Meet Mr. Thorlakson
September 5, 2013 3:27 pm Leave your thoughts
Apparently, the name “Mr. Thorlakson” doesn’t fly with Tolko’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
This was just one of the many useful facts that I learned when I sat down with the unassuming, approachable man behind the Vernon-based forest product empire.
Each quarter, Brad Thorlakson meets with ten employees at random in the Vernon Office for a frank, hour-long discussion about Tolko. Tolko’s diverse range of employees was well-represented; employees from sales, human resources, information technology, administration, and logistics attended on Tolko’s rooftop patio with excitement.
Brad meets with employees in a similar manner when he visits our divisions as well.
The honest and personal discussion was refreshingly open. Employees were free to ask questions at will; even yours truly, the HR Intern, was able to ask a few questions and provide feedback on numerous issues affecting the company.
Brad’s views on youth recruitment are particularly interesting. Tolko’s CEO and his leadership team are passionate about finding solutions to issues such as increasing rates of retirement and an older workforce. He realizes that the workforce of tomorrow must be built today, and he is supporting initiatives to attract youth to Tolko, such as The Greenest Workforce campaign through FPAC, and through on-campus recruitment.
Brad also focuses on engaging a world-class workforce. He is constantly seeking pioneering ways to better engage employees, from embracing innovation to supporting employee development. Brad realizes that an engaged workforce is a productive workforce, and that requires great investment in Tolko’s employees. Brad has been, and will be, investing in the Tolko team. The innovation fund has been established to support advancements at a grassroots level, encouraging all employees to pursue ideas to improve the business. Tolko’s total compensation package is also impressive. For young career-builders and experienced professionals alike, Brad is focused on making Tolko an employer of choice to attract, retain, and engage top talent in all fields.
However, most evident was Brad’s unwavering commitment to his employees. There is no doubt that Brad and the company’s shareholders value Tolko employees. It is clear where Tolko’s culture of care began – in the hearts and minds of the officers and shareholders of this storied 57 year-old corporation.
Brad’s willingness to answer any question was astounding for a CEO of a large corporation. Brad is impressive in that he has the business background, knowledge and poise commanded by an executive with levels of modesty and graciousness that I respect. His humbleness and honesty follows in the footsteps of his predecessors: his father and his grandfather. Much like the past two CEOs, he is proud of what his team has accomplished, but quietly so; after all, the Thorlakson name is on the front door – but you can call him Brad.
Tolko’s 2012 Awards of Excellence recipients with CEO Brad Thorlakson center. A great group of very deserving recipients! Image courtesy of Tolko www.facebook.com/pages/Tolko-Industries-Ltd