Key Personnel

Keith Becker, B.A.Sc., Engineering
President

Keith is continually shaping Econotech to meet the changing needs of pulp & paper mills as they seek to increase efficiencies and open new markets. Prior to taking the helm at Econotech, his experiences included delivering digester control systems for Modo-Chemetics and paper mill wrap lines for Valmet Automation. Keith has a B.A.Sc., Engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Rob Robinson, B.Sc. (Plant Biochemistry), PhD (Wood Science)
CEO

Rob oversees the resourcing of the technical teams to ensure responsiveness, quality and value for Econotech’s customers. His past experience includes roles in commercial service delivery management and workflow optimisation, as well as research related to wood properties and kraft pulping. He has a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biochemistry from Massey University, New Zealand as well as a PhD in wood science from the University of British Columbia.

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Allen Upton
Business Development Manager

Allen has spent all his working life in the chemical industry. As a development chemist he worked with synthetic polymers designed for the paper, coatings and building industries. His career path has contributed management experience in operations, finance and sales. He holds a CTD in Analytical Chemistry, Coatings Chemistry, B.Com in Operations Research/Business Economics and Production Management.
His philosophy is...
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Theodore Roosevelt

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Sandra Fodor, Dipl.T.
Manager - Pulp & Paper Testing

Customers know Sandra as a problem-solver and a great resource. She has 30 years of paper-testing experience with Econotech. She has a Diploma of Technology in Biological Sciences from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

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Eric Chao, Ph.D.
Senior Technical Specialist - Contaminant ID

Eric has been analyzing forest product and related materials for more than 30 years and is an expert in FTIR techniques. Prior to joining Econotech, he was the Technical Manager at Applied Chemistry Laboratories Ltd. and Section Head of the Applied Chemistry Section at MacMillan Bloedel Research.

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Liz Baterina, Dipl.T
Delivery Manager - Chemistry Services

Liz leads the customer facing branch of the Chemistry team, ensuring well-targeted testing and value to our customers. Over ten years’ experience in a variety of testing, quality, operational and delivery management roles at Econotech have given her a uniquely informed perspective on our capabilities, and the insight required to bridge lab and industry. She holds a Diploma of Technology in Chemical Sciences from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is currently completing a degree in Environmental Engineering.

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Patricia Oikawa, B.Sc.
Technical Service Coordinator - Chemistry Services

With a passion for client engagement, Patricia is a primary contact for testing advice, order coordination and work in progress communications. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Alberta.

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Brad Wishart
Supervisor - Pulping, Bleaching and Dissolving

Brad has extensive experience working in the Pilot Plant at Econotech for 10 years, working with a wide range of materials and project designs. Prior to joining Econotech, Brad completed a diploma in Chemical Sciences with a focus on the pulp and paper industry.

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