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Board of Directors

Board of Directors of KP Tissue Inc.

The KP Tissue Inc. Board (the “Board”) consists of three directors, two of the directors are independent. Under NI 52-110, an “independent” director is one who is free from any direct or indirect relationship, which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with a director’s independent judgment.

James Hardy
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James Hardy, Independent Director

Mr. Hardy is Chair of the Corporation Audit Committee, a member of the Corporation Nominating and Governance Committee, Chair of the KPI Audit Committee and a member of the KPI Governance Committee.

James Hardy is a retired executive from Revera Inc, a leading Owner, Manager and Developer of Seniors Residences in Canada, the United Stated and the UK, where from 2013-2021 he held the positions of Chief Investment Officer, Chief Corporate Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer. During his time with Revera, Mr. Hardy oversaw the expansion of Revera into the US and UK via the acquisitions of Sunrise Senior Living and Signature Senior Lifestyles as well as numerous developments of new properties under leading Senior living brands. From 2014-2021 Mr. Hardy was a Board Member and Audit Committee Chair for Sunrise Senior Living. Prior to joining Revera, Mr. Hardy was Chief Financial Officer of Public Mobile Inc from 2009-2012 and from 2001-2008, Mr. Hardy was Managing Director of Telecom, Media and Technology Investment Banking at National Bank Financial. Mr. Hardy has more than 35 years’ experience as a corporate executive, investment banker and entrepreneur.

Mr. Hardy holds an ICD.D designation from the University of Toronto (2010), a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from the Ivey School of Business at Western University (1988) and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (1982). Mr. Hardy currently sits on the Board of Directors of Signature Senior Lifestyles.
 

John (‘Jay’) Wright
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John (‘Jay’) Wright, Independent Director

Jay Wright is a retired leader of global Fortune 500 consumer goods companies in Canada & the U.S. He brings broad C-level experience and expertise to purposeful and exciting business missions. Mr. Wright leads strategic evolution of long-term value creation for customer centric companies seeking outstanding and sustained growth and performance. He is also recognized for his ability to build powerful brands to drive top-quartile results and engagement and create highly optimized cost structures. Mr. Wright is also adept in overseeing digital innovation.

He is currently a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Upper Canada Forest Products, Advisor Board Chair of the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University and a member of the Board of Directors of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Mr. Wright obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University.

Mr. Wright is a member of the Corporation’s Audit Committee, Chair of the Corporation’s Nominating and Governance Committee, a member of the Kruger Products Audit Committee as well as the Kruger Products HR and Compensation Committee.

François Vimard
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François Vimard, Chairman of the Board

François Vimard is currently the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board and sits on the Corporation’s Audit Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, the KPI Audit Committee and KPI Governance Committee.

François Vimard is currently a Board member and Chair of the audit committee of Andrew Peller Ltd., a reporting issuer. He is also a Board member of GS1 Canada, a not-for-profit organization which manages the barcode standard used by retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. Mr. Vimard was also a trustee of Crombie REIT from 2014 to 2017. 

Mr. Vimard has more than 30 years of experience in food retailing. He spent more than 22 years at Empire Company Limited/Sobeys Inc. which is the second largest food retailer in Canada. Mr. Vimard was Interim President and CEO at Empire and Sobeys from July 2016 to December 2016 and was previously the Chief Financial Officer from June 2007 to June 2016. Mr. Vimard has a deep understanding of the retail business, having been responsible for the technology and supply chain departments during his tenure at Sobeys. He was also responsible for the National ERP implementation and overall business process optimization as well as the implementation of a state-of-the-art automated warehousing technology.

Mr. Vimard is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree and License in Accounting Sciences from the University of Laval. He also earned a certificate at the executive program in Strategic Retail Management at Babson College in Boston, MA. Mr. Vimard is also a member and graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Mr. Vimard is the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board and sits on the Corporation’s Audit Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, the KPI Audit Committee and KPI Governance Committee.

Additional notes

  • All three Directors of KP Tissue Inc. are also members of the 9-member Board of Directors of Kruger Products Inc.

Board of Directors of Kruger Products Inc.

Joseph Kruger II
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Joseph Kruger II, Director (Chair)

Mr. Kruger is also Chair of the KPGP Compensation Committee.

Joseph Kruger II has been the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Kruger since 1988. Prior to1988, Mr. Kruger held various senior management positions within the company, during which time the company has been expanded and has implemented numerous successful acquisitions and modernization projects. Mr. Kruger has played a vital role at Kruger since his graduation from Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York in 1967, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Kruger also received an honoris causa Doctorate in Science from Clarkson University in 1987.

Mr. Kruger served for ten years as a trustee of Clarkson University, first as an alumni trustee and later as a trustee. He has been a member of the Board’s Campus Life Development and Investment Committees. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University in May, 1996. He also received an honoris causa Doctorate from the University of Sherbrooke in October, 1998. On October 8th 2002, Mr. Kruger received an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. On June 11th, 2006 Mr. Kruger received an honoris causa Docteur en sciences forestières from Université Laval.

Mr. Kruger is a past Director of the Bank of Canada. On January 23rd, +1994, Mr. Kruger received one of Québec’s highest distinctions, Knight of the Order of Québec (Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec) for his outstanding support and commitment to education, science, technology and research. In addition, on February 4th, 1998 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Gene Kruger
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Gene Kruger, Director

Mr. Kruger is Chair of the KPGP Governance Committee.

Gene Kruger was appointed Vice President, Business Development of Kruger Inc. in 2015. In this capacity he is involved in the development of all of Kruger Inc.’s business units which include Tissue Products, Renewable Energy, Publication Papers, Speciality Papers, Containerboard, Eco-Friendly Packaging Products, Recycling, Cellulosic Biomaterials, Real Estate Development and Wines and Spirits.

Prior to joining Kruger Inc., Gene Kruger was an associate with McCarthy Tetrault from 2008 to 2015, specializing in commercial, civil and administrative litigation.

Mr. Kruger earned a law degree from McGill University and a Bachelor of Philosophy with Honours from McGill University. He is a member of the Quebec Bar. Mr. Kruger sits on the Board of Directors of Pop Montreal International Music Festival (a not-for- profit).

David Spraley
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David Spraley, Director

Mr. Spraley is on the KPGP Compensation Committee.

David A. Spraley is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kruger. Prior to joining Kruger, Mr. Spraley accumulated over 30 years of experience in the forest industry, both in the pulp and paper sector and the consumer products side of the business.

Mr. Spraley started his career at Mead Corporation where he held positions of increasing responsibility from 1978 to 1991. He then joined Georgia-Pacific for the following 15 years, earning extensive experience, particularly in the consumer products division. The last position he held was Senior Vice President, Consumer Products Manufacturing. As such, he was responsible for six integrated manufacturing operations producing tissue, pulp and fine paper.

Mr. Spraley joined AbitibiBowater (now Resolute Forest Products) in 2006, where he held various senior positions from 2006 to 2011. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Pulp and Paper Operations, overseeing operations for 19 facilities in Canada, South Korea and the USA. These facilities produced bleached kraft pulp, coated paper, newsprint and hydroelectricity.

Mr. Spraley holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton.

James Hardy
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James Hardy, Independent Director

Mr. Hardy is Chair of the Corporation Audit Committee, a member of the Corporation Nominating and Governance Committee, Chair of the KPI Audit Committee and a member of the KPI Governance Committee.

James Hardy is a retired executive from Revera Inc, a leading Owner, Manager and Developer of Seniors Residences in Canada, the United Stated and the UK, where from 2013-2021 he held the positions of Chief Investment Officer, Chief Corporate Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer. During his time with Revera, Mr. Hardy oversaw the expansion of Revera into the US and UK via the acquisitions of Sunrise Senior Living and Signature Senior Lifestyles as well as numerous developments of new properties under leading Senior living brands. From 2014-2021 Mr. Hardy was a Board Member and Audit Committee Chair for Sunrise Senior Living. Prior to joining Revera, Mr. Hardy was Chief Financial Officer of Public Mobile Inc from 2009-2012 and from 2001-2008, Mr. Hardy was Managing Director of Telecom, Media and Technology Investment Banking at National Bank Financial. Mr. Hardy has more than 35 years’ experience as a corporate executive, investment banker and entrepreneur.

Mr. Hardy holds an ICD.D designation from the University of Toronto (2010), a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from the Ivey School of Business at Western University (1988) and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (1982). Mr. Hardy currently sits on the Board of Directors of Signature Senior Lifestyles.

David Angel
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David Angel, Director

David Angel is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kruger.

Before joining Kruger Products Inc., Mr. Angel worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 16 years initially as Account Officer within the Corporate Banking Division for two years before assuming the title of Director, Scotia Capital – Corporate Banking, from 1999 to 2012. As such he assisted leading public and private companies in Quebec, offering a wide range of expert services focused on lending products and other credit-intensive banking products and services. His broad banking experience includes working on many large mergers and acquisitions in which the bank provided bridge and permanent financing.

Mr. Angel holds an MBA, Bachelor degrees in Arts, Civil Engineering and Civil Law from McGill University.
 

Dino Bianco
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Dino Bianco, Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Bianco was appointed Chief Executive Officer on March 9, 2018.

He is an accomplished and highly respected executive who brings over 25 years of financial, sales & marketing and senior management experience with Kraft. As President of Kraft Canada, Mr. Bianco successfully led a business with several billion in sales, 23 brands, 11 facilities and with more than 5,000 employees. Mr. Bianco has also developed a strong relationship with Canadian retailers and in 2013 was the recipient of the Food Industry Association of Canada’s “Golden Pencil” award recognizing his lifetime contribution to the grocery sector. Furthermore, he has extensive U.S. and foodservice experience having recently served as President of Kraft’s multibillion U.S. Beverage division based in Chicago. During his tenure, he was responsible for driving significant growth, profits and innovation.

Mr. Bianco holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He currently sits on the Board of Welbilt Foodservice (WBT.NYSE).

Sarah Kruger
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Coming soon

François Vimard
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François Vimard, Chairman of the Board

François Vimard is currently the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board and sits on the Corporation’s Audit Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, the KPI Audit Committee and KPI Governance Committee.

François Vimard is currently a Board member and Chair of the audit committee of Andrew Peller Ltd., a reporting issuer. He is also a Board member of GS1 Canada, a not-for-profit organization which manages the barcode standard used by retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. Mr. Vimard was also a trustee of Crombie REIT from 2014 to 2017. 

Mr. Vimard has more than 30 years of experience in food retailing. He spent more than 22 years at Empire Company Limited/Sobeys Inc. which is the second largest food retailer in Canada. Mr. Vimard was Interim President and CEO at Empire and Sobeys from July 2016 to December 2016 and was previously the Chief Financial Officer from June 2007 to June 2016. Mr. Vimard has a deep understanding of the retail business, having been responsible for the technology and supply chain departments during his tenure at Sobeys. He was also responsible for the National ERP implementation and overall business process optimization as well as the implementation of a state-of-the-art automated warehousing technology.

Mr. Vimard is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree and License in Accounting Sciences from the University of Laval. He also earned a certificate at the executive program in Strategic Retail Management at Babson College in Boston, MA. Mr. Vimard is also a member and graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Mr. Vimard is the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board and sits on the Corporation’s Audit Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, the KPI Audit Committee and KPI Governance Committee.