Our Team
John Unger
President & CEO
John is involved in the day-to-day operations and is very committed to finding and developing new markets and products. He got his start in the transportation sector and then spent several years as a lumber and hardware retailer. John enjoys traveling to foreign countries, working in his woodshop, and volunteering his time for various projects within the community. He and his wife, Ruth, have four children and are the proud grandparents of 18 grandchildren.
Barney Wiebe
Sales Manager
A dedicated employee since 1998, Barney started with our company working in the planer. In 2007 he moved from the yard to the office as our Safety Coordinator, then to Pellet Sales in 2011. As of March 2015, Barney has taken the position of Sales Manager, ensuring the quality production and delivery of lumber, pellets, and shavings. When he’s not in the office, Barney can often be found fishing, golfing, cycling, or camping with his family.
Helen Teichroeb
Controller
Our Payroll Clerk and Controller since July 1992, Helen is responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and general accounting as required. When she’s not crunching numbers, Helen enjoys drafting floor plans, walking the local trails, and watching movies with her family.
Frank Neustaeter
Safety Coordinator & Human Resources
Frank started with our company in September of 1998 as a Fire Watch and has spent time working in every department on the yard over the years. He became our Safety Coordinator and Human Resources Advisor in September of 2011 and is currently responsible for managing our COR Certification through the Alberta Forest Products Association, WHMIS, and WCB programs. Frank is also in charge of reviewing employment applications, interviewing, hiring, and conducting tours of the yard. Frank is well known for his auction attendance; he enjoys camping, snowmobiling, and working hard on the family farm.
Aaron Doepel
Woodlands Manager
A part of our staff since November 1997, Aaron is our primary contact in the Woodlands department. Aaron effectively handles the responsibility of technical work related to forest management including planning and operations and correspondingly ensures that production forecasts are met by logging contractors. He manages both external and internal relations and also confirms personal, company and contractor safety. Aaron spends his spare time relaxing after a busy work week by camping, or working on his mechanic skills in his own yard.
Gerry Wieler
Woodlands
Gerry originally started with us in 1995 as a vital part of our Woodlands team and continues in the same position today. He assists the department manager and is continually involved with the planning, operations, auditing, and administration of our annual log haul. Gerry appreciates the outdoors and enjoys spending his time landscaping, camping, and fishing.
Lori Bergen
Office Manager
Lori first worked at La Crete Sawmills in 1999 and worked a few years before and between marriage and babies. Lori has taken on a variety of roles over the years including assisting with Accounts, serving as Receptionist and has been working full time as the Office Manager since October 2018. Lori has a Certificate in Business Admin and is a previous business owner herself. She enjoys interacting with staff and being with her work family, as one can tell by her focus on engaging staff personally and enjoying a good laugh. Lori is an avid hockey mom and enjoys watching her two teenage boys play sports. In the summer, Lori enjoys working on outdoor projects and camping with friends and family as much as possible.
Lori first worked at La Crete Sawmills in 1999 and worked a few years before and between marriage and babies. Lori has taken on a variety of roles over the years including assisting with Accounts, serving as Receptionist and has been working full time as the Office Manager since October 2018. Lori has a Certificate in Business Admin and is a previous business owner herself. She enjoys interacting with staff and being with her work family, as one can tell by her focus on engaging staff personally and enjoying a good laugh. Lori is an avid hockey mom and enjoys watching her two teenage boys play sports. In the summer, Lori enjoys working on outdoor projects and camping with friends and family as much as possible.
Jake Penner
Log Haul Administrator
A part of our staff since August of 2014, Jake coordinates the log haul and is responsible for working alongside owner-operators in assuring the accurate registration of their trucks as well as working with the Woodlands department. During the off-season Jake also serves in our shipping department. When not at work, Jake can be found stock car racing at our local speedway, working on his carpentry, or catching up on the latest hockey news.
Cornie Banman
Sawmill Superintendent & Maintenance Supervisor
An employee since December of 1998, Cornie is currently in charge of all engineering and design on the yard as well as supervising both the welding and mechanic shops. He organizes, prioritizes, and implements all construction and maintenance jobs while upholding the company safety policies. Cornie enjoys working on his yard, travelling, as well as studying and researching various topics.
Peter Wall
Truck Supervisor
A member of our team since 2017, Peter stepped into the role of Truck Supervisor for our 20+ truckers in Fall 2021. Peter boasts many years of experience since starting his trucking career in 2006. Peter serves as the dispatch for our own fleet of trucks. He schedules and assigns drivers to chips, and wood pellet loads that make their way across the province and into the Northwest Territories. He ensures that all trucks are properly registered, insured, and reach their destination in the safest way possible. Peter enjoys the different challenges that come with his role as a Truck Supervisor and seeks to maintain good communication with the truckers. His desire is to build a consistent strong team of truckers. In his personal time, Peter enjoys fishing, camping, running the hobby farm and enjoying time with his wife and six children.
John Unrau
Head Mechanic
First hired for planer maintenance in May of 1998, John has moved on to become a certified heavy equipment technician and the head mechanic for our mobile equipment shop and recently licensed inspection facility. John leads the crew in the mechanic shop to diagnose equipment issues, provide cost estimates, undergo inspections, prioritize maintenance, keep detailed records, and to keep an adequate supply of parts, oils, and grease. John enjoys working on his hobby farm and spends his spare time camping with his family.
Kurtis Peters
Electrical Supervisor
A part of our team since February of 2006 and a licensed electrician since March of 2011, Kurtis serves as our electrical supervisor here at La Crete Sawmills. He is in charge of obtaining all electrical permits, scheduling and prioritizing jobs in correspondence with construction, ordering materials and maintaining his stock of supplies. Off the job, Kurtis enjoys the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Andrew Wiebe
Planer Supervisor
Andrew is involved in the day-to-day Planer operation to get the best quality and production possible. He got his start in the Planer in August 2000 and has worked his way through positions including driving a truck. Andrew took the position of Planer Supervisor in April 2020, ensuring quality and production standards are met. When not at work, Andrew can be found working on small wood projects and fixing old trucks.
David Derksen
Pellet Sales Manager