TOP 10 AEC LEADERS IN B.C. AND ALBERTA
Contributing to business and community
CDCR staff writer
How do you select 10 leaders within
BC and Alberta’s architectural, engineer-
ing and construction community?
In some respects, the task is easy.

There are exceptional accomplishments,
meaningful community service, and visi-
bility from clear and obvious accomplish-
ments. In other respects, it is challenging, be-
cause (while there are objective criteria),
the ultimate decision is subjective. We’ve
probably left many worthy businesses
and individuals out of this list.

Setting a Top 10 list is challenging
enough, ranking within the list is almost
impossible, given the many variables that
go into ensuring it is right to include any-
one on the list. So these individuals are
listed alphabetically by surname, followed
by their companies.

Marc-Antoine Cuerrier, True North
Labor Inc.

Marc-Antoine Currier is just 35 years
old, but already he has built a reputation
in a leadership role at the Vancouver Re-
gional Construction Association’s U-40
Council. True North Labor, a Burnaby-
based staffing agency, provides skilled
workers to trade contractors in the ICI
construction industry. Currier also works
as a volunteer developing a cross-fit pro-
gram for youth with autism.

“It’s important to continue to learn and
grow and not to be afraid to make mis-
takes,” he said. “Most often there is no
‘doing it right the first time’ so you just
have to get up and keep going.”
Alan Fletcher, AFC Construction
Allan Fletcher is the current chair of
the BC Construction Association’s (BCCA)
board of directors, clearly indicating he
belongs in this Top 10 list. Fletcher has
owned sucessful construction companies
in Victoria and Courteny/Comax over the
past two decades. His business special-
izes in commercial, light industrial and
multi-family proprojects,ects, as well as
award-winning custom homes.

He is a licenced carpenter and joiner
and currently completes about $10 million
annually in construction projects, and has
served as a board member of the Vancou-
ver Island Construction Association. He
has spoken at several conferences for the
construction and development industry.

Jason Glue, Graham Construction
Jason Glue, a BCCA board member
works as Graham Group Ltd’s district
manager in Delta, and has been a mem-
ber of the VCRA for six years. The BCAA
14 – Spring 2018 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
observes that he believes that associa-
tions represent and support the industry
as well as educate and advocate. “We
offer the industry a voice as well as a
place to gather and network,” he says.

“It brings people together and develops
relationships.” Maegan Harvey, ROV Consulting
Richard Visscher, president of
Kelowna-based ROV Consulting, calls
structural engineer Maegan Harvey bril-
liant and incredibly helpful to all the
homebuilders with whom she works. “As
structural engineers we touch many pro-
jects and are instrumental in solving many
problems as we create the ‘skeleton’ for
the homebuilders,” he said. “Maegan has
been working for ROV Consulting for six
years, as well as during her work co-op
terms while going to UBCO. It’s high
time she be recognized for her many tal-
ents as an engineer.”
In addition to her formal responsibili-
ties, Harvey helped put together ROV’s
OQM (Organizational Quality Manage-
ment Program) manual, which allowed
the company to become certified with
APEGBC (Association of Professional En-
gineers and Geoscientists of British
Columbia.) Matt Hanlon, Kays Road Contracting
Matt Hanlon built a small residential
and excavation company in Nelson, BC
into a trusted contractor working with
home builders and civil projects across
the West Kootenay region. In the past
year, the company’s 10 employees com-
pleted 60 projects. The company sup-
ports local initiatives including the
Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, the
ALS Walk, Little Oasis Benefit Society and
Castlegar Rotary. (See story page x.)
Paul Heyens, Alberta Glass
Company Inc.

Paul Heyens is chair of the Alberta
Construction Association. In his business
description, he makes these observa-
tions, which reflect his values:
“We strive for excellence every day.

We are always on the hunt for new and
innovative ideas. There is nothing more
important than the health of our people,
the public and providing a safe operating
environment for both. We excel at effec-
tive identification, evaluation and execu-
tion of opportunities.

“We value our suppliers and technical
support providers as they are integral
parts of our success. Together they en-
able us to develop new products and sys-
tems to provide state of the art projects.”
Angela McKerlich, Capri Insurance
Service BCAA vice-chair Angela McKerlich is a
partner and contract surety manager,
based in Kelowna. In a statement, the
BCAA observers that her extensive volun-
tarism on behalf of the construction in-
dustry “comes from a belief that
advocating for-- and creating – proactive
solutions to industry problems helps to
foster fair, open and transparent practices
that strengthen the sector as a whole and
build trust." She focuses her association
work on risk management education and
advice for members and the industry at
large. Sonny Sangha, ICE Development Ltd.

Sonny Sangha has translated his pro-
ject management into a passion for con-
struction, building (since the company’s
founding in 2004 when he was 27) a cor-
porate culture of growth and learning. The
general contractor has close to 50 staff,
with 20 to 30 projects at a time.

“My dad taught me that respect and
reputation have to be earned,” he says.

“With every project we take on, that is the
goal, to earn respect and continue to
grow our reputation for being able to de-
liver projects successfully.”
Claire Seymour, Lacey Developments
Claire Seymour has achieved success,
turning a temporary work visa opportunity
in 2006 into her Canadian citizenship and
a senior role with Lacey Development Inc.

Lacey came from Australia. “Erik
(Lacey – president of the company) real-
ized that I knew how to use power tools
and I guess he saw my potential,” she
said. “As Erik’s company started to grow I
transitioned out of working on site as
much and started helping him manage
projects. I completed a construction man-
agement course and now I look after all
of our new custom housing projects.”
Tiffany Whitnack, NORR
Architect Tiffany Whitnack has pro-
gressively taken on more responsibilities
and management duties at NORR. She
now works on large and complex projects
within the company’s Public Works stu-
dio. She engages with the Kinette Club of
Canada. “Along with this group of won-
derful women we are enhancing quality
of life in our community by promoting ser-
vice, fellowship, positive values and na-
tional pride.” (See story page 16.)



TOP 10 AEC LEADERS IN B.C. AND ALBERTA
Kays Road Contracting serves civil
and residential projects within
B.C.’s West Kootenay region
Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
From its roots as a small residential landscaping and
excavation company, Nelson, B.C. based Kays Road Con-
tracting (Kays Contracting), has grown into a trusted con-
tractor, involved with home builders, and civil projects
across the province’s West Kootenay region including
Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Slocan Valley, North Shore of
Kootenay Lake, Salmo and all areas in between.

Today the company works with homeowners on resi-
dential projects, as well as with general contractors, de-
velopers and municipal and provincial government
clients on civil projects.

Kays Contracting’s range of residential services in-
clude project planning, excavation, septic system instal-
lation, utility connections and landscaping. Civil project
services include road repair and installation of water
mains, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.

The company owns and maintains a diverse fleet of
equipment to take on a variety of projects, and also has
trusted relationships with other local contractors for
whom it can source other equipment that may be re-
quired. Owner Matt Hanlon says his staff of 10 last year com-
pleted 60 projects. “Our range of services offers great
value to clients. We are able to perform more aspects of
projects than many competitors and deliver the results
they need with less management.”
One recent project on which the team was able to
offer multiple services was the demolition, excavation
and site services required for the new Taghum Shell ser-
vice station construction west of Nelson.

Hanlon says Kays Contracting has become a relied-
upon partner for many local general contractors because
of its key values that include the tenacity to work through
challenges with a cool head; quality; and personal ac-
countability. Hanlon says the company supports local initiatives in-
cluding the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, the ALS
walk, Little Oasis Benefit Society and Castlegar Rotary.

For more information, visit www.kayscontracting.com.

EX CA AVV A TING | CIVIL CONSTRUCTION | LANDSCAPING
kayscontracting.com 250.509.1567
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Spring 2018 – 15