EXCELLENCE AWARDEE: Canada’s Safest Mining & Natural Resources Employer

Mercer Forestry Services Ltd.

Marty Hiemstra

General Manager

Marty Hiemstra has served as the General Manager of Mercer Forestry Services since February 2020. With most of his experience falling within timber harvesting and transportation, Mr. Hiemstra has over 25 years of experience in the forest industry. Mr. Hiemstra received his Forest Technology diploma from the College of New Caledonia, followed by his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and Executive MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia. Mr. Hiemstra has also been a registered professional forester with the Association of BC Forest Professionals since 1998.

General Manager

Marty Hiemstra

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As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls. At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability. We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.

Mercer Forestry Services (MFS) is a leading force in the BC Southern Interior’s forestry sector. We are committed to sustainable forestry practices. With a core group of contractors and a dedicated team of 65 employees, we are at the forefront of responsible wood harvesting and transportation. At MFS we take pride in adhering to the highest environmental standards. Our practices are rooted in responsible forestry management, and we actively contribute to preserving our natural resources. We work closely with local communities, Indigenous groups, and environmental organizations to ensure that our operations align with the values and needs of the regions we serve. This collaborative approach strengthens our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Safety is a cornerstone of MFS. Our Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) fosters a culture of safety and transparency. We encourage employees and contractors to promptly report hazards, and these reports are addressed in accordance with our safety protocols and discussed in our monthly JOHSC meetings. We take our role as safety leaders seriously. Our commitment to safety goes beyond compliance; we strive to set industry standards for safety excellence. Our dedication to creating a safe working environment is unwavering.

Sandra Higgins

Safety Co-ordinator

Sandra Higgins started in the forest industry in the early 1980s as a level 3 first aid and a bucker’s helper in the Okanagan. In 1986, she moved to the north coast as a contract hand bucker as well as first aid at a logging camp. First aid duties included assisting work safe investigations. In 1994, Higgins returned to the Okanagan as a hand bucker and equipment operator. She became safety coordinator and first aid for an Okanagan harvesting operation in 2017, and by 2019, her role was focused on safety in the field and working on continual safe improvement plans. Now, in 2023, Higgins is safety coordinator for Mercer Forestry Services, working with employees and management to continually improve our safety culture.

Safety Co-ordinator

Sandra Higgins

Craig Thompson

Chief Technology Officer

Craig Thompson has spent over 21 years building and implementing technology solutions across the financial services, legal and hospitality sectors to unlock new business capabilities, drive efficiency and solve business problems. Prior to joining Brighten, Craig worked at MA Financial Group as Head of Technology across its asset management, corporate advisory and lending divisions. Craig was responsible for the development and delivery of MA’s IT strategy, transformation program and technology roadmap.

Chief Technology Officer

Craig Thompson