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Tolko Industries Ltd. announced that J. Allan (Al) Thorlakson has stepped down as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tolko Industries Ltd. to take on the role of Executive Chairman.

The Board of Directors has selected Brad Thorlakson, President of Tolko Marketing and Sales Ltd., to assume the leadership position.  "Knowing that Tolko is getting through this unprecedented downturn in relatively strong shape certainly contributes to my comfort in stepping down at this time," says Al, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday.

Al will continue to actively represent the company with select external relationships and associations. John Thorlakson will continue as an active board member, while providing his analytical perspective and mentorship to the company's management team.

Tolko was founded more than 50 years ago as a private, family owned business in BC's interior. As the third generation of Thorlakson leadership, the selection of Brad ensures that the values that have driven the company continue.

Brad Thorlakson joined the company in 1978 progressing through every area of the business. He currently heads Tolko Marketing and Sales Ltd. in addition to his responsibilities for the strand based business, Premium 1 Papers, and serving as a director on the boards of several industry companies and associations. "I am extremely proud of this company and everyone in it," says Brad. "We have outstanding employees led by a strong senior management team who have successfully lead Tolko through the most challenging period in its history."

Tolko Industries Ltd. is a private, Canadian-owned forest products company based in Vernon, British Columbia. Tolko is a major producer and marketer of lumber, veneer, plywood, oriented strand board, and kraft papers, with manufacturing operations across Western Canada. The Company's Woodlands operations have received third-party certification of their sustainable forest management systems.