Skip to content

Campbell Riverites playing prominent role in Truck Loggers Association executive

Campbell River has a prominent presence on the executive of the Truck Loggers Association.
10421589_web1_180202-CRM-TLA-executive--CR-mayor
Campbell River Mayor Andy Adams (far right) posed with the full truck Loggers Association executive at their convention held Jan. 17-19: (from left) David Elstone, Executive Director; Bill Nelson, Vice President; Mike Richardson, President; Jacqui Beban, Immediate Past President; Andy Adams, Campbell River Mayor.

Campbell River has a prominent presence on the executive of the Truck Loggers Association.

Mike Richardson was elected President by the Truck Loggers Association (TLA) membership at their AGM Jan. 17-19 and Bill Nelson was elected vice president.

With 42 years of experience in the forest industry, Richardson will represent TLA member interests to both government and industry. He is currently a partner in Tsibass Construction Ltd., a stump-to-dump logging contactor based out of Campbell River. However, he spent 14 years of his career working for both a major licensee and a First Nations licensee.

“I’ve worn a few different hats over the years and I believe there is common ground that can be reached so all parties can be successful,” said Richardson.

“The Contractor Sustainability Review must be our main advocacy focus in 2018,” said Richardson when asked about his focus as president. “The TLA has worked hard to have the Review happen and we look forward to working with government and industry to implement any recommendations that improve the lot of timber harvesting contractors in BC.”

Richardson has called Campbell River home for 37 years and that’s no surprise – many consider Campbell River the heartland of forestry on BC’s coast.

“There are 100 TLA member companies based in Campbell River which is just over a fifth of our membership,” said Richardson. “I see people in the industry every time I leave my house – grocery store, golf course, boat ramp – Campbell River is full of people making their living in forestry.”

The TLA’s new Vice President, Bill Nelson, also lives in Campbell River.

Nelson is partner in Holbrook Dyson Logging based in Campbell River. Holbrook Dyson offers full phase harvesting and road construction services. Nelson works as a project manager, running the two camp operations with his partners. Holbook Dyson employs 55 people and operates on mid and northern Vancouver Island.

Nelson is a third generation logger. In fact, he completed elementary grades one and two in logging camps before moving to Campbell River. He worked in Norie Bros. Logging’s shop every summer in high school and started setting chokers at 17. He did one year of university at SFU before the forest industry called him back.

“I liked the challenge of working hard and I loved being outside,” said Bill. “I grew up in logging. So it was like coming home.”

Nelson lives in Campbell River with his wife and two daughters.

The TLA represents 489 independent forest contractors and their suppliers operating in British Columbia. The TLA membership supports thousands of workers and, along with other independent contractors, accounts for close to 90 per cent of the trees harvested in B.C. The TLA aims to promotes a thriving, sustainable forest industry in B.C.