Heavy industry company with Tumbler Ridge roots appoints son to late father’s CEO position

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — A heavy industry company with ties to the Peace River region has announced its new CEO.

LaPrairie Group of Companies has announced its new CEO four months after the passing of former president, chief executive officer and chair of the board Scott LaPrairie. 

According to a June 24th press release, Scott LaPrairie will be succeeded by his son, Cliff LaPrairie as CEO. 

“It is an honour to continue my father’s legacy of fierce entrepreneurialism and family values as LaPrairie’s new CEO,” LaPrairie said. 

LaPrarie has worked with the company for 17 years, and previously served as the president and chief operating officer for its mining and industrial materials businesses such as Fine Gold Resources, Canadian Silica Industries, CSI Sands and Wolverine Trucking. 

The new CEO comes to the position with a background as a mining engineer, and LaPrairie says he brings “new ideas and a recognition of LaPrairie’s valued history to his role as CEO.” 

“His strategic mindset, extensive business development experience and strong business acumen will provide an excellent foundation as he leads LaPrairie’s continued growth throughout North America,” LaPrairie’s chief financial officer, Jim Feragen, said. 

LaPrairie is a family-owned group of companies that began in Tumbler Ridge in 1982 as a mobile crane and rigging service for coal mines in northern B.C.