Executive Team

Dick Kouwenhoven

President and Chief Executive Officer

After graduating from Rotterdam Graphics Arts College in 1962 as a journeyman Typographer, and a short career in the graphic arts industry in the Netherlands, Dick moved to Vancouver in early 1965. He joined a small, storefront printer (Hemlock) in Burnaby as the one-and-only employee in September 1965 and became the majority shareholder in July of 1968.

Dick has kept Hemlock at the forefront of technological innovation and environmental awareness in the printing industry, while maintaining a total commitment to quality and integrity.

Today, Dick is President & CEO of Hemlock with two Burnaby plants that total almost 100,000 square feet and employ over 240 dedicated craftspeople. He is proud to serve clients all over North America with a commitment to the highest quality results with the least environmental impact.

dick@hemlock.com

Jeff Taylor

General Manager & Chief Operating Officer

Graduating from a Graphic Arts Program in 1976, Jeff began his career with an apprenticeship at a Vancouver-based commercial printing company. His passion for prepress led him to a position as Production Supervisor for one of Vancouver\'s largest prepress companies, where he transitioned to Vice President of Production and finally the President over a span of 16 years.

In 1998, Jeff joined Hemlock Printers as the Director of Manufacturing, and was promoted shortly afterwards to the VP of Manufacturing. Today, as General Manger / Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for Operations, Manufacturing and the day to day activities of the company.

Jeff had a pivotal role in the development of a Graphic Arts Diploma Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where he now teaches in his spare time.

jtaylor@hemlock.com

Chris White

Chief Financial Officer

Chris graduated in 1976 from UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce and received his Chartered Accountant designation in 1978. While working in public practice with Price Waterhouse, he gained considerable experience with both public and private companies. In 1987 Chris became Corporate Controller of a paint manufacturer with 2 factories and over 400 employees.

In 1996, Chris joined Hemlock Printers as Manager, Finance & Administration. He was promoted to Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer in 2000. Chris reports to the President and oversees the Accounting and Administration Departments. He is responsible for corporate accounting, budgeting, human resources, information systems, shareholder planning and other related financial matters.

cwhite@hemlock.com

Peter Madliger

Vice President, Prepress

Peter’s career in graphic arts began 40 years ago in Switzerland, where he received training in offset lithography, specializing in print colour reproduction. After graduating from a four-year prepress program, Peter immigrated to Canada in 1968. In 1976, he joined a top Vancouver graphic arts company, where he led their colour imaging department and later the entire electronic prepress operation.

Joining Hemlock in 1990, Peter used his expertise to develop an in-house prepress department, making Hemlock the first full-service printer in Vancouver. Today, he leads a team of over 30 skilled technicians. Peter enjoys sharing his colour expertise with Hemlock’s clients, represented by both small and large design studios and corporate print buyers.

Peter was elected to the Creo Users Association Board of Directors in 1997 and has continued in this capacity for the Graphic Users Association for Kodak Solutions.

pmadlger@hemlock.com

Peter Oostlander

Vice President, Customer Service Group

Graduating from Graphic Arts College in 1972, Peter began his career with an apprenticeship at a Vancouver-based commercial printing company. He joined Hemlock Printers Ltd. in 1976 as a pre-press operator, and rejoined Hemlock in 1984 as a full time Estimator. He has been in charge of the Customer Service Department since 1995.

Peter actively supports and teaches the Estimating course at the BCIT Graphic Communication Technology program.

oostland@hemlock.com

Dirk Ottevangers

Vice President Sales & Marketing

Dirk joined the Graphic Arts Industry in 1976 when he worked at a local Vancouver paper merchant, as an Inside Sales Representative. His passion for sales and customer service led to a position as a Sales Representative, where he was calling on printing firms.
 
In 1982, Dirk joined Hemlock Printers as Sales Representative. In October 1998 he was promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing and in August of 2006 was named Vice President Sales & Marketing. With 25 years of sales experience with Hemlock, Dirk leads the Canadian-based sales team and is responsible for ensuring that our clients are as happy to work with us, as we are to work with them.

dirk@hemlock.com

Richard Kouwenhoven

VP, Digital Solutions & Fulfillment Services

Richard has had a close association with Hemlock throughout his life, working for Hemlock on a part-time basis for more than 10 years and with the company full time since 1999. In 1996, he graduated from Ryerson University's Graphic Communications Management program, then spent 3 years working outside the family firm in both a traditional and a digital printing environment. His many roles at Hemlock include Estimator, Production Coordinator, Production Planning Manager. In fall of 2006, he took on the role of VP, Digital Solutions and Fulfillment Services at Hemlock’s Digital Division that specializes in digital print production, fulfillment services and customized web services development.
 
Richard is Hemlock’s key lead on sustainability initiatives and is the Chair of the Sustainability Committee. Outside the company, Richard is the chair of the Sustainability Purchasing Network's Steering Committee, a Vancouver-based network of organizations working to advance sustainability purchasing practices in the region.

richard@hemlock.com

Frits Kouwenhoven

Managing Partner, Hemlock Printers (USA), Inc.

Beginning his career in 1971 as an apprentice lithographer at Hemlock, Frits worked in the plant by day and attended graphic arts college by night. He graduated with his Journeymen Lithographer certificate in 1976. Using his solid background in print process, Frits transitioned into sales and grew to become the company’s VP of Sales & Marketing and a partner in the business.

In 1999 Frits took on a new challenge and moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay area. His efforts have created a strong Hemlock presence along the west coast of the US, where Hemlock now employs 10 US-based sales representatives in offices in Seattle WA, Walnut Creek CA, and Monterey CA.
 
Frits' passion for print is evident. He brings excitement and value to his many clients’ projects, contributing daily as a great addition to their fine printed products.

frits@hemlock.com

Daren McKewan

Director of Production

Daren joined the Graphic Arts Industry in 1984 and has spent his entire career with Hemlock Printers. Beginning in our pressroom, Daren learned the printing craft. In 1997, his passion for a production-based career led him to a position as a Production Planner within our company.
 
In 1999, Daren was promoted to General Manager – Hemlock Express and managed our small press division until 1996. Today as the Director of Production, he is responsible for our Planning & Scheduling departments and plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day production activities of the company.

dmckewan@hemlock.com

Shannon Howe

Manager Human Resources

Shannon comes from Alberta with a 10-year background in advertising and creative writing, having graduated from a Communication Arts Program in 1982.

Starting at Hemlock in 1993 as Sales Assistant, Shannon was eager to pursue new challenges. 
In 1997, Shannon became Payroll Administrator while completing the Management Certificate Program through the Canadian Payroll Association. Still searching for more, she took on the role of HR Administrator and continued to educate herself in Human Resources Management, becoming a member of HRMA to keep up-to-date on new regulations.

Shannon’s progression with the company has led to her most recent promotion in 2007 to Manager, Human Resources.  Shannon runs a demanding one-person department managing payroll, benefits and HR for a staff of over 240.

showe@hemlock.com

Heather Weir

Controller

With a background in accounting and administration, Heather joined Hemlock Printers in 1998 as Accountant.  In 2002, she received her Certified General Accountant designation and was promoted to Accounting Supervisor in 2004.  In August of 2007 Heather was named Controller.

Heather was on the Board of Directors for the Tri-Cities/Ridge/Meadows CGA Chapter for 5 years.  She currently is Treasurer for other local organizations on a volunteer basis.

hweir@hemlock.com