Interview with John Brink

Entrepreneurs Visiting Victor

Interview with John Brink, who was born in Nazi-occupied Holland at the beginning of the Second World War. From the time he could walk, his days often consisted of foraging for food with his brother and sister. His mother was left to raise the three kids alone when their father was drafted into the Dutch Army. They wouldn’t know if he was alive until the liberation of their village, by Canadian soldiers, on April 12, 1945. This was the exact moment John determined he would make his life in Canada … the land of his heroes. He was only five years old.

After serving in the Dutch Air Force for two years, John subsequently emigrated to Canada in July 1965, arriving in Prince George with $25.47 in his pocket. John’s other lifelong dream of owning a sawmill came to fruition 10 years later in 1975 with the creation of Brink Forest Products, which has since become North America’s leading secondary manufacturer of value-added wood products.

At 83, John continues to success in his role as President and CEO of the Brink Group of Companies and 10+ other companies. John is the author of three books and the host of the ON THE BRINK Podcast series. He is also a fierce advocate for erasing the stigma surrounding ADHD, something John has lived with his entire life.

In recognition of John’s lifelong achievements, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree by the University of Northern British Columbia. Less than a month later, he also received the Order of B.C. in June 2019, the highest achievement a civilian in BC, Canada can achieve.

His web site is http://www.johnabrink.com