Catalyst Paper Corporation Powell River Division vice president and general manager Fred Chinn has left the Richmond-based company.
In a bulletin to staff on January 18, Chinn said he regretted to announce his departure to pursue a career opportunity outside the company.
“I write this message with very mixed emotions,” stated Chinn in the bulletin. “I am truly saddened to leave Powell River and all the dedicated people who I have felt honoured to work with over the past several years.”
Catalyst director of communications Eduarda Hodgins confirmed that Chinn has left the company and Walter Tarnowsky, vice president and general manager of the Port Alberni mill, has been named acting vice president and Powell River mill manager.
Chinn took charge of the Powell River operation in 2014 during challenging times and launched a revitalization program.
“Revitalization initiatives resulted in our site saving millions of dollars in operating costs,” said Chinn.
One of Chinn’s first acts as vice president and general manager in Powell River was shutting down paper machine number nine and then overseeing a transition from just traditional newsprint to high-stock printing papers and specialty products. Most recently, the mill was working on rolling out new paper towel and food-grade paper products.
Chinn said in the bulletin that his last day at the Powell River mill was January 26.
Chinn had been with Catalyst since 2009. He has also been on Tla’amin Nation’s operating board of directors since 2016.
