Brad Thorlakson, President and CEO of Tolko, presents an $8,000 cheque for the Starfish Program to Kalamalka Rotary President Neil Perry and Kalamalka Starfish Program Director, Dr. Carmen Larsen. (Photo submitted)

Brad Thorlakson, President and CEO of Tolko, presents an $8,000 cheque for the Starfish Program to Kalamalka Rotary President Neil Perry and Kalamalka Starfish Program Director, Dr. Carmen Larsen. (Photo submitted)

Vernon CEO appointed to U.S. board

Brad Thorlakson of Vernon-based Tolko to be Canada West rep on U.S. Softwood Lumber Board

  • Jan. 24, 2019 12:00 a.m.

The president and CEO of Vernon-based Tolko is one of two more Canadians named to the U.S. Softwood Lumber Board.

Brad Thorlakson will represent Canada West on the board. Kevin Edgson of Montreal, CEO of EACOM, will represent Canada East.

Thorlakson and Edgson join four other new members, all from the U.S.

U.S. Agriculture secretary Sonny Perdue appointed the six members to serve on the SLB for a three-year term of office.

The SLB is composed of 19 members, including 12 domestic manufacturers and seven importers. Of the 12 domestic manufacturers, six represent the U.S. South, five represent the U.S. West, and one represents the Northeast and Lake States. Of the seven importers, four represent Canada West, two represent Canada East, and one represents all other importing countries besides Canada.

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“The Softwood Lumber Board thanks Secretary Perdue for appointing a strong slate of new directors who reflect the diversity of the industry and will bring the unique perspectives from their regions,” said Cees de Jager, SLB’s CEO.

The SLB is an industry-funded initiative established to promote lumber’s value proposition and increase demand for softwood lumber products in outdoor, residential and non-residential construction.

Through strategic investments in pro-wood communications, standards development, design and engineering assistance, research, demonstrations and partnerships, the organization seeks to make softwood lumber the preferred material choice from both an economic and an environmental standpoint.


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