Kurt Niquidet, Vice President and Chief Economist at BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI)

Kurt Niquidet is Vice President and Chief Economist at COFI and the President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. He also is currently an Adjunct Professor at UBC. Before COFI, Kurt was at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, where he was a Director within the International Economic Analysis Department. Kurt also spent several years as part of Natural Resources Canada, leading a team of research economists, and lectured in Forest Economics at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Brian Menzies, Executive Director at Independent Wood Processors Association of British Columbia (IWPABC)

Brian Menzies, Executive Director of the BC Independent Wood Processors Association (IWPA), will discuss the turbulent world of softwood lumber tariffs, their impact on trade and the difficult conversation our industry needs to engage in regarding the creation of a stronger US and Canadian wood products industry.

With more than 25 years of experience in senior roles within the BC government and as a public affairs advisor for various forestry companies, industry associations and government agencies, Brian earned a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management, focusing on public policy stakeholder engagement to better support government decision-making.

The IWPA represents British Columbia’s high-value wood manufacturers who optimize every piece of wood purchased on the open market. Members do not hold timber tenures, own private forests or share ownership with major forest companies. These innovative small to medium-sized companies produce a diverse range of high-value wood products, including fencing, decking, wood siding, railings, flooring, window frames, garden furniture, veneer and residual wood products. IWPA members are BC-owned, employ over 4,000 British Columbians, and reinvest in BC.

Steve Kozuki, Executive Director of Forestry Works For BC (FWFBC)

Steve Kozuki started working in the forest industry in 1984 at the age of 17. He earned a diploma in forest resources technology in 1989 and graduated with his bachelor of science in forestry in 1994. He has held various positions such as sawmill worker, compass person, silviculture technician, timber cruiser, forest planner, valuation coordinator, general manager of forestry for the Council of Forest Industries, general manager of fibre management for a pulp mill, BCTS Timber Sales Manager, MOF Director of Timber Pricing, and Executive Director of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. He is passionate about forest management in BC as a means to achieve environmental and resource stewardship benefits for British Columbians, now and for generations to come.

Some of Steve’s proudest career achievements include pioneering the use of computerized landscape design analysis to meet visual quality objectives, receiving a recognition plaque from a local residents’ group, and being part of a team that took an under-performing manufacturing division and returned it to profitability and saved hundreds of jobs in a resource-dependent community. Other notable achievements include using a forest tenure in an unconventional manner to re-start a pulp mill against all odds, and using timber pricing policy as a lever to advance broader public policy objectives such as safety and stewardship. At FESBC, Steve was able to combine deep forest industry business acumen with government goals in a way that enabled local grassroots organizations to reduce wildfire risks to communities, reduce greenhouse gasses, improve wildlife habitat, increase fibre utilization, advance reconciliation, and create economic benefits.

Ken Kalesnikoff, President and CEO of Kalesnikoff

Celebrating 85 years in the wood industry, Ken represents the third generation leading the Kalesnikoff group of companies. He has spent his entire career at Kalesnikoff, starting on the cleanup crew and working his way through production, sales and senior management. Ken has always believed in the importance of adding value and is a strong, vocal advocate for the forest industry.

Ken works tirelessly to promote B.C.’s forestry industry, especially highlighting the value-added specialty sector. He strongly believes in working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the forest industry, First Nations, and political groups, ensuring that forest companies are heard and represented.

Ken is the Chair of the ILMA, sits on the B.C. Wood Specialties Board, serves on the steering committee of the B.C. Value Added Wood Coalition, and is currently the Chair of the Forestry Works for B.C. campaign.