VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - The Council of Forest Industries (COFI) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of James Gorman as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 23, 2013.

Gorman brings extensive public policy and senior management experience to his new role. He most recently served the Government of British Columbia as the Deputy Minister of Advanced Education and prior to that as Deputy of Education (K-12) and the BC Public Service Agency.

His accomplishments include transforming the BC Public Service into a top employer; expanding the province's K-12 education brand into international markets; and managing complex labor relations files on behalf of government.

"We are exceptionally pleased to have James joining us", stated Nick Arkle, COFI Board Chair, "as his experience at the highest levels of the public service will be instrumental in helping us shape an exciting and productive future for our forest industry and the employees and communities that depend upon it."

Gorman has a Masters Degree in Political Science from McGill University and a Bachelors Degree from the University of British Columbia.

The Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is the voice of the BC interior forest industry. COFI members vary in size and produce lumber, pulp and paper, panels and engineered wood products at more than 60 facilities across the interior. All share a commitment to a future based on employee safety, sustainable forestry and manufacturing practices, and innovative product development.

Source: Council of Forest Industries