Ron

I am an experienced pulp supervisor with extensive bleach plant and brownstock experience.

Assistant Manager at Athabasca Home Hardware (2024-05 – Present)

Finished Products Front Line Leader at International Paper (2023-05 – 2023-12)

Pulp Machine Superintendant at Skookumchuck Pulp (2022-09 – 2023-03)

Fibreline Area Specialist at Alberta Pacific Forest Industries (2001-12 – 2022-03)

In December 2001 I advanced to one of two positions for Fibreline Area Specialist. My areas of responsibility were Brownstock, Bleach Plant, Chemical Preparation/R-8 and Chemical by Rail Unloading. I was also the Area Specialist for our Kamyr twin vessel Digester for one year and provided coverage for the Digester specialist when he was absent or on vacation. I have knowledge and experience of the entire Fibreline.

• To be an internal consultant for the Fibreline Business Unit.
• Provide day to day technical support for operating teams in order to improve mill reliability, reduce costs, and enhance mill production.
• Monitor process conditions to minimize environmental impacts, and to reach zero tolerance levels.
• Participate in planning and executing of predictive and preventative maintenance programs.
• Work closely with maintenance team and planners. Create work request and ensure they are planned. Prioritize work to be scheduled based on KPIÆs. Plan and execute work in my areas as required.
• Assist in coaching and technical development of operational team members.
• Participate in the trouble shooting of equipment operation and recommend process modifications for mill optimization.
• Provide technical expertise and have the ability to take on projects from inception to conclusion.
• Plan and organize the annual shutdown for the Fibreline area.
• Investigate ways of improving the process and by implementing improvement initiatives to reduce costs, increase production, improve safety or environmental impact.
• Commissioned and started up a $15M chemical rail by unloading facility in 2017-2018 for sodium chlorate, sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide. Developed and implemented procedures for unloading all 3 chemicals. Provided initial training to all chemical unloaders to ensure they were competent to unload the chemicals and signed them off. Responsible for maintaining this facility over the next several years.
• For the last 10 years I was responsible for the fiberglass reinforced plastic maintenance program in my areas. I would arrange for a 3rd party inspector to come to site 2x per year for inspections. I would discuss all findings with the inspectors on site. Once final inspection reports were received I would review each one and decide on what assets would be repaired the following year under our capital project plan. Thru implementation of this program we have not had any failures on FRP assets in the Fibreline that have caused mill downtime or environmental incidents.
• Project manager for capital projects in my areas several up to $1M yearly
• Provide 24/7 support for the operation 365 days a year
• I have a strong work ethic and 150% dedication to my employer. I have many references and positive emails about this some of which are recent. All my references can be contacted on my work performance.
• Some of my accomplishments in 2021 were a reduction in H2O2 of 0.5 kg/t on softwood. Further reductions are possible. Reduction of 0.2 kg/t of caustic on hardwood. Possible elimination of magnesium sulphate on softwood and savings of $100k per year. A trial is still required.
• In 2021 I submitted 24 out of 60 improvement ideas for Alpac. Some of which were being investigated such as Hex A removal. I am always looking at ways for improving the way the business is run. There is always a better way of doing things.
• Supervised shift teams during maintenance shutdowns.
• Provided coverage for the Fibreline Business Unit Leader during vacation or absence.

Day Technician at Alberta Pacific Forest Industries (1999-01 – 2001-12)

As a Day Technician for two years, I was responsible in the first year for looking after the Bleach Plant, Chemical Preparation and R-8 Generator for production, maintenance concerns, optimization projects and cost control. While on days, I also assumed the role of chairperson for the Bleach Plant Operating Committee, Digester Operating Committee, Co-chairperson and later chairperson of the Millwide Health & Safety Committee. During my second year as day technician I was responsible for the Digester and Brownstock areas and the same job duties as listed above.

Fibreline Team Leader at Alberta Pacific Forest Industries (1996-07 – 1999-01)

After start-up I remained a Bleach Plant operator for the next two years. After this I spent time on the Digester Panel. After completion of the Digester Panel, I was able to progress to the T-7 level.

In January of 1996, I started to work on becoming a Team Facilitator/Team Leader. In July of 1996, I became a signed off Team Facilitator on Fibreline ôAö Team. The role of Team Facilitator is to oversee the daily functions/operation of the team within the operating Business Unit and to interact between the shift team and the core team on a daily basis.

Over the years, I have received numerous training courses relating to different aspects of work. Some worth mentioning are a weeklong course on Team Skills, as well as training by many different vendors over the years. All were valuable training tools in becoming an effective member of the Self-Directed Work Team.

I have also been actively involved with the Fibreline Lockout Committee since 1994.

Digester/Brownstock Operator at Alberta Pacific Forest Industries (1994-01 – 1996-07)

Bleach Plant Operator at Alberta Pacific Forest Industries (1992-11 – 1994-01)

I was hired on as a Bleach Plant Operator in November 1992. During the next six months I was involved with various activities during the commissioning of the mill. In this time period I was able to study the process flow of the Fibreline in great detail while working along with Simons Stanley Joint Ventures and their engineersÆ in developing process flushes for all equipment in the Fibreline.

I also assisted in developing training competencies for various pieces of equipment and processes in the Fibreline that I was familiar with from past experience. Prior to start up of the mill I was also able to gain knowledge of Sacda simulation for the Bleach Plant and R-8 systems. During this period of time, I gained knowledge of the operation of our Honeywell TDC 3000 Distributed Control System.

Over the next several years, I looked at ways of using this system to its fullest capacity by implementing logic changes to various processes in the Fibreline to improve process operation, minimize downtime and to reduce operating costs.

Layboy Operator at James River Marathon Ltd. (1989-08 – 1992-11)

In the Machine Room, I worked as a general clean-up person, throwing broke, threading the dryer and working on the wrap and tie. I was also trained up to the position of Layboy Operator monitoring two Lambs-Grey layboys.

Bleach Plant Second Helper at James River Marathon Ltd. (1989-08 – 1992-11)

As Bleach Plant Second Helper, I was responsible for controlling the stock flow in the Hypo stage and the Bleach cleaners. I performed stock tests every two hours such as Kappa number, pH and residual tests. During my time in the Bleach Plant, I was present for the start-up of a new R-8 Generator, and also the introduction of a Fisher Provox control system.

Recaust Assistant Operator at James River Marathon Ltd. (1988-08 – 1989-01)

As Recaust Assistant Operator, I was responsible for all liquor and lime testing, equipment checks and clean up. During this time I was able to gain valuable knowledge of our newly modernized Recausticizing Process which utilizes a Fisher Provox control system, three Eimco Pressure Filters and an Ahlstrom Lime Kiln.

Digester Helper at James River Marathon Ltd. (1987-05 – 1987-09)

As Digester Helper I assisted in filling, capping and blowing of eight batch Digesters. During my time spent in this area, I also gained knowledge of Brownstock washing which involved Beloit pressure washers and eight vacuum washers, two Hi-Q Ingersoll Rand knotters, and four stage screening using centrisorters.

Utility Man Machine Room at James River Marathon Ltd. (1986-05 – 1986-08)

Diploma in Pulp and Paper Engineering Technology – Sault College of Applied Art and Technology (1986-09 – 1989-08)

Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma in Grade 12 – Marathon High School (1986-06)