Pat
Guidera
It is our pleasure to profile Alumnus, Pat Guidera in our Spring 2009 issue of Landmark. Patrick's working career began in 1975 with the Alberta Forest Service as a Timber Management Technician cruising timber in Alberta's North. Working positions he has held include Junior Forest Ranger Supervisor, Tower Man, Forest Guardian, District Forest Officer, Silviculture Technician, Land-Use Officer, Forestry Consultant, Teaching Assistant at the University of Alberta, Forest Management Instructor at the Hinton Environmental Training Centre, Regional Executive Director in the Southern East Slopes Region located at Rocky Mountain House and Executive Director with the Department of Agriculture managing the Rural Development Strategy. Patrick now leads the bio-economy initiatives for the Department of Sustainable Resource Development.
Patrick's recent role as Forest Business and Bio-economy Initiatives Director focuses on the development and support of the forest industry regarding bio-economy opportunities. Patrick holds responsibility for sustainable development of forest business throughout Alberta and ensures returns to citizens is maximized. Direct value-added and commercialization programs for bio-energy, forest products, and refinery activities undertaken by forest industry are overseen by his Section. Interacting with cross Departmental teams, Patrick ensures collaborative response to the forest community, industry policy direction and programs. He oversees bio-economy business with regards to Energy's grant program, governance, and planning. Spearhead product development, as well as harvest and manufacturing innovation research through FP Innovation Alliance agreement and FERIC extension services.
Patrick has a Forest Technologists Diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (1979), Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Alberta (1992), and a Diploma of Advanced Silviculture from the University of British Columbia (1997). He is a Registered Professional Forester (1993) and a Director with the College of Alberta Professional Foresters.
Patrick acts as key advisor to the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers on the “Social and Economic Sustainability Working Group.” As well, Patrick is on the Resource Industry Suppliers Association as a Director.
Patrick resides in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife Michelle and handsome cat Buddy. His main source of fun is as a member of the Cabin Fever Bluegrass Band, famous among seniors.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2009 Landmark newsletter.