We are Pioneer Forest Consulting
PIONEER is a company in demand, a company with a reputation for professionalism, high quality work, and cost competitiveness. Today, we are seeing tremendous changes in the forest industry with pressures on timber supply, changing markets, and rising costs. Having a company that can provide you with what you need when you need it is vitally important so you can react to market conditions and improve your bottom line. We can do that for you.
As a company, we will move forward over the next ten years with the resolve and focus to build on our past accomplishments, and with a strong vision for a vibrant, responsible, sustainable tomorrow.
Forestry Consulting Done Right!
We not only honor commitments, but are known for meeting tough deadlines while delivering nothing but the best.
Pioneer Forest Consulting has been in operation since the spring of 1996 marking this as our 21st year in business. Over that time we have seen several changes in the industry and considerable developments in technology. Pioneer prides itself on staying on the leading edge of technological advancements in our industry so we can provide our clients with a better product at reduced costs.
Our Mission
We strive to maintain the highest standards while exceeding client’s expectations at all levels.
We not only honor commitments, but are known for meeting tough deadlines while delivering nothing but the best.
We aim to create a responsive client relationship that allows us to meet and even exceed the goals of each of our projects.
Our Team
Pioneer has a fulltime staff of 20 including GIS technicians, RPF’s, and RFT’s.
Pioneer’s employees are a dedicated group of resource professionals committed to
providing our clients what they want, when they want it, for a competitive price.
Mark Dascher, RPF
President
I have worked in the forest industry since 1986. Starting in the fire fighting field with helitack and rapattack. From there I took my forest tech diploma and later my degree in Forestry. I have consulted for years as well as working as a forester for industry. I truly enjoy the field of forestry consulting and along with my wife and three young children we enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and everything it has to offer.
Trent Rivet, RFT
Operations Manager
10+ years with Pioneer Forest Consulting Ltd
With 20+ years of experience in the Forest Industry, Trent is a graduate from the Forest Technology Program at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC. Trent first came to Pioneer as a Senior Layout Tech. Over the years he has taken on the lead roles in forest planning and other projects such as ROW clearing for BC Hydro. Trent later became the Operations Manager for Pioneer which requires taking on the day to day operations of the company. In his spare time he can be found enjoying the outdoors, such skiing, hiking and camping with his wife and two boys.
Claude Schweizer, RPF
Project Manager
I moved to Canada in 1984 and to the Kootenays in 1992. I graduated in 2000 with a B.Sc in Natural Resources Management (forestry major) from the University of Northern British Columbia and became a BC Registered Professional Forester in 2004. I have been part of the Pioneer forestry team since 2000. During my more than 25 years in forest resources management, I was incredibly fortunate to work on a wide range of forestry projects for a very diverse and great clientele. In addition of building good working relationships with clients and team members, my work opportunities over the years allowed me to gain knowledge, practical experience, and proficiency in all phases of pre-harvest planning and field work, silviculture, forest health, and in road/fireguard deactivation. Beside being involved in multi-year forestry contracts and woodlot management, my recent work has focused on wildfire risk reduction planning and implementation in the Golden area. My spare time is mostly spent reading, travelling, and exploring our great outdoors with my partner and friends.
Ryan Jones, RFT
Senior Forest Engineer
I have been with Pioneer for 11 years and in the forest industry for 18 years. I cut my teeth in the Golden and Revelstoke areas and have truly enjoyed the challenge and adventure that this region has to offer. We have great diversity in this company, which allows us to tackle a broad spectrum of work. This in turn keeps the job exciting and offers new learning experiences for all of us. In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, motorsports, and any adventure.
Shiloh Zayac, BNRSc, FIT
Safety Coordinator
I love spending time in the mountains and forests, so I chose a career in forestry and Golden as my home. I’ve been working in the forest industry since 1995, with varied experience including silviculture, timber cruising, layout and supervision. I have a Bachelor of Natural Resource Sciences from Thompson Rivers University and I am currently a forester in training. I enjoy spending time with my family as well as mountain biking, skiing, hiking, hunting and growing food.
Ben Arlt BSc, FIT
Forest Technician
I started at Pioneer Forest Consulting in 2018 after completing my Bachelor of Science in Geography at the University of Calgary. I really enjoy working at Pioneer on the various projects they take on and being able to apply my love for the outdoors. Outside of work I like to go skiing, hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting.
Josh Schuh, FIT
Forest Technician
I started working at Pioneer Forest Consulting in 2021 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Geography and am currently working towards becoming an RPF. Outside of work I enjoy spending my time rock climbing in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Erika Mihell, FIT
Forester in Training
Erika is originally from northern Ontario, where she began her forestry career participating in various biomass, forest health, and soils research studies for the Ontario Forest Research Institute. She started working for Pioneer in 2021 after graduating with a degree in Forestry from Lakehead University and is currently working towards becoming an RPF. Since moving to BC, she has gained experience in the mountains through timber cruising, block layout, and participating in wildfire risk reduction projects. Her main field partner is a black lab named Gord, who is in the early beginnings of his bush dog career. Outside of work, much of her time is spent appreciating the local area and tending to her abundance of garden squash.