAWLA Montreal Regional Meeting as well.
Register Now
Location
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montréal
900 René-Lévesque Blvd. West
Montréal (Quebec) H3B 4A5 CANADA
Schedule at a Glance
2:00 p.m. – MWC Registration Opens
3:00 p.m. – Montreal Regional Meeting Registration and Networking
3:30 p.m. – Presentation and Q&A
4:30 p.m. – Networking
6:00 p.m. – Adjourn
Speakers
Bart Bender, Interfor
Bart joined Interfor Corporation as Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing in 2015. He is responsible for Sales & Marketing across all regions and systemwide Logistics for the company with a focus on building value for Interfor customers by delivering quality products “on spec and on time.”
Bart has more than 30 years of experience in the wood products business in both Sales & Marketing and Operational capacities. He has worked for Ainsworth Engineered Canada, Talpx Inc, Interex Forest Products and Balfour Guthrie Forest Products. In addition, Bart currently serves as Chair for both US WoodWorks and Canada Wood Group.
Bart holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia majoring in Transportation and Logistics.
Fred Lebel, Groupe Lebel
After earning his bachelor's degree in administration from UQTR in 1992, Louis-Frédéric Lebel joined the family business in 1993. From 1993 to 2004, he held various positions in the company: Foreman at a veneer plant, in Logistics, and as Lumber Trader before becoming General Manager at the Scotsburn’s plant in Nova Scotia. He was also involved in Business Development at all times.
Passionate and hard-working, Louis-Frédéric follows in the footsteps of his father, Deniso Lebel, the company's founder. Like him, he defines himself as “a resolutely regional builder”. He became in 2004 the head of the company, founded in 1956. During his time as CEO, he oversaw, especially since 2006, several major acquisitions to further the company's growth, including the recent acquisition of a plant in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick and the construction of a brand-new pellet plant in Cacouna, Quebec, as well as the expansion of some fifteen plants in the regions where they are located.
Having at heart the development of the plants and the influence of the company in the regions where he chooses to settle, he invites people to get involved socially by regularly supporting important events for the communities. One of the causes he unconditionally supports is the Fondation Annette Cimon Lebel, founded by his mother, which provides assistance to people with cancer and their families.
This desire for continuity and perenniality of the family business is very tangible. He often says to his teams: "Because of all those who offer us their knowledge and hard work, we are fortunate to offer a stable and constantly evolving work environment of which we can only be proud!"
Khara Julilen, SBP
With over 20 years of experience as a Human Resources professional in the manufacturing and distribution industries, Khara Julien is passionate about leading with grit, wisdom and compassion.
Since joining Specialty Building Products in 2022, she has contributed to the integration of several acquired companies. Prior to SBP, Khara was the CHRO for three other organizations: Transportation Insight Holding Company, Americold Logistics and Gypsum Management & Supply (GMS). During her tenure with these organizations, she was responsible for leading the development and implementation of a nation-wide HR strategy and partnered with her colleagues to diligence and integrate more than 40 acquisitions. She was also responsible for building the people infrastructure to transition GMS from private ownership to publicly traded on the NYSE in 2016.
Prior to joining GMS in 2014, Khara spent 3 years at Novelis and 11 years with Owens Corning, where she held various positions of increasing responsibility. During this time, she served as an HR Manager in three manufacturing plants and as interim Head of HR for Owens Corning’s India operations.
Khara holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and also has her Global Professional Human Resource (GPHR) certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute.
In her free time, Khara enjoys spending time with her family on their small farm and watching her two daughters’ athletics.
Sponsorship
Interested in sponsoring a 2023 Regional Meeting?
- You can purchase sponsorships directly from the NAWLA store!
Contact info@nawla.org with questions.