Doug Joy was born and educated in Christchurch where he completed an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering.
In 1954 Doug joined Fletcher Construction Ltd. to work on the Tasman Pulp and Paper Mill then being constructed at Kawerau, where he was responsible for assembling the paper machine at the mill.
Doug worked as a project manager for Fletchers until his retirement in 1995. As a manager, Doug had to deal with issues such as strikes and absenteeism.
As well as his long career with Fletchers, Doug also worked for himself for a period of three years. Major projects he worked on included the Lyttelton Tunnel, Auckland’s NZ Steel mill, Christchurch’s Rydges Hotel and Crowne Plaza, and Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre.
