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Giving Back

Congratulations to the winners of Canfor's 2025 Community Builder Award!

Canfor is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Builder Award, recognizing employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication to strengthening the communities where they live and work. This annual award honors individuals who go above and beyond in their volunteer efforts, creating a meaningful and lasting impact both inside and outside the workplace.

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One winner was selected from the United States and the other from Canada, each recognized for their unwavering commitment to improving their local communities. Both have had a lasting impact – within our company and in the communities where they generously volunteer their time.

This year’s recipients are:

Chris Bertucci, Electrical & Process Control Coordinator, Prince George, British Columbia

Chris Smith, Maintenance Supervisor, Union County, Arkansas

Each honoree will receive a $5,000 donation to direct to the charitable organization of their choice, further supporting the causes they passionately serve.

Chris Bertucci: Driving community spirit through sport

Chris has been a valued member of the Canfor team for 20 years. As the Electrical & Process Control Coordinator, he plays a pivotal role in managing, developing, and improving electrical systems and automation processes that keep our operations running smoothly.

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With over 25 years of experience as an electrician and two decades in sawmill maintenance, Chris brings unmatched technical expertise to our team. Yet, his contributions extend well beyond the workplace.

From athlete to advocate

Chris’ passion for community is deeply rooted in his long-standing involvement with the Prince George Ski Club. A former competitive skier in the 1990s, he returned to the club with his children, sharing his love of the sport and quickly stepping into a leadership role. Over the past 12 years, Chris has served as a board member, coach, chaperone, and President of the club. Today, he continues to support the organization as Past President, mentoring current leaders and helping to preserve the club’s rich history and mission.

Chris’ commitment to the community extends beyond the Prince George Ski Club. He is a board member at Hart Ski Hill, a volunteer-run ski facility in Prince George, and dedicates his time as a high school ski coach – helping grow student participation in competitive skiing over the past two years.

Honoring a true community champion

Alongside the award, Chris’ outstanding volunteerism will be honored through a $5,000 donation to the Prince George Ski Club, a place that has given so much to him and his family. The donation will help replace aging equipment and support ongoing programs – ensuring that future generations of skiers can continue to make lasting memories on the slopes just as Chris and his family have.

Chris Smith: A mission of recovery and hope

Chris Smith recently joined the Canfor team in August of last year, as part of Canfor’s acquisition of Resolute. Though new to Canfor, Chris quickly made an impact through his leadership and dedication. He supervises what he proudly describes as the best maintenance and electricians’ team, crediting them for making his job easier every day.

From personal experience to purpose-driven action

Chris’ passion for giving back extends far beyond the workplace. He’s the co-founder of the Illumination Foundation, a recovery housing program in El Dorado, Arkansas. The foundation was born from a personal need observed by his wife, Nicole, who worked in medical detox.

That need sparked a grassroots effort. Chris started with a small two-bedroom, one-bath house, which he spent hours remodeling into a livable condition. Today, the Illumination Foundation operates out of four fully occupied houses and is one of the first programs in Arkansas that has been accredited by the National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR).

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Changing lives, one step at a time

Today, Chris plays a hands-on role, working one-on-one with patients, offering hope and resources to empower them through addiction and help them create a thriving life. The foundation’s mission is centered around compassion: giving individuals the necessary tools to sustain lifelong recovery and reduce criminogenic behavior by integrating faith, science, and community to deliver a holistic, unique approach that heals the mind, body and spirit.

Chris lives this mission because he’s walked the path himself. “We do recover,” he shares. His sobriety date is March 5, 2005, a powerful testament to the hope and possibility he now helps others find.

Chris will donate the $5,000 to the Illumination Foundation, where he will continue to change the lives of others, one step at a time.

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