Among them are scientists who work on the development of the Latvian forest industry Birch Program. Employees of Latvijas Finieris Group, who have been leaders and motivators of our team through the years. And special thanks this year to the leaders of many public organisations in Latvia, who strengthen social dialogue, good governance and represent the forest industry in the global fight for the sustainable use of land resources. 

Jānis Aļļis 
Manager of Latvijas Finieris tree nursery Zābaki 

A long-standing manager of Zābaki. Manager with the capital M! If the commercial law demands boards to look after their companies as upright and caring masters, then you should guide them by telling – they are supposed to work like Jānis Aļļis. 

Egils Baldzēns
Chairman of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia 

A social democrat with education as a philosopher. A sensitive negotiator who truly wants everyone to benefit. His perfectly developed analytical skills can substantiate any given topic with exact numbers. 

Andris Balodis  
Director of the structural unit Roundwood Production and Supply at the Joint Stock Company Latvia’s State Forests 

The benchmark of confidence, honesty, and justice of the Latvian state forest management. If there is an agreement with Andris, it will be fulfilled. Promises kept! 

Kristaps Ceplis
Member of the Board of the Association Zaļās mājas 

Wood application apologist. With the natural talent of a storyteller, he spreads the messages of the forest industry near and far. He firmly believes with heart and soul that it is possible to achieve a sustainable balance between nature and human well-being. 

Jānis Donis
Researcher at Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava 

The counter of Latvian forests. If you wonder – how many trees are there in Latvia? Ask Jānis, and you will certainly get an answer. From all possible angles and cross-sections of this theme. 

Arnis Gailis
Researcher at Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava 

Economically minded master of forest tree breeding. How to grow more, faster, and more suitable for processing, while at the same time preserving in our future forest stands genetic codes that are typical for Latvia.   

Vitālijs Gavrilovs
Honorary president of Employers’ Confederation of Latvia 

Strengthener of tripartite negotiations in social dialogue. Being the leader of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia for many years, Vitālijs has always highly esteemed the honour of our country. Not to discredit it, he has retained a surprising sense of empathy towards the changing circle of the heads of state and government officials. 

Andris Grafs
Vice president of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance 

Teacher, advisor, ambassador of proper management. The perpetual engine of Andris’ inner energy provides the capacity to simultaneously educate others, learn new things himself, and use the acquired knowledge in praxis. Andris manages to combine these qualities for the benefit of society. 

Tina Haugdahl
Director of Riga Wood Sweden AB 

She is something special! With profound wisdom of life, vision of the order of things and ability to assign everyone their role. Not always do opinions match, but we have learned so much from Tina. 

Jurģis Jansons
Director of Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava 

Forest researcher and an ambassador of Latvian silviculture worldwide. A person who respects and protects not only all the species that live on our Earth but also human labour. 

Mindaugas Kasmauskis
Director of UAB Likmerė 

Herald of Latvijas Finieris in Lithuania. Herald? Rather an ambassador who carries out the interests and promotes the name of Latvijas Finieris in Lithuania, at the same time being a true patriot of his country. 

Kristaps Klauss
Executive director of Latvian Forest Industry Federation 

A one-person orchestra. Advisor, advocate, diplomat, analyst and sometimes also the lightning rod of the forest industry… Without Kristaps’ rationally logical suggestions, which are permeated with honesty and love for his country, many processes now would happen differently. 

Pēteris Krīgers
Retired, long-standing chairman of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia 

Strengthener, user, and promoter of social dialogue as a substantial value even in the most critical crisis situations. If we could only use a few words to characterize Pēteris – a true national patriot. 

Indulis Kovisārs
Executive Board member of Latvijas Finieris, Head of Forest Sector 

A man of conscience and honour. A person – bridge. A bridge between business and forest industry; a bridge between different human opinions and beliefs. He consistently expresses his opinion so elegantly that not everyone is destined to grasp it. 

Ari Laakso
Retired, long-standing director of Riga Wood S.r.l. 

Strategist and visionary. Ari’s structural approach to strategic planning is essential to the development of Latvijas Finieris. With his patient perseverance, he has shaped the path to achieving company goals, which nowadays we have become so used to. By sharing his experience and knowledge, Ari has proven to be an everlasting member of the Latvijas Finieris team. 

Mārtiņš Lācis
Executive Board member of Latvijas Finieris, Head of Marketing, Sales and Logistics 

The translator of collaboration. A diplomat, juggler and fakir who can sell merchandise to the Eastern market by applying Western customs and vice versa. He manages to combine the incompatible and take care of the wolf while keeping the goat alive. 

Stephane Levoir
Director of Riga Wood France S.A.R.L. 

A wise salesman who knows his product, the market, and his clients. He provides predictability and stability that the harshest crisis can try to shake but not destroy. It can only be possible if you are a true professional. 

Kaspars Liepiņš
Leading researcher at Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava 

The improver of birch growing praxis. Perfectly knows birches and all Latvia’s birches perfectly know Kaspars! 

Līga Meņģelsone
Director General of Employers’ Confederation of Latvia    

Argument-based patriot of her country. Delves into each subject to the roots and, through understanding the essence of the matter, protects truths that increase the benefits for the public. Efficiently manages to structure the complexities by creating a comprehensible narrative. 

Arnis Muižnieks
CEO of the Latvian Forest Owners’ Association 

The unifier of the intelligence of all Latvian forest owners. He knows how to listen to different points of view with deep empathy, and combine them into well-balanced stories to the audience. 

Ainārs Ozols
Entrepreneur, council member of Riga municipality limited liability company Rīgas satiksme, long-standing former chairman of the board at SEB Banka 

An outstanding change leader in business. There is a saying that you really get to know your partners only in a moment of difficulties. Thank you, Ainārs and your team, for demonstrating the highest level of interaction between bank and client during the global financial crisis. 

Andris Plezers
Retired, co-founder, and long-standing executive director of public organizations Latvijas koks and Latvijasmēbeles 

One of the formers of self-awareness in the forest industry. Always smiling, sociable and delicate. Andris has always known how to look for the truth through dialogue, thus offering an essential contribution during times of important turning points in Latvia’s economy. 

Andris Ziemelis 
Retired engineer, relentless history admirer 

Historian of the forest industry and Latvian economy with a touch of social anthropology. A living encyclopaedia who is welcomed in every library like an old friend. When he reads, he is not looking for data, but regularities that build a bridge from the past to the present.