Our People
DAVID KAUFMAN, PRESIDENT
David Kaufman was born in Manitoba, attending grade school in Griswold followed by graduation from the University of Manitoba.
David has been a force in the community through his leadership in business and the not-for-profit sector.
He has served 15 years on the Board of the Winnipeg Foundation and also 15 years with the Board of National Trust. David also served on the boards of Insurance Company of the West and Western Financial Savings Bank (Westcorp) which are major financial institutions in the state of California.
David is currently the president of Silpit Industries Co. Ltd. a company affiliated with Brown & Rutherford.
DON BOND, GENERAL AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
As I write this in 2005, I have been in the lumber industry for 25 years, the last 21 with B&R. I am proud to be part of a 133 year old "Winnipeg institution" and its team.
I basically "grew up" at B&R and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from all the previous general managers over the past 21 years. They were all excellent people and I appreciate everything that they have taught me.
In 2004 I had the opportunity to become part of the ownership of the company as well as taking on the duites of general manager.
I am very proud of the B&R team and remain committed to both our individual and collective success. Taking on the general manager's role as well as sales, I have a renewed appreciation as to all the matters that make a successful business. It is time consuming but also very rewarding.
When I'm not working to "make saw dust", I can be found at the family cottage with my wife and best friend, Debbie, along with our 3 teenagers/adult "kids". We love fixing our motorized "toys", then playing with them until they break again and then, attempt to fix them again! Its an ongoing and vicious cycle.
donbond@BandRwood.com
PETER DEBENHAM, CONTROLLER
Peter Debenham earned a marketing degree from the University of NSW in Sydney in 1972 and then changed direction towards the accountancy profession on the advice of his father.
Peter says: "I followed my brother into marketing because it looked sexy and exciting, however, when I couldn't read a Balance Sheet my father told me to stop mucking around and become an accountant!"
Peter became a Chartered Accountant in 1978 and then decided to see the world arriving in Montreal in 1979. He worked in Montreal and Calgary before marrying a Canadian and settling in Winnipeg in 1981.
Peter joined Silpit and B&R in 1988 as controller and purchased a small interest in B&R in 2005.
Peter lives with his wife Joanne and 3 children. He particularly enjoys his local community club where he volunteers and coached hockey and baseball. He is also active with The Down Under Club of Winnipeg which has hosted an Australia/New Zealand pavilion at Folklorama.
Peter's business philosophy (derived from his marketing background) is to identify our customers' needs and satisfy those needs and we will be successful.
peter@BandRwood.com
TODD MONDOR, PRODUCTION MANAGER
I represent the 3rd generation of "Mondors" to work in the production area of B&R which is quite an achievement. Since starting with B&R in the 1970's, I have been witness to a lot of changes over the years. In recent years we have focused on areas where we excell which has been very gratifying. I stand behind B&R's reputation for quality and look forward to the coming years. Quality control is my responsibility and I take this duty very seriously. The future looks good.
When not hard at work, I enjoy golfing, baseball, bowling and spending time with my two children.
todd@BandRwood.com
DALE CARROTHERS, SALES MANAGER
I have over 15 years experience in the lumber industry. I enjoy my career in the wood remanufacturing business and consider myself fortunate to be associated with a company that adheres to the highest quality standards in the industry.
My responsibilities are to manage all aspects of the sales process. I personally service dealers in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario and wholesalers in Manitoba, southern Ontario, Quebec and the northern U.S. States.
I am proud to be part of the Brown & Rutherford team and remain committed to both the highest quality manufactured products in the industry and the best customer service.
dale@BandRwood.com
JIM FORD, SALES
With more than 25 years in the sales profession, the major focus for me still remains the customer. Many of those years involved developing programs, primarily geared to wholesale business, forming partnerships and relationships in the interest of improving sales for all at stake.
Satisfaction for me is derived from recognizing customer needs, listening to their wants and acting to exceed their expectations whenever possible. Knowing these principles are adhered to at Brown and Rutherford is what drew me in.
Although most of my experience has pertained to wholesale, chain sales and dealer networks I am always reminded that the size of my customer is not in question, however my ability to service my customer is. This is motivation to strive for improvement.
Family has and will continue to be a priority for me. My wife and 2 very active children keep me hopping, and I enjoy the time with them tremendously. Home life reinforces that age is merely a state of mind, and family experience cannot be replaced.
jimford@BandRwood.com
ILONA HEUCHERT, OFFICE MANAGER
Since 1987, I have been working in the lumber industry in both the retail and wholesale sectors. I joined Brown & Rutherford in 1996 and really enjoy being part of the B&R team. It is very rewarding to be part of a company that has so much history. All of the staff are quite proud of the fact that our company was established in 1872.
My job description at B&R has been constantly changing and expanding which has provided me with an opportunity to learn and be challenged. I benefit from the wide variety of office tasks that I perform and enjoy providing a professional service to customers and suppliers.
After work, I'm a bit of a "homebody" and particularly treasure time spent with friends and family.
ilona@BandRwood.com
GURDEEP KAUR, SALES
I moved to Winnipeg in 1981 and worked at various jobs before joining B&R in 1988. I started as a cashier/receptionist and moved into accounts receivable and general office accounting. I have recently joined the sales department and enjoy the challenges that my new job brings.
When I'm not at Brown & Rutherford, I spend my time with my husband and our four children. Most evenings and weekends I'm busy driving our younger son to his various soccer games and track and field meets.
gurdeep@BandRwood.com
Our products are marketed through out the continental US and Canada.
Our People
DAVID KAUFMAN, PRESIDENT
David Kaufman was born in Manitoba, attending grade school in Griswold followed by graduation from the University of Manitoba.
David has been a force in the community through his leadership in business and the not-for-profit sector.
He has served 15 years on the Board of the Winnipeg Foundation and also 15 years with the Board of National Trust. David also served on the boards of Insurance Company of the West and Western Financial Savings Bank (Westcorp) which are major financial institutions in the state of California.
David is currently the president of Silpit Industries Co. Ltd. a company affiliated with Brown & Rutherford.
DON BOND, GENERAL AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
As I write this in 2005, I have been in the lumber industry for 25 years, the last 21 with B&R. I am proud to be part of a 133 year old "Winnipeg institution" and its team.
I basically "grew up" at B&R and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from all the previous general managers over the past 21 years. They were all excellent people and I appreciate everything that they have taught me.
In 2004 I had the opportunity to become part of the ownership of the company as well as taking on the duites of general manager.
I am very proud of the B&R team and remain committed to both our individual and collective success. Taking on the general manager's role as well as sales, I have a renewed appreciation as to all the matters that make a successful business. It is time consuming but also very rewarding.
When I'm not working to "make saw dust", I can be found at the family cottage with my wife and best friend, Debbie, along with our 3 teenagers/adult "kids". We love fixing our motorized "toys", then playing with them until they break again and then, attempt to fix them again! Its an ongoing and vicious cycle.
donbond@BandRwood.com
PETER DEBENHAM, CONTROLLER
Peter Debenham earned a marketing degree from the University of NSW in Sydney in 1972 and then changed direction towards the accountancy profession on the advice of his father.
Peter says: "I followed my brother into marketing because it looked sexy and exciting, however, when I couldn't read a Balance Sheet my father told me to stop mucking around and become an accountant!"
Peter became a Chartered Accountant in 1978 and then decided to see the world arriving in Montreal in 1979. He worked in Montreal and Calgary before marrying a Canadian and settling in Winnipeg in 1981.
Peter joined Silpit and B&R in 1988 as controller and purchased a small interest in B&R in 2005.
Peter lives with his wife Joanne and 3 children. He particularly enjoys his local community club where he volunteers and coached hockey and baseball. He is also active with The Down Under Club of Winnipeg which has hosted an Australia/New Zealand pavilion at Folklorama.
Peter's business philosophy (derived from his marketing background) is to identify our customers' needs and satisfy those needs and we will be successful.
peter@BandRwood.com
TODD MONDOR, PRODUCTION MANAGER
I represent the 3rd generation of "Mondors" to work in the production area of B&R which is quite an achievement. Since starting with B&R in the 1970's, I have been witness to a lot of changes over the years. In recent years we have focused on areas where we excell which has been very gratifying. I stand behind B&R's reputation for quality and look forward to the coming years. Quality control is my responsibility and I take this duty very seriously. The future looks good.
When not hard at work, I enjoy golfing, baseball, bowling and spending time with my two children.
todd@BandRwood.com
DALE CARROTHERS, SALES MANAGER
I have over 15 years experience in the lumber industry. I enjoy my career in the wood remanufacturing business and consider myself fortunate to be associated with a company that adheres to the highest quality standards in the industry.
My responsibilities are to manage all aspects of the sales process. I personally service dealers in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario and wholesalers in Manitoba, southern Ontario, Quebec and the northern U.S. States.
I am proud to be part of the Brown & Rutherford team and remain committed to both the highest quality manufactured products in the industry and the best customer service.
dale@BandRwood.com
JIM FORD, SALES
With more than 25 years in the sales profession, the major focus for me still remains the customer. Many of those years involved developing programs, primarily geared to wholesale business, forming partnerships and relationships in the interest of improving sales for all at stake.
Satisfaction for me is derived from recognizing customer needs, listening to their wants and acting to exceed their expectations whenever possible. Knowing these principles are adhered to at Brown and Rutherford is what drew me in.
Although most of my experience has pertained to wholesale, chain sales and dealer networks I am always reminded that the size of my customer is not in question, however my ability to service my customer is. This is motivation to strive for improvement.
Family has and will continue to be a priority for me. My wife and 2 very active children keep me hopping, and I enjoy the time with them tremendously. Home life reinforces that age is merely a state of mind, and family experience cannot be replaced.
jimford@BandRwood.com
ILONA HEUCHERT, OFFICE MANAGER
Since 1987, I have been working in the lumber industry in both the retail and wholesale sectors. I joined Brown & Rutherford in 1996 and really enjoy being part of the B&R team. It is very rewarding to be part of a company that has so much history. All of the staff are quite proud of the fact that our company was established in 1872.
My job description at B&R has been constantly changing and expanding which has provided me with an opportunity to learn and be challenged. I benefit from the wide variety of office tasks that I perform and enjoy providing a professional service to customers and suppliers.
After work, I'm a bit of a "homebody" and particularly treasure time spent with friends and family.
ilona@BandRwood.com
GURDEEP KAUR, SALES
I moved to Winnipeg in 1981 and worked at various jobs before joining B&R in 1988. I started as a cashier/receptionist and moved into accounts receivable and general office accounting. I have recently joined the sales department and enjoy the challenges that my new job brings.
When I'm not at Brown & Rutherford, I spend my time with my husband and our four children. Most evenings and weekends I'm busy driving our younger son to his various soccer games and track and field meets.
gurdeep@BandRwood.com
Our products are marketed through out the continental US and Canada.