Project Team
Our Management
Jan Karnik, B.Sc., MBA
President
Jan has over 25 years of experience in the OSB/ OSL projects. From concept to design and finally to construction support involved in all phases of a project.
These phases include pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, project definition reports, process and mechanical engineering for plant design, also plant and process equipment playout. In addition, Jan also specializes in project engineering and management, process calculations and production modelling.
Jim McMahon, P.Eng.
Vice President
Jim Mc Mahon joined KTC Group in 2005 as a Project Manager. Jim has a broad
range of experience in industries from Oil Sands production early in his career to oil field production consulting in Texas, Wyoming, Libya and Alberta to Pulp and Paper and Mining technologies.
Since 2005 Jim has a been managing projects of expanded scope within the OSB, Pulp and Paper and industrial sectors, ranging from pipping systems within research hospitals to LVL Plant construction management in Russia. Supporting clients with cost estimating, permit applications, project scheduling and site start-up are also areas of specialty he is passionate about.
Jowan Toor, P.Eng, M.Eng, PMP.
Vice President of Operation
Jowan serves as the Vice President of Operations at KTC, bringing extensive experience in construction management. Jowan holds a Master of Engineering Degree from the University of Alberta and is licensed P.Eng with PMP certification.
His expertise spans a broad range of project activities, including project engineering, project management, process design, equipment design, estimating, procurement, costing, and construction management. His diverse background includes hands-on, practical experience obtained through working closely with operations and maintenance staff at operating facilities.
Over 15 years of experience of successfully completed both greenfield and brownfield projects across various scales within the wood industry, as well as in commercial, infrastructural and residential construction sectors. Jowan has successfully completed numerous smaller capital projects including sawmills, wood rooms, plywood plants, pellet plants & OSB plants. Jowan has earned a reputation as the "go-to guy" among clients for his on-site presence and his ability to ensure that project construction and commissioning are executed smoothly.
John Karnik
Director
John Karnik is an OSB Process Specialist and has one of the longest standing reputations for excellence in the industry.
He has over forty-one years experience in the OSB industry and forty-five years experience with manufacturing processes, engineering, detailed designs, and fabrication. He has been instrumental in managing the construction of forest product facilities, woodrooms, general material handling for board plants, sawmills and pulp and paper mills. His knowledge and expertise is available to help streamline processes and provide additional guidance.
Our Project Managers
Rod de Sequera
Senior Project Manager
Rod is one of KTC’s most experienced project managers. He has extensive experience in multi-discipline projects from upgrades and maintenance to green field and capital projects of value of up to $265 million. Rod’s project experience includes scope definition, process design, planning, capital cost preparation, contract & execution strategy, procurement, scheduling, conceptual & detailed engineering, and construction site assistance.
Prior to joining KTC in 2012 Rod held design, senior management and Project Manager positions with various engineering companies in Vancouver, while heavily focused on the Wood Industry. He has served in various capacities for over 30 years.
Rod obtained his training at Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines (B.Sc.) in Architecture and Planning. His professional development has included courses in Building Technology and Project Management.
Brian Tressel
Project Manager - Design Lead
Brian has been involved in various engineering aspects of the forest products industry for over 40 years. During that time, he has worked both in the solid wood products sector as well as in the engineered wood products sector. On the solid wood products side, he worked for companies that designed and manufactured log handling equipment, primary breakdown equipment, lumber handling equipment and lumber drying equipment. His work in the engineered wood products side has been mainly on the consulting engineering side but has also consisted of detailed equipment design. In addition, Brian has been involved in the mining industry from a consulting engineering perspective on a proposed green-field copper & gold mine.
Brian has a diploma from BCIT in Mechanical Technology in addition to courses in structural analysis and design.
Don Hildebrand, B.S.M.E., P.Eng.
Project Manager (Senior Mechanical Engineer)
Don is KTC’s Senior Project Engineer with vast on-site and hands-on experience. As a Mechanical Engineer, he has extensive and in-depth knowledge of energy/drying systems, pneumatic systems, piping design, and materials handling systems. Working for equipment Suppliers, Don has gained invaluable knowledge of their systems, has commissioned and trouble shot them.
Don’s Project Experience includes: Scope Definition, Process Design, Planning, Capital Cost Preparation, Contract & Execution Strategy, Procurement, Scheduling, Conceptual & Detailed Engineering, and Construction Site Assistance.
Don has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Lakehead University and has completed other professional development at BCIT in Mechanical Technology and drafting courses. He is a member of the Engineers & Geoscientists of BC.
Robert Cen, P.Eng.
Project Manager (Electrical Engineer)
Robert is a Senior Electrical Engineer with over 25 years of electrical experience, mostly with heavy industrial projects involving power generation and power distribution. He excels in power system studies (EasyPower, SKM), transformer and motor protection, arc flash and short circuit analysis, protective relaying coordination and generator synchronization and power management. His diverse design experience includes HV/LV substations, transformers, switchgear, MCC, PLC programming for oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining, marine terminal, municipalities, and various industrial facilities. He has designed electrical power and control systems for over 100 clients throughout BC, North America and overseas.
Robert holds various memberships including EGBC, APEGA, APEGS and ShenZhen (China) Engineers Association.
