People and Places
Ben Supliq Foxglove III, Senior Advisor, Shareholder Development, Red Dog Operations
Maria Morrison, Lead, Indigenous Economic Development, Sparwood Office
Zafer Polat, Senior Community Relations Specialist, Turkey, Exploration
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Ben Supliq Foxglove III, Senior Advisor, Shareholder Development, Red Dog Operations
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I started at Red Dog Operations (RDO) in 2010 with Mine Operations as a Haul Truck Driver.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
My current role is the Senior Advisor, Shareholder Development. This role was created last year to support Teck and NANA’s commitment to reach 100% Shareholder employment, a goal set out in the mine’s original operating agreement. This commitment was implemented to support the Inupiaq people that live in the 12 remote villages of the NANA region, where the cost of living is astronomical and there are very few jobs. I have the unique task to help maximize opportunities to achieve that goal.
What is your favourite part about your job?
One of my primary responsibilities is overseeing the Accelerated Leadership Development Program. The best part of my job is seeing the people I help grow and have success.
What is your most memorable or proudest moment working at Teck?
Two moments stand out. The first is having the chance to work with my dad and brothers. My dad started at Red Dog in 1992, so it’s been amazing to experience his workplace that I heard so much about when I was growing up. It helped our relationship grow stronger because we could spend more time together, especially having coffee together in the mornings. Second, I’ve worked with a handful of heavy equipment operators since the start of their careers at Teck. I taught them how to operate safely. I eventually became their supervisor and helped them progress. For three of them, their success at work allowed them to purchase their first homes. Knowing that I helped each of them reach a milestone in their lives where they could provide for their families made working at a remote site and the long hours completely worth it.
If you could visit another site or office at Teck, which one would it be, and why?
I would enjoy visiting Highland Valley Copper (HVC). I have friends that I attended Leading for the Future (LFF) with who work there. Also, as HVC is a large open pit mine, compared to RDO, it would be fascinating to see the similarities and differences.
What community do you live/work in, and what about this place is special to you?
I live in Anchorage and work at Red Dog. I love being at Red Dog because I did not grow up in the NANA region, so it allows me to connect with my heritage and work with family at the mine.
What is your favourite activity outside of work, and why?
Pre-COVID-19, my wife and I loved to travel. We love experiencing new cultures, trying new foods and making memories. Hopefully, we’ll be able to begin exploring again soon with increased vaccine availability and better controls in place.
Maria Morrison, Lead, Indigenous Economic Development, Sparwood Office
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I started with the company in 2006 as temporary Engineering/Operations Clerk at Coal Mountain Operations. Since then, I have held several roles within the Materials Department: Expediting Clerk, Contract Buyer and Temporary Purchasing Supervisor, prior to moving into my current role as Lead, Indigenous Economic Development. Teck has been supportive in providing me with career growth opportunities to develop into the position I hold today.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
In my current role as Lead, Indigenous Economic Development, I promote Indigenous business inclusion within Teck’s procurement practices as well as support Teck’s Impact Management and Benefits Agreement (IMBA) procurement requirements. I support Indigenous businesses and communities with business development plans related to supplying goods and/or services to Teck, and in turn also support Teck with procurement strategies inclusive of opportunities for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.
What is your favourite part about your job?
My favourite part about my job is connecting with people inside and outside the company, gaining a greater understanding of Indigenous culture, and having the autonomy to be creative in the work that I do.
What is your most memorable or proudest moment working at Teck?
My proudest moments are when someone from within Teck reaches out to ask how to engage an Indigenous business in upcoming work, and when I hear good reviews on an Indigenous business that has supplied goods/and or services to Teck. I am fortunate to be in a role I am passionate about, finding opportunities to engage Indigenous businesses in work that in turn provides socio-economic benefit back to communities and citizens is personally rewarding.
If you could visit another site or office at Teck, which one would it be, and why?
If I could visit another Teck site, it would be any of our locations in Chile, to learn how they promote Indigenous business inclusion in their procurement strategies.
What community do you live/work in, and what about this place is special to you?
I live, work and play in Ktunaxa ʔamakis, and this place is special to me because of its beauty and the wonderful people who live here.
What is your favourite activity outside of work, and why?
My favourite activity outside of work is being with family and friends. When I am not doing that, you can find me walking, jogging or snowshoeing in the winter months with my dogs.
Zafer Polat, Senior Community Relations Specialist, Turkey, Exploration
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I started with Teck in June 2006 in the Turkey office in Ankara. After a short break due to the global economic crisis in 2008, I returned in June 2009.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
As a Senior Community Relations Specialist, my main responsibility is to contribute to obtaining and sustaining social licences for our projects by setting and implementing appropriate strategies and goals. I manage community relations and media tracking, as well as communicate Teck’s exploration activities to local communities and relevant government agencies in a transparent, accurate and complete way.
What is your favourite part about your job?
My favourite part of my job is meeting and working with new people from Turkey and other countries. I also like being able to help communities meet their needs sustainably through the impact and influence of our projects.
What is your most memorable or proudest moment working at Teck to date?
In 2019, I was nominated for an Excellence Award in Sustainability by my colleagues, managers and Adrian King (retired, formerly Head of Exploration). The most memorable and proudest moment during my career was when Don Lindsay personally called to let me know that I was an Excellence Award winner.
If you could visit another site or office at Teck, which one would it be, and why?
Through my role I’ve had the opportunity to visit Teck offices in Ireland, Vancouver and Chile, but I would like to visit Australia, Peru or Mexico to learn more about their community relations programs and share knowledge with the teams there.
What community do you live/work in, and what about this place is special to you?
I live and work in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. I also have the chance to travel to projects all over the country. It is fantastic to live in such a historic country; Turkey is one of the greatest crossroads of ancient civilizations that lies between the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Turkey also links the two continents—Asia and Europe—at the city of Istanbul with three suspension bridges over the Bosporus. It is full of historic and natural beauty. Additionally, Turkey’s unique cuisine and desserts are excellent. I enjoy living here with my wife and seven-month-old son.
What is your favourite activity outside of work, and why?
I love to travel to both domestic and international destinations to experience different cultures and traditions. I also have a lot of fun while spending time with my family and my friends. Table tennis, volleyball and skiing are among my other favourite hobbies.
