Alan Potter Email and Phone Number

A consulting firm which provides management and consulting services to clients in Canada and the US

I work on a part-time basis, with colleagues at the Faculty of Forestry, and the Department of Wood Science, to develop new research proposals and share my 30+ years of R&D Management experience in the Forest Industry.

FPInnovations is a Canadian based private & government funded research partnership serving the Canadian forest products sector. A leader in the company Executive Team. Ultimately responsible for the company’s Strategic Direction and Operational R&D programs. Programs delivered applied technology projects in wood resource characterization, forest harvesting, sawmilling & panelboard manufacture, wood-based building systems, pulp and paper manufacturing, and emerging forest bio-products A $85M portfolio of projects consistently delivered an aggregate 8:1 return to the Canadian forest sector. Over 600 staff, with laboratories in Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City and field staff across Canada.

• Developed the Strategic and Operational plans for FPInnovations before and after its creation in April 2007.• Led the submission of a proposal to the Canadian Federal Government which resulted between 2007 and 2013 in a $200 + million investment to carry a transformative technologies program for the forest sector which was delivered though FPInnovations. Funds led to pre-competitive development of a number of new technologies, e.g, nano crystalline cellulose, cellulosic fibrils, lignin derivatives, and new building systems• Maintained relations with senior executives in Canadian forest industry and senior federal and provincial officials responsible for the forest sector. Led the national research advisory processes to ensure the research programs aligned with forest sector needs. Ensured close interaction with relevant Canadian universities.

Operating from Montreal and Toronto, led process and product development for subsidiary companies, Norbord and Fraser Papers, in Canada, U.S., and Europe. Directed 25+ person corporate technology and engineering group in Montreal. Responsible for all environmental affairs of the corporation, directed an EHS audit program for the Board of Directors, and produced the Annual Environmental report. Member of the Corporate Executive Team and an Officer of the company.My project teams, consistently delivered over $15 million per annum increased margin. Implemented projects which gave both cost savings at wood and paper operations and developed margin-added wood and paper products. 4 specific accomplishments:Developed new grade of grease resistant packaging papers and other specialty applications which resulted in 50,000 T of new volume at $300/T added marginImplemented in-house developed and patented technology at a Canadian site to make a dimensionally stable OSB flooring product that commands a $50/MSF premiumImplemented process monitoring and control technologies in several panelboard operations, especially with continuous press technology, which allowed material savings at each site of at least $1 million per annum.Adapted novel environmental treatment technology, implemented at paper mill and avoided $17 million capital expenditureMaintained a strong corporate reputation for Nexfor in Environment, Health and Safety. Used proactive environmental initiatives at operations, strong in-house developed environmental audit systems, and leading edge public reporting

Led a $2.5 million portfolio of contract and national program projects through a team of 24 scientists

Staring as a Senior Researcher, completed several key assignments, increased managerial roles and in 1996 was given responsibility to direct a 15 person R&D group. Led technical projects in wood composite product and process development, and chemical treatments in sawmills. Key technical resource for company’s business leaders. • Part of planning, and provided the technology input to a $500 million growth strategy in composite and engineered wood products. • Built up from scratch a technical group with high competence in wood-cement process and product technology which supported newly acquired wood composite operations.• Became the key company resource dealing with federal and provincial jurisdictions on environmental, efficacy and safety issues surrounding lumber treatment chemicals. This activity avoided the enactment of unnecessarily onerous environmental regulations in BC and saved the industry multiple million of dollars in capital equipment. • Adapted novel wood treatment technology and saved the sawmill operations over $5 million through avoiding large product claims.