Mark Scharf
Mark recently retired from the University of Calgary where he was responsible for the delivery of capital projects across the organization. The annual workload entailed approximately 400 capital and renovation projects per year with an annual project spend of approximately $150M. During his 12- year tenure as Director, the Project Management Office delivered 9 new buildings including multiple teaching and applied research buildings, major infrastructure renewals, new residence halls and a new main library. Mark was actively engaged with procuring design and construction teams and negotiating and overseeing a wide variety of contracts including Design Build, Construction Management at Risk, Lump Sum and performance-based engagements. Mark brings 30 plus years of public sector experience with both post-secondary and health organizations including the Calgary Health Region and Age Care Senior Communities. Mark takes pride in building strong teams, mentoring the next generation of project professionals and engaging diverse stakeholders in achieving outstanding results.
Elisa Brandts, AAA, OAA, NSAA, FRAIC Stantec, Managing Senior Principal
Elisa is a Senior Principal and the Business Centre Managing Leader for our buildings group in British Columbia. Her role combines active senior team leadership and financial and studio management with managing significant projects, particularly of large-scale alternate delivery scope, IPD and those integrating Lean process. Elisa’s accomplishments include Eric Hamber Secondary School Replacement Project, Vancouver; Camosun College Alex and Jo Campbell School of Health Sciences, Victoria; Canalta Centre, (2015)*, Medicine Hat, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie Event Centre, (2006)*, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario; Youngstown Convocation Center, (2005)*, Youngstown, OH, USA; Rideau Carleton Raceway, (2000)*, Ottawa.
Dean Slater, P. Eng., GSC
Dean Slater is a Professional Engineer APEGA Life Member with 40 years’ experience in the construction and development industry. He is a Past President of the Calgary Construction Association (CCA) and has held various executive level positions working in General Contracting, Development, and the Alberta Health Services (AHS) project management group. Dean has worked on many significant projects in Alberta including Calgary’s Petro-Canada (Suncor) Centre, the Olympic Saddledome, the Hyatt Hotel, Telus Convention Centre, SMART Technologies Building, major hospital expansions, and the South Health Campus. His roles spanned estimating and construction management as both the General Contractor with CANA (Vice-President) and Ledcor Construction, Project Manager on the Smart Technologies Building, and Project Owner’s representative / Vice-President with AHS and Triovest Realty Advisors. Retiring in January 2018, Dean has embarked on a new role as a fundraising volunteer with Wellspring Calgary – a cancer support group providing programs and education to individuals diagnosed with cancer. Due in part to his volunteer efforts, Dean was recognized in 2018 with CCA’s “Person of the Year” award.
Art Winslow, Graham Construction, LEAN IPD Director
Art is proud to be Lean Director at Graham Construction. After completing Canada’s first Lean Hospital project over 10 years ago, Art’s name has become synonymous with the Lean collaborative approach to Design and Construction. As one of only a few certified lean construction instructors, he conducts workshops and teaches lean across Canada and has presented at countless industry-related conferences across North America. Additionally, he is asked to consult at all levels of Government, NGOs and Private firms
Facilitator: Debbie Hicks, B.Sc. DSH Consulting
With a comprehensive education background (Diploma in Business Administration, Bachelors of Science, teaching credential, and in progress MBA) learning has been at the core of her career. As former President of the Southern Interior Construction Association in BC for 22 years, liaising with the buyers of construction services, architects, engineers and contractors in advocacy and education brings a solid base to her expertise. In addition, her experience as the owner Rep for the construction of the new Clubhouse for the Kelowna Yacht Club has provided additional perspective. Through these experiences and teaching techniques, Debbie is able to bring both knowledge and interaction to the classroom – an ideal education environment.