John Brink Episode 2: Attitude – Passion – Work Ethic

John A. Brink was born in 1940 in Nazi-occupied Holland during WWII. From the time he could walk, his days often consisted of foraging for food with his brother and sister during harsh warlike conditions, surrounded by death and hardship, especially during the hungry winter of 1944/45. John’s mother was left to raise her three kids alone when their father was drafted into the Dutch Army. They wouldn’t know if he was dead or alive until the liberation of their village by Canadian soldiers on April 12, 1945. This was when John determined he would one day move to Canada - the land of his heroes. He was only five years old when this decision was rendered. Like many others who lived through that time, John has lived his entire life with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from being in a warzone. 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 ten 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 years of age (as of this writing), John continues to succeed as President and CEO of the Brink Group of Companies and 10+ other companies. John authored three books and hosted 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 his spare time, John enjoys riding dressage, body-building, philanthropy, writing, public speaking, and spending time with his family, wife, and animals. In recognition of John’s lifelong achievements, the University of Northern British Columbia awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree. 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. John committed to a 1-million-dollar donation to the College of New Caledonia to help support the Trades And Technology Centre. John’s vision with this donation is to create a Centre of Excellence for Northern British Columbia to enhance Northern workforces, economies, and population growth. He authored “ADHD Unlocked,” “Finding Your Passion – Living The Dream, and “Against All Odds,” which are available wherever books are sold.