Our Story
Welcome to Peak Renewables, your gateway to greener and more sustainable energy solutions.
At Peak Renewables, we are committed to driving the global transition towards renewable energy sources, with a primary focus on sustainable woody biomass and wood products. We proudly collaborate with North American manufacturing partners and work closely with Canadian Indigenous peoples and rural communities across North America to create a more prosperous and environmentally responsible world.
Our Mission
Peak Renewables is a catalyst for change in the energy industry and wood products sector. We are dedicated to harnessing the power of renewable resources and sustainable practices to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure a sustainable, clean energy future.
Our mission is to develop a portfolio of wood pellet and manufacturing projects that focuses on sustainability, partnerships with Indigenous communities, and the repurposing of legacy industrial sites. We are driven by the goal of creating jobs in rural areas and small communities, fostering a sense of local pride, and enhancing the long-term health of our planet. Our commitment lies in promoting responsible environmental practices, economic growth, and social well-being.
BRIAN FEHR – Founder & Chairman
As chairman and founder of Peak Renewables, Brian plays a pivotal role in providing leadership and strategic direction for the company. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the economic revitalization of rural communities in BC, along with his position as Chairman Emeritus of the BID Group, a billion-dollar company that he founded and built. Brian’s desire to use high-tech equipment to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs led to the development of several proprietary technologies including an innovative biomass energy system that uses wood waste, once burned by the forest industry, to lower energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Notable companies that use Brian’s technology include Canfor, Tolko, West Fraser Timber, and Georgia Pacific. In 2018, Brian was awarded the Order of BC for his commitment to rural growth and contribution to sustainability of the forest industry.
GRACE WIRANATA – Chief Financial Officer
Grace is seasoned senior finance executive who brings a unique combination of education and experience to her role. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering combined with a master’s degree in Finance. Over the last 25 years Grace has held a variety of progressively senior positions throughout her career in multi-national companies, across various industries. Grace has held positions ranging from Plant Manager and Country Manager in multi-national manufacturing companies, to CFO and President of a media conglomerate. Prior to joining Peak, her most recent position was as Vice President of Finance and Accounting with a multinational industrial goods manufacturing company with operations in North America, Europe, and South America.
ERIK MUNCK, P. Eng. – Vice President – Projects
Erik has held executive positions and leadership roles in a wide variety of heavy industries, specializing in engineered wood products. He is a professional engineer with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta.
Erik assisted with the design and construction of Tolko’s High Prairie OSB plant and Norbord’s Grande Prairie OSB plant when both plants were the first to use 12′ wide forming and press lines. He became Engineering Manager for Weyerhaeuser’s OSB business and then Engineering Manager (OSB) for Tolko Industries. Erik was directly responsible for the engineering and construction of Tolko’s newest OSB/EWP plant at Slave Lake, Alberta, which has the longest OSB continuous press in the world. He was also Stantec’s Director of Global Project Development, Wood Products, where he served as Stantec’s subject matter expert for panel manufacturing and EWP. Most recently, Erik was CEO of SmartLam North America, a new manufacturer of mass timber systems.
MARK CUNNINGHAM – GM OSB Operations
With over three decades of experience in the wood products industry, Mark is renowned for his unwavering commitment to safety and his people-oriented leadership. His journey began with the exciting launch of Ainsworth’s value-added plant in 100 Mile House, B.C. Notably, Mark also managed the Grande Prairie OSB plant, which boasts a sister press to the asset installed in Fort Nelson BC.
Mark’s exceptional people skills were on display as he played a vital role in supporting Ainsworth during their acquisitions of the Barwick Ontario plant from Boise Cascade and the Grand Rapids plant from Potlatch. In 2013, he took on the challenge of building and leading the operations team that successfully completed the commissioning and restart of Tolko’s Slave Lake OSB/EWP plant, the largest continuous press, producing OSB mill in the world.
DANIEL ST. GELAIS – Senior Environmental Engineer
Daniel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from Laval University, graduating in 1986 and 1988, respectively. He quickly transitioned to Western Canada, where he built a career as an environmental engineer and project manager, working in various locations, including Alberta, B.C., Northern Europe, Indonesia, Africa, and the Philippines. Within three years, he became an environmental manager for top consulting firms in Canada.
Daniel’s innovative contributions in the environmental sector led to him becoming a mentor for the Canadian Military Forces and providing environmental training for leading Canadian consulting firms.
Since August 2019, Daniel has served as the Environmental and Sustainable Energy Director at the Brian Fehr Group (BFG). In this role, he manages environmental investigations for mill site acquisitions, engages with the Ministry of Environment, and contributes to site repurposing for optimal economic use.
SCOTT SEMENUK – GM, Chetwynd
Scott has a 30-year career in the pulp and paper industry, starting at the Chetwynd BCTMP plant in 1991 and progressively advancing up to management roles by 2007. As a Shift Supervisor he oversaw all Production Supervisors, focusing on safety and production optimization.
Scott’s unwavering commitment to safety led him to serving on the Emergency Response Team at LP, participation in mine rescue efforts, and he chaired various health and safety committees throughout his career. Since the Chetwynd site closed in 2015, Scott manages site security, safety, and environmental compliance while handling day-to-day operations.
JUSTIN NAPOLEON – VP – Community Relations
Justin is a strong relationship builder, committed to building respectful relationships between industries and small communities. Along with a background in government and community relations, he brings experience, strength and integrity to the work of addressing complex challenges in the natural resource sector.
Outside of work, Justin enjoys watching his kids play hockey and spending time fishing with his
family.
Open – Chief Forester