B.C.’s construction community honoured six companies and individuals for their leadership and contributions at the annual Construction Leadership Dinner held in Victoria and hosted by the BC Construction Association (BCCA). The gala dinner is one of the many festivities and events celebrating Construction and Skilled Trades Month in BC.
“These awards and BC Construction Month are a chance to showcase individual industry success stories like tonight’s winners and how they’re using innovation and best practices to grow their businesses, diversify our workforce, and support our communities,” said Chris Atchison, president, BCCA.
The Construction Leadership Award winners are:
Mike Maierle is an Under-40 leader on the rise in the construction industry. He started ETRO Construction in 2015 as a one-man operation and has grown the company to nearly 50 employees for 2018. Examples of ETRO’s innovative approach to success include: leveraging systems, programs and construction methods such as Passive House, Zero Emissions Building, Green Built, and CLT construction; using technology such as 3D BIM, REVIT in pre-fabrications and virtual and augmented reality technologies; and going paperless by 2020.
Gold Seal certified Brandon Ponopoulos joined TKI Construction in 2010 as a partner and became its sole owner in 2017. With a head office in Kelowna, TKI’s full-service building operation supports commercial, institutional, light civil and residential projects throughout B.C. At TKI, Brandon has created a workplace that is supportive of women and diversity, and free of harassment and bullying.
Iain Elder began his career in construction in 1978 and he has worked in many levels of the industry since then. In 2007, Iain was hired by ARMTEC as their technical support manager. Over the past 12 years, Iain’s leadership has focused on critical opportunities in the area of trades training, advocacy, and Women In Trades. Along the way, his commitment to the construction sector and his community has been recognized by Prince George’s mayor and city council as well as other community and business leaders.
Victoria-based Knappett Projects is one of Vancouver Island’s premier construction companies. Their impressive experience includes 35 plus years of construction management and general contracting work. Not only are they very active with the boards of both the Vancouver Island Construction Association and the BC Construction Association, Knappett Projects is also a strong supporter and promoter of apprenticeships, gold seal credentials and best-in-class fair, open and transparent procurement practices.
The STEP Award goes to DenMar Electric who are champions for apprenticeships. DenMar has worked closely with STEP for several years and sourced many electricians through the program. The company is committed to providing equal opportunity employment in the trades. Owned by Rick Bayko and Chris Turnbull, Denmar has been a “Best of the City” recipient every year since 2009.
The BidCentral Award goes to Farmer Construction. BidCentral is B.C.’s largest online marketplace for construction projects. Farmer Construction has always been ahead of the curve in its use of technology for construction procurement and has set the standard for simplifying the intention to bid process.
