Management Team Biographies
Mr. Sandhu has over thirty years experience in the forest industry of British Columbia. After spending ten years in middle and senior management positions with a major forest products company, Gian ventured into his own business establishing Jackpine in 1987. He is a recognized leader in innovation, productivity and marketing for the value-added products sector of the forest industry. His record of consistently generated profits and revenue growth since the inception of Jackpine and surviving the current trade softwood lumber trade dispute are testament to his business acumen.
Mr. Sandhu has an MBA, a Business Administration degree and is a Certified Professional Purchaser. Mr. Sandhu has been and is actively involved in various social, cultural, educational, civic and professional organizations. Including:
In recognition of his technological innovation and success in business, commerce and industry, Gian was presented with the 2002 Order of British Columbia.
Having spent 32 years in the forest industry from forest worker in his university days; to engineer and mill manager, after graduation from UBC with his engineering degree in 1979, Roger joined the Jackpine team to take firm control of the engineered wood products side our our group. Roger's background in engineering, management and remanufacturing makes him some one to watch on the Jackpine team.
Roger's extensive work on various committees using his education and experience has helped further the works of these professional organizations. These committees include:
Mr. Drift manages Jackpine’s original plant, Jackpine Forest Products Ltd, and also deals with Jackpine’s remaining silviculture obligations. As Jackpine’s youngest member of our management team, he represents Jackpine’s investment in the future. Zach graduated from UBC in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and became a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) in 2001. Zach started with Jackpine in 2000 and worked his way up through our woodlands division before moving into plant operations. Since taking on the role of Operations Manager, he has quickly grasped the fundamentals of Jackpine’s production and sales strategy’s, earning him the respect of his staff and fellow management team.
Linda Hillegeist joined Jackpine Group in 1999 as Executive Assistant to Gian Singh Sandhu, President and CEO. Over 20 years of Business Administration experience has prepared Linda to be an effective member of Jackpine’s management team. Linda attended BCIT Administration and Finance programs as well as a variety of Leadership courses.