Executive Officers

Don Demens joined Western Forest Products in 2009 and has served in a number of strategic roles with the Company including Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Chief Operating Officer, and President. He was appointed President and CEO in February 2013. Through his tenure Mr. Demens has led the strategic repositioning of the company’s manufacturing assets and the implementation of a geographic and product line diversification strategy that has positioned Western as the leading specialty softwood supplier. Mr. Demens is an experienced executive and has over 30 years’ experience in the coastal forest industry, including senior management roles with Interfor in both North America and Japan. Mr. Demens holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia.

Stephen Williams joined Western Forest Products in May 2014 to assist with the implementation of Western’s strategic initiatives. In October 2014, he was appointed to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and then Executive Vice President and CFO in 2018. He is responsible for Corporate Finance, Corporate Development, Investor Relations, IT, Shared Services, and Legal. Mr. Williams’ is a strategic leader with over 25 years’ experience in the forest industry, with extensive experience in acquisitions and divestitures. Mr. Williams formerly held the position of Vice President, Finance & Administration at Interfor. Mr. Williams is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia.

Bruce Alexander joined Western Forest Products in December 2018 to provide leadership to Western’s sales and marketing and manufacturing business units. Mr. Alexander is an experienced executive and brings over 30 years of sales, manufacturing and management experience in the forest products and manufacturing industries, including on the coast of B.C. Most recently, Mr. Alexander held the position of Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Logistics at Norbord. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry & Forest Management from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario.

Jennifer Foster joined Western Forest Products in 2015 as Vice President, Human Resources to lead Western’s human resources strategy. Ms. Foster was appointed Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Affairs in February 2020 and is responsible for Human Resources, Labour Relations, Health & Safety, and Corporate Affairs. She is a strategic leader with over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources, including in the global automotive sector. Ms. Foster holds an Honours Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University.

Shannon Janzen first joined Western Forest Products in 1999. Ms. Janzen was appointed Chief Forester in 2013 and Vice President and Chief Forester in 2015. In March 2020, she was appointed Vice President, Partnerships & Sustainability and Chief Forester. Ms. Janzen is responsible for leading the development of partnerships and business ventures with First Nations and other partners. She also provides leadership to Western’s sustainable forest management, climate and environmental programs. Ms. Janzen has extensive experience working with First Nations, communities, other businesses and environmental groups to develop mutually beneficial relationships, including the implementation of the Great Bear Rainforest agreements. Ms. Janzen is a Registered Professional Forester and holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from the University of Northern British Columbia.

Alyce Harper joined Western Forest Products in 2016. As Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, she oversees the Company’s legal and corporate compliance requirements for all areas of the business and advises the Company’s executive leadership team and Board of Directors on legal and governance matters. Before joining Western, Ms. Harper practiced law at a large global law firm where she acted for forestry and other natural resource companies on a variety of corporate and commercial matters and governance issues affecting stakeholders, directors and management. Ms. Harper is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.

Glen Nontell joined Western Forest Products in 2018. As Vice President, Corporate Development, he oversees the Company’s corporate development, treasury and investor relations functions and has a leading role in advancing the Company’s strategic growth initiatives. Mr. Nontell has extensive capital markets and corporate finance experience, having previously worked in the investment banking group at Scotiabank, advising companies on a breadth of mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, IPOs, and equity and debt financing transactions across a broad range of sectors, including forest products. Mr. Nontell began his career at KPMG and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.

Dallyn Willis joined Western Forest Products in 2014. As Vice President, Finance, he oversees the Company’s financial planning, tax, accounting & reporting, internal controls, risk management functions, due diligence and acquisitions integration, and advises the Company’s executive leadership team and Board of Directors. He has held finance and governance roles with publicly listed companies, from Reporting Manager to Chief Financial Officer; prior to which he articled with PricewaterhouseCoopers specializing in assurance and advisory services in the forestry and financial service industries. Mr. Willis is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria.