2018 International Forest Industries IFI June July 2018 Digital | Page 71

that our business didn’t need it but in the end she was right.” Fennell Forestry continues to ensure it has the proper infrastructure and personnel to support the growth. The company has its own workshop, an operations manager helping support both the logging and transport side of the business, a full time operator trainer and a training room for classroom sessions, as well as a large parts success. “I think that’s what makes it work so well,” says Wendy. Work-life balance On top of all Wendy’s work responsibilities, she is a single mother of two with eightyear- old, Flynn and six-yearold, Hudson. Her boys really enjoy watching the equipment run but they have other career aspirations at this stage in their lives. Hudson wants Fennell Forestry’s transport business consists of seventeen B-Double Units and one A-Double Unit. warehouse with plenty of inventory. Wendy and Barry make a great team. “You can’t beat being in business with family because you know those core values are the same.” Wendy acknowledges that she and Barry are very different. “I am more structured and he’s got the random thoughts and entrepreneurialism. I like to get in and do things with structure and see things out. Whereas Barry is always moving forward, looking for the next improvement.” The balance in personalities definitely contributes to the company’s to own a pet store and Flynn wants to be the next Shaun White (a professional snowboarder). Wendy enjoys family ski vacations, recently visiting Whistler, British Columbia and New Zealand. “Flynn wanted to try snowboarding, but you couldn’t snowboard until you were eight, so I had to go back when he was eight, and that’s where we went last year. The boys have been hooked on the Winter Olympics, telling me all about it when I get home from work,” she says. Wendy doesn’t mind working A proud mom with her two boys, Flynn and Hudson. FITNESS FEBRUARY Wendy’s health craze kicked in when she was in her early twenties and at the age of 43 she still lives a very healthy lifestyle. For the month of February, she implemented a program called ‘Fitness February’ to educate her crewmembers on how to keep fit and reduce fatigue on the job. Fresh fruit and healthy snack alternatives were available in the lunchroom throughout the month along with training sessions at a local gym. “I actually had one of my employees send me a picture last night of all the fruits and vegetables he had cut up for the week. He was proud of his meal prep and I love seeing that,” says Wendy. “A healthy workforce is a productive one and all employees are being encouraged to live a healthier, more active lifestyle.” as hard as she does. She always makes sure she wakes up with the boys and is there to put them to bed. “It throws everything out of whack, when I have to be away at night,” she says. She keeps it structured so the boys always know when she will be home. Wendy has managed to help build a booming business, excel as CEO and have a beautiful family – proving you can do it all. “I love my kids and my work. I have a great team around me and I appreciate them all. It’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure.” This article originally appeared in Between the Branches, April 2018, the official publication of Tigercat Industries Inc. International Forest Industries | JUNE / JULY 2018 67