Vancouver Island Construction Conference speakers

Allison Greaves
**Durwest Construction Management**

Allison is the Human Resource Manager at Durwest Construction Management. Durwest currently employs 50 employees and has been supporting and sponsoring apprentices for over 25 years. Durwest has been building publicly funded institutional projects on Vancouver Island, for nearly 30 years and has extensive experience ...
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Arthur Chung
**BCCA Employee Benefits**

Arthur joined the BCCA Employee Benefit Trust in October 2009 as their Vice President overseeing Operations and has been in the role of Chief Executive Officer since September 2016.With over 25 years of experience in the employee group and individual healthcare benefits industry in numerous senior capacities, he joins ...
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Chris Atchison
**BC Construction Association**

Chris is the President of the BC Construction Association (BCCA), the largest and most inclusive construction organization in the province. BCCA represents over 1500 non-union and union contractors active in all sectors of the industry, but primarily focused on Industrial Commercial and Institutional construction. BCCA...
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Franc D'Ambrosio
**FDARC**

Franc is the Principal Architect at D'AMBROSIO architecture + urbanism, an award-winning practice in architecture, research, planning and urban design.

SESSION: Tall Wood Construction: New Growth in a New Decade

Greg Gillespie
**Gillespie Land Management**

Greg is a creative and passionate land use consultant with proven success in negotiating and project management at a senior level. He offers 13 years of extensive leadership and real estate experience delivering end-to-end land management expertise in acquisitions, permitting and municipal affairs across multiple geogr...
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Dr. Guido Wimmers
**UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA**

Guido Wimmers joined the University of Northern British Columbia in 2014 as Chair for the Integrated Wood Design Program and implemented the interdisciplinary approach for engineering and design of modern wood structures, combining structural engineering with building physics and modern fabrication. Guido received his ...
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John Hankins
**Mid- Island Business Initiative**

John graduated from the University of South Wales and has an Executive MBA from the University of Bath. He moved to Canada in 2000 from the UK and has extensive experience in both the private and public sector. He has led teams across different countries and led business development efforts. During his time in Canada...
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John Knappett
**Knappett Projects Inc.**

John Knappett is Chief Executive Officer of Knappett Group of Companies. John is an experienced construction industry executive. His organization has completed projects throughout British Columbia in the Institutional, Commercial and multifamily housing sectors. Projects include highway bridges, wastewater treatment pl...
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Kristy Nikel

Lean U

As a Master Lean Black Belt with 17 years of experience teaching and applying the tools, Christy’s goal is to present Lean in a practical, effective and energizing way. She has experience communicating and working with executives, managers, supervisors and floor employees, making her comfortable with all levels of ...

Kyle Preston
**Industry Training Authority BC**

Kyle is a Red Seal Journeyman and has experience working directly with apprentices to increase continuation and completion. Kyle was formerly an Apprenticeship Teacher, Career Advisor, and Instructional Apprenticeship Assistant in post-secondary institutions. He is now an Apprenticeship Advisor at the Industry Trainin...
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Leonard Brody
**Business and Technology Visionary**

Closing Keynote Speaker: Business & Technology Speaker | Recently named one of the top 30 up and coming management thinkers in the world, Leonard Brody is known as “a leader of the new world order”. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, venture capitalist, bestselling author, and a two-time Emmy-nominated media...
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Mary Van Buren
**Canadian Construction Association**

Mary Van Buren is the president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). Mary is a proven leader with an exceptional track record in advancing member interests by introducing innovative world-class member services, promoting the value of the profession and advocating adoption of technology and standards to im...
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Matthew Baldwin
**City of Langford**

Matthew Baldwin has been a Planner with the City of Langford since 1997, and has been the Director of Planning for Langford since 2008. Matthew studied Geography at UBC, City Planning at the University of Manitoba and has a diploma in Land Use Economics from UBC also. When he is not helping to keep Langford going, ...
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Mike Kozakowski
**Citified Media Inc.**

Mike is the founder of Citified.ca, a real-estate resource for industry professionals and consumers. The organization provides new-build real-estate data, analytics, marketing, consulting and research services with a focus on southern Vancouver Island. Mike has been in the construction data industry since 2006.

Pam Jefcoat
**Civic Legal LLP**

Pam Jefcoat is a founding partner of Civic Legal LLP and has over 19 years of experience in local government and commercial real estate law. Pam also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and provides advice on a wide variety of local government matters, with a focus on land use planning, subdivision, rezoni...
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Randy Noble
**Houle Electric**

Randy started with Houle in 1983, working in the Warehouse/Purchasing Department in Victoria. In 1999, he was promoted to the role of Project Manager/Estimator, later being promoted again to the role of Division Manager for Victoria’s Construction team. As Division Manager, Randy is responsible for the overall func...
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Ritu Ahuja
**Kinetic Construction Ltd.**

Ritu Ahuja is the Lean Integration Leader at Kinetic Construction Ltd., Vancouver Branch, BC. Ritu holds a PhD in Built Environment focusing on Lean Construction and Virtual Design & Construction (VDC). She is also a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) committed to advancing the adoption of lean at Kinetic....
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Scott Bone
**Northern Regional Construction Association**

Scott Bone is the CEO for the Northern Regional Construction Association, located in Prince George. Prior to joining the Association, he served as the regional contract representative on the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline project. In this capacity he worked with local communities, contractors, and suppliers to...
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Sonia Sahota
**Civic Legal LLP**

Sonia Sahota is a lawyer, non-practising engineer, business owner, parent and consummate professional. Sonia is a founding partner of Civic Legal LLP and practises in the areas of procurement, construction and land development, with a particular focus on tendering law, procurement fairness and construction contractin...
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Susan Mowbray
**MNP LLP**

Opening Keynote Speaker: Economic Perspectives | Susan Mowbray is a Senior Economist and a Partner in MNP’s Economics and Research Practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in economic modelling and applying economic analysis in a variety of contexts. Susan’s work has included assignments for public sect...
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Tess Van Straaten

Conference Emcee: Tess van Straaten is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience doing everything from news and weather to hosting a live morning show.A fourth-generation Victorian, Tess went to Carleton University in Ottawa and got her first big break working on Parliament Hill as a reporter. A...
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Tyler Galbraith
**Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP**

Tyler Galbraith is a partner at the law firm Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP practices in the areas of construction law and commercial litigation. Tyler regularly drafts and provides advice on contracts and been involved in numerous appeals, trials, arbitrations and mediations. Tyler’s practice includes builders lien and ...
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Allison Greaves

Durwest Construction Management

Allison is the Human Resource Manager at Durwest Construction Management. Durwest currently employs 50 employees and has been supporting and sponsoring apprentices for over 25 years. Durwest has been building publicly funded institutional projects on Vancouver Island, for nearly 30 years and has extensive experience with government requirements. Allison is responsible for the recruitment and retention of staff, including the professional development and encouragement of apprenticeships. She has over 6 years of experience working on development projects on the South Island and is closely familiar with both public and private procurement processes. She holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management and is an active CPHR Member and Candidate.

Chris Atchison

BC Construction Association

Chris is the President of the BC Construction Association (BCCA), the largest and most inclusive construction organization in the province. BCCA represents over 1500 non-union and union contractors active in all sectors of the industry, but primarily focused on Industrial Commercial and Institutional construction. BCCA members include general contractors, trade contractors and suppliers, large and small, from all regions of BC.

Chris has an extensive background working in the association space with a passion to innovate and drive member value. In addition, Chris has developed an expertise for working collaboratively to ensure optimal results for employers, members, communities, and funders. Chris offers a wealth of experience, including 9 years as Chief Operating Officer at ASPECT and more than 15 years focussing on workforce development strategies, training and initiatives throughout BC. In addition to his work credentials, Chris holds an International Relations Degree from UBC.

Currently, Chris oversees many of the successful programs and strategic initiatives at BCCA, such as; Bid Central, Construction Month, the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), Integrating Newcomers (IN) and the Builders Code.

SESSION: The Art (and Science) of Working with Local Governments

Greg Gillespie

Gillespie Land Management

Greg is a creative and passionate land use consultant with proven success in negotiating and project management at a senior level. He offers 13 years of extensive leadership and real estate experience delivering end-to-end land management expertise in acquisitions, permitting and municipal affairs across multiple geographic regions.

As Founder of Gillespie Land Management, Greg has led a broad spectrum of projects, including residential revenue portfolios, telecommunications networks, multifamily developments, and waste-to-energy facilities. Currently, he is the Development Manager for Mike Geric Construction, a local developer and homebuilder known for their leadership in green building technology and energy efficiency.

Greg is currently working on an innovative multi-family project in Victoria which will be the tallest, first to market, and fully Mass Timber residential building in Canada.

SESSION: Tall Wood Construction: New Growth in a New Decade

Dr. Guido Wimmers

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Guido Wimmers joined the University of Northern British Columbia in 2014 as Chair for the Integrated Wood Design Program and implemented the interdisciplinary approach for engineering and design of modern wood structures, combining structural engineering with building physics and modern fabrication. Guido received his Doctoral degree in Engineering Sciences and a Master degree in Architectural Engineering from the Leopold Franzens University, Innsbruck, Austria. Before coming to UNBC, he worked in multi-disciplinary teams in Austria, Germany and Italy in research and engineering as well as architectural offices. He played a key role in the implementation of the International Passive House Standard in BC and across Canada. Guido is an internationally renowned expert in the field of energy efficient buildings, envelope design and building physics and an active member of several committees such as the BC Step Code committee. Having many years of industry experience, his passion is the fostering of collaboration between industry and academia.

SESSION: Tall Wood Construction: New Growth in a New Decade

John Hankins

Mid- Island Business Initiative

John graduated from the University of South Wales and has an Executive MBA from the University of Bath. He moved to Canada in 2000 from the UK and has extensive experience in both the private and public sector. He has led teams across different countries and led business development efforts. During his time in Canada, he devised and led the trade and investment for Calgary, Alberta. At the beginning of 2016, John moved to Vancouver Island and now promotes the benefits of the Mid-Island of Vancouver Island by supporting organizations who wish to learn more with a view to establishing a presence in the region.

John is also a licensed Commercial Realtor with NAI Commercial Central Vancouver Island Ltd.

SESSION: Welcome & Opening Keynote.

Leonard Brody

Business and Technology Visionary

Closing Keynote Speaker: Business & Technology Speaker |

Recently named one of the top 30 up and coming management thinkers in the world, Leonard Brody is known as “a leader of the new world order”. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, venture capitalist, bestselling author, and a two-time Emmy-nominated media visionary.

Over his career, Leonard has helped in raising hundreds of millions in capital for startup companies, been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history taking a company to a six billion market cap, and has been involved in the founding and successful exit of numerous companies to date.

Leonard is currently the co-founder and executive chairman of Creative Labs, a joint venture with CAA (Creative Artists Agency in LA), the largest sports and entertainment agency in the world. Leonard oversees the building of new ventures for some of the most well-known celebrities and political leaders in the world.

Leonard is also one of the proud owners of the professional soccer team Coventry City in England.

Learn more about his work: www.forbes.com/kpmg/the-great-rewrite/

Mary Van Buren

Canadian Construction Association

Mary Van Buren is the president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). Mary is a proven leader with an exceptional track record in advancing member interests by introducing innovative world-class member services, promoting the value of the profession and advocating adoption of technology and standards to improve professionalism. She excels at creating and communicating a compelling vision combined with focusing on developing and empowering people to generate positive outcomes for members.

An expert in marketing, communications, strategy and digital, she has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors and has held executive roles at leading associations and not-for-profits, including the Canadian Medical Association’s subsidiary, MD Financial Management, and Export Development Canada. In her most recent role as vice-president of marketing and IT at the Canadian Real Estate Association, Mary led a team of 60 to grow its premier services, REALTOR.ca and WEBForms® in the double digits, collaborating with over 90 boards and associations across Canada, significantly generating member value and promoting the value of REALTORS®.

In addition to her broad business experience and financial acumen, Mary holds an MBA in international business from McGill and a B. Com from the University of Ottawa, is bilingual and is a Certified Association Executive.

A seasoned volunteer board member, Mary is currently the president of Camp Fortune Ski Club; is an ambassador for Women Get on Board; past member of the board of directors of the Canadian Society of Association Executives; vice-president of communications of the International Association of Business Communicators (Ottawa) and president, American Marketing Association (Ottawa).

Olaf Nielsen

Camosun College School of Trades and Technology

Olaf Nielsen has worked both in the private and public sectors for over 40 years. His background includes operation of a sole-proprietor contracting business, college instructor in both the private and public college sector, provincial government apprenticeship counsellor and currently as Chair, Trades Development and Special Projects. In his role at the College, Olaf has the been the principal lead in developing and launching the Women in Trades Initiative, Indigenous Peoples Trade Initiative, Multi Industry Skills Training, Apprenticeship training for offenders in Correctional Services of Canada Institutions, Youth Partnerships, Innovative apprenticeship training models in partnership with School Districts, and Isolated and Remote Indigenous Communities. His role at Camosun also requires a close working relation with the Industry Training Authority, Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Social Development Canada, Transport Canada, Western economic Diversification, Industry Training Authority, and various provincial Public Post Secondary’s.

Pam Jefcoat

Civic Legal LLP

Pam Jefcoat is a founding partner of Civic Legal LLP and has over 19 years of experience in local government and commercial real estate law. Pam also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and provides advice on a wide variety of local government matters, with a focus on land use planning, subdivision, rezoning and redevelopment of residential, mixed-use and industrial properties. Pam has worked on numerous large-scale development projects throughout the Province and provides strategic and practical advice on project development, infrastructure financing and transactional matters. Pam speaks regularly throughout the Province on local government issues and is also on the CLEBC’s Editorial Board for the British Columbia Real Estate Development Practice Manual.

SESSION: The Art (and Science) of Working with Local Governments

Randy Noble

Houle Electric

Randy started with Houle in 1983, working in the Warehouse/Purchasing Department in Victoria. In 1999, he was promoted to the role of Project Manager/Estimator, later being promoted again to the role of Division Manager for Victoria’s Construction team. As Division Manager, Randy is responsible for the overall functioning of the Construction Group in Victoria, which includes setting budgets, generating new business, managing staff, and managing projects.

Randy has decades of experience in the electrical industry for various industries including retail units, hospitals, theatres, churches, commercial buildings, and schools. He has managed award winning projects: the Royal Jubilee Hospital Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and the Victoria General Hospital Fire Alarm Replacement, both of which won the prestigious VRCA Gold Award of Excellence.

Randy is currently Treasurer for the Electrical Contractors’ Association’s Vancouver Island Chapter since 2014. He is also an active member of the Vancouver Island Construction Association since 2011.

SESSION: Legal...Matters.

Ritu Ahuja

Kinetic Construction Ltd.

Ritu Ahuja is the Lean Integration Leader at Kinetic Construction Ltd., Vancouver Branch, BC. Ritu holds a PhD in Built Environment focusing on Lean Construction and Virtual Design & Construction (VDC). She is also a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) committed to advancing the adoption of lean at Kinetic. Prior to her recent leadership role, Ritu has worked as a successful lean coach, teacher and a mentor facilitating team building workshops, trainings for promoting collaborative team environment on construction projects. In the past, Ritu has also served as the Dean for the International Group for Lean Construction Conference (IGLC) Doctoral Summer School. She has published various international journal papers, book chapters, presented at international conferences. Ritu has spoken at various international forums, industry events and is recognized as an advocate for lean and BIM in the AEC industry. She currently sits on the organizing committee board of IGLC 2021 and is an active member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Project Management Institute (PMI), International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) and Building Smart Canada.

SESSION: Working Smarter, Not Harder: How Lean Creates a Collaborative Culture | Workshop

Scott Bone

Northern Regional Construction Association

Scott Bone is the CEO for the Northern Regional Construction Association, located in Prince George. Prior to joining the Association, he served as the regional contract representative on the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline project. In this capacity he worked with local communities, contractors, and suppliers to advance workforce development and procurement opportunities for the $6.2 billion-dollar project. In his role as CEO with the Northern Regional Construction Association, he continues to work in collaboration with Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada to develop and promote opportunities and provide leadership to a regional membership through advocacy and education.

Scott made the move to TransCanada from the City of Prince George where he had served in a variety of roles, culminating in the position of Director - Supply and Fleet Services, over a thirty-two-year career. Scott holds supply chain and management accreditations and has acted as an approved instructor for the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC). In addition, he has served on the Executive of the Quality Council of BC and PMAC, Board of Trustees for the BCCA Employee Benefit Trust, Director, Prince George Hospice Board of Directors, and was recently appointed to the City of Prince George’s Select Committee on Economic Development.

SESSION: Tall Wood Construction: New Growth in a New Decade

Susan Mowbray

MNP LLP

Opening Keynote Speaker: Economic Perspectives |

Susan Mowbray is a Senior Economist and a Partner in MNP’s Economics and Research Practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in economic modelling and applying economic analysis in a variety of contexts. Susan’s work has included assignments for public sector organizations, industry associations and private companies and has spanned a wide range of industries.

Susan has a deep understanding of the regional nature of BC’s economy and the factors that affect the economy of Vancouver Island. She has worked on a number of projects related to economic development on Vancouver Island including the development of economic indicators for economic development agencies, the assessment of the economic impacts of proposed developments, and periodic updates to the data used for the community profiles on the Trade and Invest British Columbia website.

Susan holds a MA in Economics from Simon Fraser University, has taught in the School of Business at BCIT and is a member of the Association of Professional Economists of BC.

Tyler Galbraith

Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP

Tyler Galbraith is a partner at the law firm Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP practices in the areas of construction law and commercial litigation. Tyler regularly drafts and provides advice on contracts and been involved in numerous appeals, trials, arbitrations and mediations. Tyler’s practice includes builders lien and tender cases, disputes arising from delays, defective work, contract termination, bond claims and insurance coverage. He is the author of numerous construction law articles and other publications, with a focus on contract, tender and builders lien issues. Tyler has also been a member of the Vancouver Island Construction Association Board and its Standards and Practices Committee.

SESSION: Legal...Matters.

Speakers

Allison Greaves

Arthur Chung

Chris Atchison

Franc D'Ambrosio

Greg Gillespie

Dr. Guido Wimmers

John Hankins

John Knappett

Kristy Nikel

Kyle Preston

Leonard Brody

Mary Van Buren

Matthew Baldwin

Mike Kozakowski

Olaf Nielsen

Pam Jefcoat

Randy Noble

Ritu Ahuja

Scott Bone

Sonia Sahota

Susan Mowbray

Tess Van Straaten

Tyler Galbraith