Blog

Andrew Stringer
Falcon Engineering
Andrew is a mechanical engineer and principal at Falcon Engineering, with 15 years of experience in consulting. His areas of practice range from institutional and civic buildings, through single-family and multifamily residential. In addition to this, his industrial experience includes agriculture and agri-food processing, as well as pharmaceutical and clean manufacturing facilities. Andrew's work in planning, tendering, and completing major mechanical capital projects gives him a balanced and relatively unique perspective on the business, legal and technical aspects of our local construction industry.

Gary Desert
Ledcor Construction Ltd.
Gary completed a Rolls Royce Aero Div. apprenticeship before joining, then running, the family construction business in the U.K. for more than 30 years, being `hands-on` in all aspects of residential construction/renovations. He relocated the family to Kelowna, worked as a Stone Mason prior to joining a local company as an Estimator, moved companies to be a Manager/Estimator for all exterior finishes, then joined Ledcor as Special Projects Manager. This `morphed` into his current role as an Estimator, including running Special Projects, as well as a Project Manager, Estimator, and Site Superintendent/Advisor as required.

Gordon Grieves
Venture Mechanical Systems Ltd.
Gordon is owner/founder of Venture Mechanical Systems Ltd., which was established in 1994 and has grown to include a service company, VMS Comfort Plus, and a steel fabrication division, sheet metal division, as well as a fire suppression division. Gord believes that emphasis on cooperation and safety in the workplace are 2 of the most important factors that contribute to procurement of projects and the successful completion of these projects. Gord is involved in all aspects of the business, from general management and administration to mechanical design and estimating. Ensuring that projects proceed smoothly from start to finish is an important management role that results in lasting relationships with his customers. Gord has no desire for employees to remain as labourers, and encourages employees to pick a trade in which they have an interest to become journeyed. Venture currently employs 47 Journeyman / Apprentices and maintains a stable workforce. 

Justine Geboers
Houle Electric
A recent addition to Houle, Justine is Regional Manager for the Interior, Okanagan, and BC North. Having moved up from the Lower Mainland last July, she is interested in forming community and industry relations. Previous to Houle, Justine was the Pricing Manager for Gescan, spent several years as Regional Sales Manager outside of the construction industry, and worked for the high tech industry in Ontario, with various responsibilities for Anixter, 3Com, and Ericsson.

Mark Melissen
Wildstone Construction Group
Mark is the President of Wildstone Construction Group, a diversified self-performing GC that operates throughout western and northern Canada. He is a local SICA local rep and SICA Under 40 committee. Mark’s other volunteer experience includes MSABC (Mining Suppliers Association BC), Treasurer for the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, and he is currently on the OSNS Foundation Board.

Maryssa Dandurand
Twincon Enterprises
Maryssa started out in environmental sciences, monitoring construction projects and doing local developments. She then moved in to working in an excavation company, starting out with the bookkeeping, which quickly progressed in to managing the company as an Operations Manager. Her main activities include managing and overseeing all financial operations and decisions, HR and Safety, and the overall day to day operations of the company. 

Phillip Stagg-Tanner
Acres Enterprises
Phillip is an established executive professional, with extensive experience in the public and private sectors of both Government and private sector development projects. He is a strong operation and commercial leader, with a proven track record of success working in both commercial and industrial projects ranging from, $2m - $140m, in traditional and modular construction methods.