Ben Patton
CEO/Founder
Connor McCron
Co-Founder
Justin Hadley
Co-Founder
Justin Noble
Co-Founder
Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Patton, 31, is a wood waste expert and serial entrepreneur. He is the former Owner/Operator of Two Lions Tree & Landscape; with 10 years experience as a Climbing Arborist, Arborist Technician, Danger Tree Assessor, Occupational First Aider, and Wildlands Firefighter.
He has studied in BC Institute of Technology's Applied Biology Program, with a focus in Natural Resource/Environmental Protection and Urban Forestry, at University of Northern BC in the Natural Resources Management Program, and has a Wood Kiln Drying Certificate from University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry: Centre for Advanced Wood Processing.
In 2023, Ben was named as a Top 20 Under 40 for Canadian Forestry Professionals by Canadian Forest Industries Magazine. He was also named as an SFI Youth Delegate for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative at the Annual Conference, hosted in Vancouver, BC.
In late 2023, Ben was honored as a Mentor for the UBC Forestry and BioEconomy Tri-Mentorship Program, as well as a Green Mentor for PLT Canada's Green Mentorship Program.
Additionally, he was the Site Monitor for the District of North Vancouver's Deconstruction Bylaw Monitoring Program, providing oversight to contracting firms during deconstruction events of houses within the 1949 scope of the bylaw as well as monitor and document the event, record process and recover metrics, and report upon findings with statistics.
Also an outdoorsperson, horticulturist, landscaper, and woodworker, he is an avid environmentalist. A dedicated husband and father, he routinely spends his free time outside gardening, fishing, foraging, and hiking with his family.
Being the Director of Communications for the North Shore Streamkeepers, a Non-Profit, he has committed to making a difference in his community with political advocacy and utilizing municipal resources for spreading awareness of local environmental sustainability and zero waste principles!
Chief Technology Officer Connor McCron, 29, has similarly worked for multiple years as an Arborist Technician, with certifications as a 5th Class Power Engineer and HVAC Mechanic in Municipal Arena Infrastructure, and has a strong background in Forestry, Wildlands Firefighting, Silviculture, and Engineering.
He spent several years as a Wildlands Firefighting Crew Leader and Danger Tree Assessor, removing hazardous trees from the fire lines across the Province. Born and raised in an immigrant family, Connor knew from a young age that he was destined to give back to his local community.
Being a Wildlands Fire Line Crew Leader is no easy task, yet Connor was up to it. He spent a few years working as a Crew Lead for Apex Firefighting out of Nelson, BC, and has lived in the Okanagan most of his adult life. Crew Lead involved a large amount of protocol operations, systems of command and scope of ability, large project/event planning and coordination, and many more areas.
He also worked as an HVAC specialist with his 5th Class Power Engineer certification in the Vernon Community Ice Rink as an Arena Engineer, and has always had a knack for all things mechanical.
Chief Operating Officer Justin Hadley, 43, is a former GM of Growers Supply Co. for 4 years and an operations manager for Fedex for 8.5 years. He has extensive trade show experience with public speaking and brand representation and is well experienced in HR functions + Health/Safety management.
He has excellent customer experience and guest relations, and is well rounded with a healthy level of accounting and bookkeeping skills as an asset manager for BC Tree Fruits.
In the Lower Mainland, Justin had the privilege of contributing his skills to prominent companies such as RBC and FedEx Express.
Commencing at the ground level in both organizations, Justin navigated his way up the corporate ladder, seizing various management roles. Actively participating in numerous leadership and customer service programs, he honed his expertise throughout his career with these industry leaders.
At Gambrinus Malting, Justin assumed the role of Warehouse Manager for nearly two years. In this capacity, he supervised daily warehouse activities, including quality assurance, inventory control, space management, compliance with organic and food safety regulations, floor productivity, shipping, and customer service.
The relocation to the North Okanagan in 2015 marked a joyful move for Justin and his family. Joining BC Tree Fruits, he undertook the position of Asset Manager, overseeing assets totaling $17 million within the company. Subsequently, he transitioned to Growers Supply, an Agricultural & Farming Supply store owned by BC Tree Fruits.
Throughout his tenure with Growers Supply, Justin held diverse roles, showcasing his versatility. These roles included Store Manager, Health & Safety Manager, Logistics Manager, and General Manager. In his current position with Treecycle Canada, Justin is actively engaged with a company he finds amazing, believing it holds the potential for a life-changing experience.
Chief Strategy Officer Justin Noble, 25, is a dedicated communications, facilitation, and forestry professional with over two years of consulting experience, half of which has been directly related to forestry topics.
Past clients include the Ministry of Forests, West Fraser, the Cowichan Lake community Forest Cooperative, Drax Group, the Forestry Innovation Investment, and more.
Justin is working towards his IAP2 engagement practice certificate, has received formal training in Canadian Indigenous histories in Canada, and holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from SFU.
He is a continuous student of effective communication and a passionate advocate for sustainable communities. Having been born, raised, and based in North Vancouver nearly all of his life, Justin has a strong sense of place and is well connected in the Lower Mainland.