Facilitator: Debbie Hicks, BSc
With a comprehensive and varied education background, 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 representative for the construction of the new Clubhouse for the Kelowna Yacht Club has provided additional perspective. She has been fortunate to work with the Alberta Construction Association to facilitate industry dialogue on “Optimizing the Flow of Money” and “Non-Standard Contract Clauses and their Costs”. Through these experiences, with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, Debbie is able to bring both knowledge and insight into her work and presentations for the construction industry.
Mark Scharf, BA Hons, MHA, Calgary Health Region and University of Calgary (retired), Senior Director
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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.
Craig Shirra, B.Tech, GSC, PSQ, LEEDGA, UBC Properties Trust, Director, Development
Craig is currently the Director of Development at UBC Properties Trust, where he acts as the owner’s project manager for all new capital projects at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus and Kelowna region.
Craig started his construction career as a steel stud and drywall tradesman working on some of Vancouver’s most significant projects pre-Olympics like the Richmond Oval, BC Place renovation and Queen Elizabeth Theatre renovation. Craig then joined Task Construction Management, a boutique CM firm managing projects such as the Vernon Library and South Surrey Rec Center. In 2012 Craig joined Bird Construction where he was part of the team that delivered the new UBC Student Union Building, Kelowna RCMP and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre @ UBC Vancouver.
Craig holds a degree in Construction Management and Diploma of Technology as a graduate of the Architectural Building Engineering Technologies program, both at BCIT.
Walter Strachan RSW, PQS (F), CSC (F) (retired)
Walter has extensive experience earned through over 40 years in the consulting engineering industry with CBCL Limited. During his career he has served as department manager, project manager, corporate quality manager (ISO 9001), corporate risk manager, principal, director, and Chair of the Board at a major Atlantic Canada based engineering and environmental services company. Upon retirement from CBCL Limited, Walter opened Act 3 Advisory Services, to continue a life-long obsession with all things related to project delivery in the design and construction industry.
Walter’s design and construction interest center around standard practices, project delivery methods, cost planning and control, risk management, and dispute resolution. Those interests resulted in tenures as Chair, Canadian Design Build Institute (CDBI); President, Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS); Chair, Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC); and Board Member, Canadian Construction Association (CCA). He has also served on several significant Task Teams including MasterFormat; CSC/CSI Uniform Drawing Systems; and the Integrated Delivery (IPD) Task Team.
Walter is the 2021 recipient of the Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers (CENS) Distinguished Service Award.
Elisa Brandts, Architect AIBC, Architect 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.
* denotes projects completed with other firms
Rick Boates, AScT., GSC, LEEDAP, Lean Green Belt, Unitech Construction Management Ltd., President
Rick’s career in the construction industry spans 49 years including 14 years in design consulting, 2 years as a Building Inspector and 33 years as founder and President of one of BC’s leading Construction Management firms. Rick served on the Board of ICBA, the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association for 8 years. Rick also served on the Board of Merit Canada for 8 years and is now dedicating his board efforts to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation.
Rick has guided Unitech through the successful completion of nearly $1.5 billion worth of commercial, institutional, recreational, hospitality, First Nations, Health and even civil and industrial projects throughout BC. All of these projects have been implemented via Construction Manager as Agent via old CCA 5 or CCDC 5A contracts on behalf of many repeat public and private clients. He is continuing his passion for collaborative construction with $400 million in CM contracts in progress and is leveraging Unitech's collaborative approach on promotion of IPD and Lean Construction on current and upcoming projects.
Brad Stevenson, CPA, CGA, B.Tech, PMP, Unitech Construction Management Ltd., Chief Operating Officer
Brad Stevenson is Unitech Construction Management’s Chief Operating Officer. He has been with Unitech for 15 years in a number of different roles including operations, finance, human resources, safety, business development and information technology. Brad has the overall responsibility for integrating all Unitech Construction Management’s divisions into one cohesive unit. He has been responsible for integrating Unitech’s systems, processes and procedures, with a focus on team collaboration, into how Unitech does business day to day. He monitors and assists all personnel to ensure everyone in the company is living our core values of being client goal driven, collaborative, concise, firm, fair and fun through our collaborative construction proven process.
Jim Clement, GSC, Graham Construction, Operations Manager
A seasoned construction professional with over 40 years of experience — the vast majority of which has been spent in the Calgary marketplace — Jim has the ability to think outside the box and finds creative solutions to complex design issues. Jim recognizes and understands the importance of proper cost and schedule control, as well as the interaction required between the owners, consultants, and construction management personnel.
Jim has been the President of both the Calgary Construction Association and the General Contractors Association, has been awarded Person of the Year by the Calgary Construction Association for his industry contributions, and has presented on design collaboration and ensuring optimum value and services for project owners. Jim adds value to his projects through his effective management of project constructability, and an understanding of the full project delivery. As a natural leader, he provides clients with the optimum balance between cost, schedule, quality, performance and project lifecycle.
Jim has worked on a wide array of construction projects including: commercial office buildings, residential towers, retail developments, parks and civil work, industrial facilities, and a variety of other project styles and types.
