Founder of Urban Wood Waste Recyclers Inc. passes away
Sean Mabberley passed away on Friday November 20, 2009. Sean is the founder and President of Urban Wood Waste Recyclers Ltd. Urban Wood Waste or the other “Urban” processes wood waste from the construction industry. Urban Wood Waste has two plants, one in New Westminster the second in Vancouver.
I have learnt many things from Sean over the years and I am so thankful to have known him, even just a little. Sean had an extra ordinary ability to say things exactly as they were. He chose his words carefully and thoughtfully and rarely used more words then were required to describe a situation, the problem or the solution. I recall negotiating over an issue that effected both of our businesses, I was describing the solution that our company could provide for his company (I thought fairly clearly) and I probably used several adjectives that coated over the service we were to provide. When I finished describing our solution, I remember Sean’s response as clearly as if he said it to me today: ”Can you say that again, but like it is.” And he was right. I had not described our position in a clear an uncomplicated fashion, I had sugar coated my remarks with catch phrases and adjectives that took away from its meaning. After that meeting, I vowed to myself to try and emulate Sean’s style of comunication. I can truly say I admired this skill and have tried use Sean’s clear, concise and no nonsense approach in all aspects of our business. I am certain that I have tried this, but I am not certain I have mastered it.
Sean also had an amazing ability to see the larger or big picture on issues that centered themselves around his business and the waste management industry as a whole. He was an incredible and insightful resource on many questions about the future of waste management in the Lower Mainland and around North America. I had the great honor of sitting on a reference panel with him for Metro Vancouver. It was clear to me that the quality of the debate and the meeting were always greatly improved when he was able to attend. Sadly his health did not allow for regular attendance in the last few months.
Sean has successfully built a business that is one of the largest wood waste recycling companies in the Lower Mainland. A business poised to grow and serve the market in an efficient, cost effective and visionary way. Wood waste recycling might not become mandatory in the Lower Mainland for a few more years, but when it does, Urban Wood Waste will help serve as a processor of this material. Without Sean’s vision and determination the Metro Vancouver regions waste diversion statistics would be a lot lower. I am saddened that he won’t see the fruits of his labour. I am saddened that I won’t see him again. But I am honored to have known him as a competitor, business acquaintance an industry pier.
I will miss you Sean.
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Sean was a straight shooter, an innovater and a visionary who had the ability through sheer force of will to get things done. Even when he was really sick, he never wavered from his convictions. He had the ability to balance the needs of the company and the needs of the community as a whole. I remember one meeting when we were discussing Metro Vancouver’s desire to go from 50% to 70% diversion and most of us were thinking about how this plan could benefit us. Sean’s take was completely different he looked us straight in the eye and said, it’s our job to figure out how to support Metro Vancouver in achieving their goal, all the other stuff will fall in line. He is right and that is what we are going to do. I’m really going to miss him and his clear thinking, high level of passion and unquestionable integrity.