A forester who started his career in the Prince George region has been named to a professional standards council that has an influence over the entire B.C. forestry sector.
Tom Walker is a longtime town councillor and mayor of North Cowichan. He was also a 35-year veteran of the B.C. Forest Service, holding key positions with the provincial forest fire suppression department and district manager of the Duncan Forest District. On Tuesday he was named as the newest lay councillor for the Association of BC Forest Professionals' (ABCFP).
"We are thrilled to have someone of Tom's professional calibre join the association's council," said Christine Gelowitz, a registered professional forester and president of the ABCFP. "Tom's combination of industry knowledge, political acumen and long history of passionate public service and community involvement will no doubt be valuable when assisting the rest of council in decision-making and upholding the public interest."
Prior to the Vancouver Island side of his life, Walker began his bush career as a student when he started as a member of a wildfire suppression crew. He progressed to become a ranger in charge of Tatla Lake in the Chilcotin and then as ranger in charge of Summit Lake near Prince George.
"I've worked in various roles throughout my career and forestry has always been a central theme," said Tom. "From my early days working in wildfire suppression to later managing a forest district, I have learned so much about the sector and look forward to sharing my perspectives in this new role."
The ABCFP is the legislated oversight association for the technical professions of B.C.'s forest industry. It is the largest professional forestry association in Canada and has been operational since 1947. It is governed by a council that includes two lay-members appointed by the provincial government. They are there, said Gelowitz, "to assist the rest of council in considering the public interest in all deliberations and decisions."
