Owen Lee
owen.l@summitreforestation.com
902-691-7070
About Me:
Money, mountains and campfires. These are the things that got me to take the initial leap out of my nest of rural Nova Scotia into the great outdoors of very rural BC three summers ago. Although planting has granted me with all three, the aspects that keep me coming back are considerably different: cultivation of work ethic, comradery and being able to get away from society and screens are all characteristics I personally love about the job. By summer I may be a professional dirty person but during the offseason you can find me in Fredericton, New Brunswick where I am finishing my Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Engineering and accompanying minor in Mathematics and Statistics at UNB. In other words, lots of time spent in a chair looking at a computer. Planting is my vacation from the world of software development, getting me outside while still financing school. Come planting season you better believe I will be rip-roaring and raring to go after a long winter of coding and calculus. |
Industry Experience:
I completed three planting seasons with Summit, each season progressing and reaching a new personal best. With consistent improvement and a spice of friendly competition I found great success, finishing in the top few percentiles of planters company-wide in my second and third seasons. Rounding out my third season, I felt that I had reached my potential as a planter. This year I am thrilled to tackle the challenge as a crew boss, giving me the opportunity to help others realize and fulfill their potentials as well.
Expectations for crew:
I would argue that the most important qualities for success in this line of work nobody, including myself, can teach you. If you can meet these expectations below on a daily basis and don’t mind wet feet, you will fit right in on my crew.
● Motivated and Goal Oriented
If there is one bullet point to define a baller planter it would be this one. Planting trees is grueling work. There needs to be a reason to get up every day and put in the hours.
● Positive attitude
Refer to quote*
● Mutual Respect
Everyone's contributions and opinions are valid and important and need to be treated thusly.
● Willing and Eager to Learn
Tree planting is as complex as you want it to be and there are always new things to learn and refine. Continuously pushing yourself to learn new things will keep the job interesting and keep that pay check increasing.
What you can expect from me:
● Hard Work
At some point you have to put your head down and work. I cannot expect my planters to push themselves if I am slacking. I will be the hardest worker on the crew, and yes, that is a challenge.
● Transparency
Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing the plan or receiving instructions without explanation. Clear rational discussion is a beautiful thing and ensures everyone is working together at maximum efficiency.
● Proficiency
There are very few things in my life I have done as many times as planting a tree. Before moving up as a foreman, I ensured that I honed my craft, I am confident in my abilities and can help planters of any level push through their plateaus and achieve their full potential.
● High Level Coaching
Tummy feel is a good teacher, but sometimes it doesn’t cut it. Developing structured ways to help planters learn the techniques and tools they need to improve their abilities on the block is one of the aspects I am most excited for.
● Sarcastic comments when you are sad in the rain
An occupational hazard, apologies, non-negotiable
Favourite Movie:
Step Brothers
Favourite Book:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Quote:
" I think I can. I think I can. I know I can" -The Little Engine that Could
I completed three planting seasons with Summit, each season progressing and reaching a new personal best. With consistent improvement and a spice of friendly competition I found great success, finishing in the top few percentiles of planters company-wide in my second and third seasons. Rounding out my third season, I felt that I had reached my potential as a planter. This year I am thrilled to tackle the challenge as a crew boss, giving me the opportunity to help others realize and fulfill their potentials as well.
Expectations for crew:
I would argue that the most important qualities for success in this line of work nobody, including myself, can teach you. If you can meet these expectations below on a daily basis and don’t mind wet feet, you will fit right in on my crew.
● Motivated and Goal Oriented
If there is one bullet point to define a baller planter it would be this one. Planting trees is grueling work. There needs to be a reason to get up every day and put in the hours.
● Positive attitude
Refer to quote*
● Mutual Respect
Everyone's contributions and opinions are valid and important and need to be treated thusly.
● Willing and Eager to Learn
Tree planting is as complex as you want it to be and there are always new things to learn and refine. Continuously pushing yourself to learn new things will keep the job interesting and keep that pay check increasing.
What you can expect from me:
● Hard Work
At some point you have to put your head down and work. I cannot expect my planters to push themselves if I am slacking. I will be the hardest worker on the crew, and yes, that is a challenge.
● Transparency
Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing the plan or receiving instructions without explanation. Clear rational discussion is a beautiful thing and ensures everyone is working together at maximum efficiency.
● Proficiency
There are very few things in my life I have done as many times as planting a tree. Before moving up as a foreman, I ensured that I honed my craft, I am confident in my abilities and can help planters of any level push through their plateaus and achieve their full potential.
● High Level Coaching
Tummy feel is a good teacher, but sometimes it doesn’t cut it. Developing structured ways to help planters learn the techniques and tools they need to improve their abilities on the block is one of the aspects I am most excited for.
● Sarcastic comments when you are sad in the rain
An occupational hazard, apologies, non-negotiable
Favourite Movie:
Step Brothers
Favourite Book:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Quote:
" I think I can. I think I can. I know I can" -The Little Engine that Could