Meet the National Executive
Fred Pinto, R.P.F., President
Mr. Pinto is the Conifer Program Leader with the Southern Science and Information Section of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources where he is responsible for developing solutions to issues related to policy and practice related to conifer ecosystems”. He has been instrumental in the implementation of ecosystem-based silviculture in Ontario and he continues to play an important role in the development and implementation of old growth, regeneration and resource planning policy. Mr. Pinto has been an active member of the Institute for many years, and also finds the time to volunteer for various community activities such as the City of North Bay’s “Community in Blooms” program.
Peter Marshall, Ph.D, RPF, Vice-President
Peter is a professor and associate dean in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. Peter completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Forestry at the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of British Columbia. He has been working for the University of British Columbia since 1981. Peter has been active throughout his career in both technical and professional activities. He is a former president of the Association of British Columbia Forest Professionals and continues to serve on their Admissions Appeals and Complaints Resolution committees. He has been the British Columbia representative on the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board since 1996. He also remains active in a number of technical areas related to his research interests in growth and yield and sampling designs. Peter was awarded the Canadian Forestry Achievement Award by the Canadian Institute of Forestry in 2005 in recognition of his contributions over his career.
Anne LeBrun Ruff, RPF, 2nd Vice President
Ms. LeBrun Ruff graduated from the Université de Moncton, Edmundston Campus, New Brunswick in 1998, receiving her Bachelor of Science - Forestry degree from the Faculty of Forestry. She was previously employed as the Executive Director of the Association of Registered Professional Foresters of New Brunswick. Her immediate focus since taking on the responsibilities of Executive Director has involved lobbying for the implementation of the Right-to-Practice legislation on behalf of the Association in cooperation with the New Brunswick Forest Technicians Association. She has recently began a new position with the Canadian Forest SErvice of Natural Resources Canada as a Knowledge Transfer Specialist. Ms. LeBrun Ruff is also an active member of the Canadian Federation of Professional Foresters Association. She has her own consulting business, offering services in conference planning, development of educational tools and translation. Ms. LeBrun Ruff is actively involved with the Fundy Model Forest in New Brunswick with the new program Forest Communities of Natural Resources Canada. Her expertise in both the forestry and the educational fields has led to a variety of appointments and volunteer work for many non-profit organizations. Ms. LeBrun Ruff was instrumental in establishing a network of extension professionals in the Atlantic Region called ‘Networking Across Borders’.
John Pineau, Executive Director
John Pineau has been Executive Director of the Institute since September 2006. Prior to that time, he worked as a full-time consultant to the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership as Extension Manager, and with the Lake Abitibi Model Forest on a variety of projects including four years as Chair of their Education and Public Awareness Committee. During his career, John has worked for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in a variety of locations and capacities including as Park Naturalist, Communications Officer, Park Planner and G.I.S. Specialist. He was employed by Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. in Alberta as G.I.S. Manager and Biologist from 1994 to 2000. John currently resides near Mattawa, Ontario with his wife Elizabeth and their four children. He has a degree in Biology from Trent University (1983) and a diploma in G.I.S. Application Development from Sir Sandford Fleming College (1991). In his spare time, John is an enthusiastic wilderness canoeist who also enjoys golf and tennis. He is a folk musician, playing guitar and singing, especially around campfires. He has also recently become a dedicated, if somewhat challenged carpenter.
