Williams Lake, B.C.: Joe Webster, operations manager at Tsi Del Del Biomass Ltd., a joint venture owned by Tŝideldel First Nation and Tolko Industries Limited, has been recognized with an honourable mention as Champion of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Biomass Awards, which were celebrated on April 18, 2024. This recognition is a testament to Webster’s exceptional leadership in the biomass industry and innovative fibre-recovery projects that have transformed waste wood into green power and value-added products, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting wildfire mitigation across British Columbia.
“It is an honour to be recognized by Canadian Biomass among so many leaders in this industry,” said Webster, reflecting on this accomplishment. “I am so humbled that there are people I work in collaboration with who would take the time to put my name forward for this honour - I am very thankful to them for their kind words and their nomination. I would also like to share that I appreciate the positive changes I’ve seen in the industry, specifically with First Nations having more and more opportunities to take the lead in doing good forest management work on their traditional territories. I am honoured to collaborate with the Tsi Del Del Biomass team, a company owned and operated by Tŝideldel First Nation.”
The Canadian Biomass Awards celebrate outstanding individuals, companies, and communities working passionately to advance the country’s bioeconomy.
“Canadian Biomass is proud to honour the best and brightest in the industry. It’s important for us to take a step back and recognize the hard work of professionals day-in and day-out across the country,” said Anne Beswick, group publisher for Canadian Biomass. “The work Joe Webster does at Tsi Del Del Biomass is a great example of the innovative and hardworking spirit that pushes the biomass industry forward. His work around roadside logging and slash grinding impressed the judges, and we are proud to honour him as a Champion of the Year for 2024.”
Webster’s journey in the biomass industry started in 2008, coinciding with the temporary closure of the Williams Lake sawmills. As a visionary, he embarked on a mission to modify equipment to access roadside logging slash piles, aiming to design a grinder capable of working through stumps and deep snow. Eventually, his relationship with grinder manufacturer Peterson Pacific resulted in the adaptation of grinders to suit his vision, marking a significant milestone in the industry.
Since then, Webster has also helped build Tsi Del Del Biomass into one of the largest biomass companies in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, supporting and maintaining jobs at secondary manufacturing plants such as Drax pellet plant, Atlantic Power, Cariboo Pulp and Kruger.
Percy Guichon, executive director of Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd., a joint venture company owned by the Tŝideldel First Nation and the Tl’etinqox Government, expressed pride in Webster’s impact on the industry.
“Our entire team would like to extend our congratulations to Joe Webster for being acknowledged for this honour,” shared Percy Guichon, executive director of Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. “The work Joe does in collaboration with us is making a difference, helping to create environmental solutions to wood waste in our traditional territory, and providing good paying jobs for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We are grateful for the positive contributions and innovative mindset he brings to his work.”
Under Webster’s guidance, biomass projects offering innovative solutions that engage policy and decision-makers have been delivered, contributing to the industry’s future successes.
For more information or an interview with Joe Webster:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, Tŝideldel Development Corporation, 250.574.0221 aleece@amplifyinc.ca