Doug Madder
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“I am a mechanic.”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since 1983, but in this job since 2008. Started out driving truck then moved to the shop.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Just going home, I don’t have to feel guilty about earning my pay.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I tinker at home, I have a shop, and I help my neighbors!”
What is one tip you would give to a future mechanic?
“Just to take pride in your work… work for your money.”
Steven Madder
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“The shop coordinator, the lead hand.”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Collectively 7 years, took a couple summers off and went other places but came back.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“The organization.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Fish, get out of the house, and try not to do mechanic things but it happens!”
What is one tip you would give to a future shop coordinator/lead hand?
“Have patience, you can’t really plan, there are too many variables.”
Bruce Oster
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Float Truck driver and picker operator.”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since ’96 when we started up in Sioux Lookout.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“I get out in the bush and I just like driving in the bush. I’ve never been a highway hauler, and never will be!”
What is your favorite song?
“I’m a country guy, and Daddy’s Hands – Holly Dunn is my favorite song.”
What is one tip you would give to a future Float Truck Drivers?
“Learn to drive really good on a smaller unit, don’t get into a large unit right off the bat. When you start pulling heavy loads, you know the weight is going to be your enemy when it gets out of control in a winter situation.”
Michelle Hutchison
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Parts, Inventory, an everything kind of person!”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“About 5 years!”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Learning new things. I’m always learning something new and it keeps the job interesting.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Spend time with my grandson!”
What is your favorite song?
“Harvest Moon – Neil Young”
What is one tip you would give someone in your position?
“Work smart, not hard!”
Richard Trist
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Wood Truck Driver!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since 2006."
What is your favorite part of your job?
“My Sirius radio... just kidding, getting to be outside!"
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Hunting and fishing!"
What is your favorite song?
" I don't have one, I like all music. "
What is one tip you would give someone in your position?
“Be aware of others on the road, it's getting dangerous out there. Stay diligent, always be aware!"
Agnes Bergman
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“I'm the Cook! (At the Ignace camp)"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Just over a year."
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Cooking, preparing the food and interacting with the people that stay here, just getting to know them and them getting to know me! Laughing with them, and sometimes crying with them."
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Walking, riding my bike, and watching my granddaughter play hockey!"
What is your favorite song?
"Believe by Brooks & Dunn."
What is one tip you would give someone in your position?
“If you're not going to serve it at home, don't give it to anybody else!"
Elizabeth Adams
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“The cleaning lady!”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since the bunkhouse opened up, so about 14 months.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Cleaning!! I'd rather clean a toilet than cook!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to get out into my yard and garden! I also like doing crafts!”
What's your favorite song?
"Hotel California by the Eagles"
What is one tip you would give to a future Cleaner?
“Take pride in what you do!"
Beverley Graham
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“The safety coordinator!”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since 2010, 10 years!”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“The people I work with (mostly Rufus )!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to garden!”
What's your favorite movie?
"Gone With The Wind!"
What is one tip you would give to a future Safety Coordinator?
“Be willing to learn and expand you horizons!"
Jamie Pynn
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Heavy equipment operator – buncher, chipper, processor, skidder, everything!”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“13 years, since 2007.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Being out and about in the wilderness. I enjoy what I do!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Camping with the family!”
What’s your favorite song?
"Paradise City – Guns and Roses”
What is one tip you would give to a future Operator?
“Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.”
Bob Chawrun
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Processor Operator!”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“14 or 15 years!.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“This, I just enjoy doing my job!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“FISHING, and snowmobiling in the winter time!”
What’s your favorite tree?
"White Pine!”
What is one tip you would give to a future Processor Operator?
“Be careful, keep the cab clean, do your service, and check everything out before you start. I've trained a couple of guys and they've come out pretty good!”
Ian Van Haesendonk
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Forester – supervisor.”
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Almost 8 years!”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Being out in the bush and walking the patches!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Fish and golf.”
What is your favorite foods?
"Italian food!”
What is one tip you would give to a future Forester?
“Keep a positive attitude and put your best foot forward everyday when you go to work!”
Zac Hale
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Crew cab mechanic!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“12 years, maybe 13 years."
What is your favorite part of your job?
“The laid back atmosphere!"
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Hangout with my family!"
What is your favorite movie?
"Smokey and the Bandit. "
What is one tip you would give to a future mechanic?
“Pay attention is school!!!"
Kevin Desserre
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Truck Driver!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“17 years."
What is your favorite part of your job?
“The people I work with!"
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Racing and fishing!"
What is your favorite movie?
"Days of Thunder. "
What is one tip you would give someone in your position?
“Always be safe, and always think ahead!"
Jonathan Genik
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“I wear a lot of hats, but shop supervisor!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“13 year years, plus being here as a student so almost 20 years!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
“The challenges, everything always comes with a new obstacle."
What is your favorite tree?
"Blue spruce!"
What is one tip you would give someone in your position?
“Keep safety as your number one priority."
Lindy Leclerc
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Summer Office Student."
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“3 years!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Hanging out with my fellow office people!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Hanging out with my friends, camping, fishing, and sports!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Red Pine!"
What is one tip you would give someone in your position?
“Take each day as it comes, everyday is different!"
Willoe Sabko
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
“Office Manager."
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“32 years!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
“There are a lot of things I like about my job but the main thing is what we do as a company. We do forestry, which is reforestation, which is changing the face of the world but changing it in a positive way!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Play with my horses and sewing!"
What is your favorite tree?
"The oak tree!"
What is your favorite song?
"Humble and kind - Tim McGraw."
What is one tip you would give to a future Office Manager?
“Treat your fellow employees with respect. Treat others the way you would like to be treated!"
Brent Delaronde
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Grapple skidder operator.'
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“4 years."
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Being out in the wilderness."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Camping and out doors stuff!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Red pines."
What is one tip you would give to a future operator?
“Take you time, safety first!"
Jason Marion
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Heavy equipment mechanic!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since January!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Everything! I enjoy the atmosphere and just doing my job!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Play on 4-wheelers, work on trucks, hunting and fishing!"
What is your favorite tree?
"White pine."
What is one tip you would give to a future operator?
“Take your time, do it right the first time!"
Troy Sabko
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Ignace dispatch!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“23 years."
What is your favorite part of your job?
“The people!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Play with my kids!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Blue spruce."
What is one tip you would give to a future dispatcher?
“Stay calm!"
Paul Belhumeur
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"I'm the floor sweeper! Shop hand!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Just over a year!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
“When they send me to Dryden to pick up stuff! Traveling between Ignace and Dryden!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Look after my wife!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Jack pine!"
What is one tip you would give to a future shop hand?
“Listen and obey!"
Max Savage
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"I'm an apprentice heavy equipment mechanic."
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“6 months!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Honestly the company, the people I work with!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Hunting, fishing, and working on my dads equipment!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Cedar!"
What is one tip you would give to a future apprentice?
“Enjoy what you do, and not be too hard on your body."
Jack John Wall
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Truck and coach technician"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“6 or 7 years!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Fixing it right the first time!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Hunting, fishing, and farming!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Poplar, it burns good!"
What is one tip you would give to a future technician?
“Listen and do it right the first time."
Shelley Goretzki
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Loader Operator."
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Seasonally since 2004."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Being outdoors!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Activities with my horses!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Maple trees!"
What is your favorite song?
"Take it to the limit by the Eagles"
What is one tip you would give to a future operator?
“Its important to stop and stretch often." .
Jamie Houtz
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Gravel Crew."
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Since last November."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Fixing stuff!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Hunt and fish!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Popular, its what the moose like!"
What is one tip you would give to a future operator?
“Pay attention and don't be afraid to try something new."
Sam Ricci
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Supervisor, a little of everything!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“10 years."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Being out in the bush working with good people!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Hunt, fish, and drag race!"
What is your favorite tree?
"Any tree that makes a chip or log!"
What is one tip you would give to a future supervisor?
“Work hard and keep your people safe."
Chad Treftlin
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Mechanic!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“About 5 months."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"It's always something new! Everyday is different."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Hunt, fish, camping! Anything outdoors."
What is your favorite tree?
"White pine!"
What is one tip you would give to a future mechanic?
“Always work safe. Make sure you go home with all of your fingers and toes!"
Roger Bartlett
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Truck Driver!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Off and on since 2008, I left the mill on a Friday and Louie took me on a Monday, I started hauling gravel with no experience he gave me my break. I left for a few years, to go to Red Lake and then I came back. I plan to retire here."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"It's hard to explain, but keeping things rolling. I help out where ever, I go to sander, to gravel, to wood haul; so just keeping things rolling!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Fishing and spending time with family."
What is your favorite tree?
"Red pine, I have a few nice ones in my yard!"
What is one tip you would give to a future drivers?
“Try and learn from the more experienced people, get what you can out of them because it will really help you in the long run. I've seen a lot of people come in here thinking they know it all, don't be like that. Get what you can from experience drivers!"
Carmon Danielson
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Grapple Skidder operator!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“Between 5-6 years!"
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Bringing the wood to the road line to keep the processor guys happy! Just keeping things rolling."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Fishing, hunting, and camping."
What is your favorite tree?
"Jackpine!"
What is one tip you would give to a skidder operator?
“Keep 4 tires on the ground, and don't get stuck in swamps!!"
Roger Runge
What is your position here at Ricci’s Group?
"Chip truck driver!"
How long have you been working with Ricci’s Group?
“24 years!"
Side note: he did a rough calculation using his seniority days and average load count to discover that he has hauled over 12,000 loads of chips/logs so far throughout his career! WOW!!
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Finishing my day with no issues."
What is your favorite tree?
"Jackpine, its what I haul!"
What is one tip you would give to a driver?
“Watch your footing!"