People and Places
Ariell Foran Haul Truck Operator Greenhills Operations
Danny Rioux Manager, Business Improvement Trail Operations
Shanghai, China Lin Zhang Director, Base Metals Marketing Shanghai office
Squamish, B.C. Wes Brulotte Manager, Procurement, Teck Digital Systems Vancouver office
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Ariell Foran
Haul Truck Operator
Greenhills Operations
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I started at Greenhills Operations this year, in April.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
I am a haul truck driver and also enjoy learning about other heavy equipment on site—there are so many opportunities here.
What is your favourite part about your job?
Operating a haul truck can be an individual and challenging job, but it’s also a very team-oriented environment where everyone looks out for one another. You’re always encouraged and supported, whether from fellow haul truck drivers or supervisors.
What is your most memorable moment working at Teck to date?
I just went through CSL4 training with my team, and it was a great opportunity for our crew to work together and brainstorm ideas to make our environment safer, and to take responsibility for our safety, both as a team and as individuals.
What is your favourite activity outside of work?
I’m originally from the West Kootenays, but I wanted to work in the Elk Valley area because of all the amenities—from the community services, great restaurants, nice people, to all the outdoor activities. In my free time I like to mountain bike, hike, fish and snowboard, and I also have an artsy side!
Danny Rioux
Manager, Business Improvement
Trail Operations
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I started in April 2001 at Trail Operations as a process engineer.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
My role is to engage and empower our workforce to be better every day, and then manage the ideas and opportunities to ensure they are prioritized and resourced. I oversee that we are consistent in our approach with the One Teck continuous improvement framework.
What is your favourite part about your job?
I studied metallurgy in school, and Trail Operations continues to amaze me. Half the periodic table comes through this site, which presents opportunities and challenges as our feeds and markets change.
What is your most memorable moment working at Teck to date?
Working on KIVCET shutdowns. They occur every 3–4 years and are very challenging in their planning and execution. The sense of accomplishment with the shutdown team once completed is incredibly rewarding.
What is your favourite activity outside of work, and why?
In the summer, I love to go camping with my family. My wife Fran and I really enjoy watching our two daughters exploring the Kootenay’s beautiful camping locations. In the winter I enjoy playing hockey. I have been playing for 38 years and I enjoy the exercise and the team aspect of the game.
Shanghai, China
Lin Zhang
Director, Base Metals Marketing
Shanghai office
What is your city’s point of pride?
Shanghai is a large international metropolis, reflecting China’s fast and energetic development in recent decades.
When visiting, what’s a ‘must see’?
The Bund, especially in the evenings when it’s lit up, is a waterfront area with high-rises and other structures on both sides of Huangpu River.
What is the area’s best-kept secret?
The city is full of fantastic restaurants, but small cafes offering excellent food and drinks are popping up everywhere now.
What’s a typical weekend like there?
On weekends, many couples send their children to study extracurricular classes. They also visit parents and have meals together. A visit to the city parks and museums is popular among young families.
What’s your favourite restaurant in your city?
Din Tai Fung Restaurant is my favourite. Its dumplings and steamed buns are classic Shanghai food. Luckily, there are three branches of the restaurant near our office.
Is there anything else you’d like other Teck employees to know about the area?
Thanks to advanced technology, Shanghai is basically “cash-free”. Carrying a mobile is enough to purchase anything, even picking up something from a street vendor.
Squamish, B.C.
Wes Brulotte
Manager, Procurement, Teck Digital Systems
Vancouver office
What is your community’s point of pride?
Squamish touts itself as the outdoor recreation capital of Canada. Located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Squamish is a mecca for mountain biking, rock climbing, kitesurfing, backcountry hiking and ski touring.
When visiting, what’s a ‘must see’?
The Sea to Sky Gondola any time of the year and the eagles along the Squamish and Mamquam rivers from November to February.
What is the area’s best-kept secret?
Among the 300 biking trails in Squamish, some of my favourites are Half Nelson, Leave of Absence, Rupert, Somewhere Over There, and Entrails.
Is there anything the area is famous for?
Squamish is well-known for its logging industry, celebrated with the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival. The Britannia Mine Museum, a National Historic Site, is located 10 kilometres south of Squamish in the community of Britannia Beach.
What’s your favourite restaurant in the community?
Salted Vine Kitchen + Bar.
Is there anything else you’d like other Teck employees to know about the area?
Squamish is a great place to raise a family, but shhhhhh—don’t tell too many people.
