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Coaster new TLA executive director

Annual General Meeting

Sunshine Coast resident David Elstone has been named the new executive director of the Truck Loggers Association.

The announcement was made just in advance of the 72nd annual convention and trade show held Jan. 21 to 23 in Victoria.

“We’re excited to bring someone as enthusiastic and knowledgeable as David onto the TLA team,” said TLA president Don Banaksy. “David also brings an interesting community perspective to the TLA. He lives in Roberts Creek with his wife and children and has done so for the last 14 years.

“Sunshine Coast residents are active stakeholders in the forest industry debate within the urban-rural interface. And, in the past, the forest industry has faced some challenges in demonstrating its value to local communities. There’s work being done now between government, the forestry and tourism industries, and coastal communities to build a better understanding. I think David’s local perspective will help us promote this work.”

Elstone also brings a wealth of forestry experience with him. For the last decade, he worked as a senior analyst for ERA Forest Products Research, helping institutional investors understand global forest product markets. Before joining ERA Forest Products Research, he owned and operated his own forestry consulting company, Delstone Resources, on the Sunshine Coast.

“With this year’s theme, Investing From The Ground Up, we take a hard look at how forest contractors — running small, locally owned businesses — can invest in themselves as they build a diverse workforce, develop lean operations and ultimately a strong forest industry,” said Elstone. “Our members are the backbone of coastal BC’s rural communities. They create jobs so people can work where they live on the coast.”

The TLA represents more than 440 independent forest contractors and their suppliers operating on the coast of British Columbia. Their membership, along with other independent contractors, accounts for close to 90 per cent of the trees harvested on the coast. The TLA promotes a thriving, sustainable coastal forest industry in B.C.