Meet Brooke! Brooke is a lumber grader and infeed operator here at Kalesnikoff, juggling his time between our two facilities. AA grading certified and MSR certified, Brooke has been an asset to our team for more than ten years.
(Above: Brooke Finch representing Kalesnikoff in the 2010 grading competition slideshow)
Brooke started grading in 1996. Winning B.C’s first time writer high score, he was presented with a trophy from Tall Timbers at the coastal grading agency in Surrey. Coincidentally, Brooke’s neighbor in Chilliwack was a grading instructor as well as a coastal grading champion (a different championship than the interior’s) and asked if Brooke would be interested in going to the 2002 interior championship with him, where he finished 31st with a 70% score. Brooke’s second attempt was in 2010 while he was working for Kalesnikoff and finished in 22nd place with a score of 75%. In 2019, Brooke placed 12th with a score of 80%. Regarding his grading competitions, Brooke shared with us, “I love the challenge of competing in whatever I do and continuing to learn as much about wood structure as I can.”
Read below for a full Q&A with Brooke.
Q: How long have you been with Kalesnikoff?
A: I have been in the industry for 35 years and 12 years at Kalesnikoff
Q: What is your position with the company?
A: Lumber grader and infeed operator
Q: Why Kalesnikoff?
A: I like working for a family owned company.
Q: What is your favourite thing about working here?
A: There is plenty of opportunity to gain different experience. I also enjoy being involved in our training.
Q: Can you explain a little bit about your education/training and qualifications at Kalesnikoff?
A: I have my AA grading certificate and MSR certification which helped me assist in getting our MSR program up and running.
Q: Are you originally from the Kootenay area? What do you love most about living here?
A: I went to high school in Burnaby and moved to Chilliwack after school. As for living in the Kootenays now, I like the weather, the golfing and the fishing.
Q: What can we find you doing in your spare time?
A: Travelling, fishing and playing golf with my buddies.
