People Moves: October 2023

Shaun Fantauzzo has been named vice president of policy and major projects for First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC). Based in Toronto, he will steer FNMPC’s policy objectives and play a key role in advancing Indigenous opportunities for economic and equity participation in major projects. Fantauzzo spent nearly a decade in progressively senior positions in the federal government, notably at the Finance Canada and Natural Resources Canada.

Dan Mott, president of Mott Electric, has been inducted into the Electrical Contractors Association of BC’s Hall of Fame. Dan’s grandfather William founded Mott Electric in 1930 and passed the company to his son, Don who ran it before Dan took over from his father in 1986.

Dave S. Dulay, vice president of project delivery (major projects) and alternative project delivery at McElhanney, has been selected as the new chair of Transportation Association of Canada (TAC’s) Geometric Design Revisions and Additions Subcommittee. The group supports TAC’s Geometric Design Committee in developing and improving Canada’s geometric design guidelines to enhance road operations and public safety while considering environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Jennifer Campeau is Aecon’s new vice president of indigenous relations. Campeau is a member of the Anishinaabe from Yellowquill First Nation with kinship ties to the Eastern Region III Metis Nation of Saskatchewan. With over 20 years of Indigenous policy experience, she will oversee and evolve Aecon’s Indigenous Relations activities – driving Aecon’s Indigenous partnerships and organizational actions supporting its Reconciliation Action Plan.

Barbara James, whose ancestral name is Ma̲lidzas, has been awarded the Outstanding Student Leadership Award by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The Red Seal carpenter and BCIT faculty member has taught high-performance building to students and trainers alike for the BCIT School of Construction and the Environment, participated in instructional videos with Nuxalk youth at BCIT, and was involved in the Building a Greener Future Together pilot project with the Institute.

Of Barbara’s many successes, she is most excited to return to her hometown of Port Hardy, B.C. to use her skills to help the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation—from which she descends—rebuild the nation’s Big House, where traditional Indigenous ceremonies such as potlatches are held.

– BCIT

Mathew Raso has been hired as senior vice president of roads at Infrastructure Ontario. Raso, a design and construction expert, has over 16 years of experience in the industry and a civil engineering degree. His last position was lead project manager for Green Infrastructure Partners.

Jacob Bros has announced three additions to its executive team. Matt Buechler has been promoted to vice president of pre-construction services⁣, Tony McCadden is now director of Major projects, and Todd Strynadka has been named vice president of JT Ready Mix & manager of technical services.⁣

Borja Franco is ACCIONA’s new head of business development for ACCIONA Concessions in North America after spending a decade in Australia. With over 14 years’ experience at ACCIONA in the origination, development, and financing of major infrastructure and PPP projects, Franco has been responsible for managing multiple consortium stakeholders including consortium partners, subcontractors, investors and lenders throughout the procurement phase of large infrastructure projects.

Dan Valin has joined the Cement Association of Canada as its new director of communications and marketing. Prior to joining the association, Valin was a senior account director for Alphabet.  

Walid Abou-Hamde, executive director at Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA), announced that he has joined Skilled Trades Ontario’s board of directors which helps advance the province’s workforce development strategy.

Darcy Kray has decided to retire from his role as president of Durwest Construction Management after 40 years in the industry. Kray co-founded the company in 1983. Zoe Mitchell is Durwest incoming president, effective this month. A CPA by trade, Mitchell recently spent six years as the president of CCH Management Group of companies.

We are immensely grateful for Darcy’s dedication and leadership. He is an expert in his field and his vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to delivering quality work has been instrumental in shaping Durwest’s legacy.

– Durwest

Colleen Fiske-Pinaud has begun a new role as communications advisor for the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board after spending nine years with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS). Fiske-Pinaud stated that she is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the organization as it expands to include offshore renewable energy.

Tammy Amstutz is joining the Calgary Construction Association team as director of workforce strategies. Prior to the announcement, Amstutz was working as chief people officer at ThinkTech Software Inc. where she played a pivotal role in the company’s rapid expansion over the last year. The association stated that part of her focus will be on helping address construction labour shortages and recruit more people into the industry.

⁣Bruce Gordichuk has been named interim CEO and new president of construction for the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC). Gordichuk will assume the role following the departure of Paul Gruner, who resigned effective October 20th.

Monte McNaughton has joined Woodbine Entertainment as their new vice president. McNaughton recently left a 15-year career in politics, notably as Ontario’s minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. Woodbine operates like a not-for-profit organization with the sole mandate of sustaining and growing horse racing in the province.