The Forest Enhancement Society of BC names new executive director

The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) Board of Directors has announced Jason Fisher as its new executive director, replacing Steve Kozuki, the current executive director who is retiring.

“We are so thankful to have had such remarkable candidates apply for this important leadership role,” shared Dave Peterson, board chair of FESBC. “After a comprehensive search, we are delighted to share that Jason Fisher has been selected as the successful candidate. I am thrilled that Jason will be joining our FESBC team; he will be taking on the role officially as of September 4, 2024.”

Seven years ago Fisher worked within the Ministry of Forests and was a part of the team that helped develop FESBC’s structure.

“This opportunity is like a homecoming for me,” stated Fisher, a Registered Professional Forester who was born, raised, and still resides in Prince George. “To be involved with FESBC at the beginning, to watch it create a foundation of respect, funding essential forest enhancement projects throughout the province, to now having the good fortune of being the incoming executive director, it is an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to starting this September.

“FESBC has done great work and is a highly effective organization that is building momentum. One just needs to look at the number of projects the organization has funded and the outcomes of those projects to reduce open burning and utilize wood fibre, to help make communities safer from wildfire, and to protect our precious natural resources to see the value of FESBC. As a forester and a British Columbian, I am both thrilled and humbled to take on this role, which allows the provincial government, the FESBC team and, most importantly, program recipients, to invest in more resilient forests and a more beneficial and equitable vision of forest management, now and for generations to come.”

Kozuki stated that he is “delighted to have someone of Fisher’s calibre take on the role.”

“I am so pleased to have Jason lead FESBC into the future,” Kozuki said. “His deep experience within the forest industry, Indigenous business development, and senior public sector government roles will serve FESBC and the people of British Columbia very well going forward.”