NextGen Board

Senior Project Manager
Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc.

Scott is a Senior Project Manager at Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc. where he has worked since 2016. A graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at BCIT in 2008, Scott began his career as a Construction Estimator and transitioned to a Project Coordinator before moving into project management.

Scott has been instrumental in evolving NextGen since joining during its formative years. As a NextGen Board member, Scott’s vision is to see more young people involved in the industry. One of his key goals is to raise awareness of the vast opportunities in the mechanical trades so the younger generation is inspired to join.

“There are lots of opportunities in mechanical contracting [such as] estimating, designing, engineering, legal, and accounting.” Scott advises tradespersons wanting to transition in the office to build and develop their technical skillset. “There’s also the technical aspects outside of the field. Accounting practices, financial forecasting – that’s something that is a learned skill on the job for people who want to transition into the office.”

For Scott, success in mechanical contracting is achieved through more than technical skills — it’s about cultivating and nurturing relationships.

“Learn to build relationships. It’s a small industry, and it’s important to understand the people you work with, not just within your organization, but clients, contractors, suppliers, and partners”.

In his spare time, Scott enjoys working on DIY backyard projects and recently took up golf.

Construction Supervisor
Lisi Mechanical

Scott started his career in the mechanical contracting industry as a plumbing apprentice in 2006. A year later, he joined Lisi Mechanical and became a foreperson in 2009. With extensive experience in large-scale projects focused on mechanical and hydronic systems, he transitioned to his current role as a Construction Supervisor in 2017.

Scott joined the NextGen Board to lead and advocate for industry-wide challenges, especially challenges related to high-rise construction. “I’ve been seeing the same obstacles on all of our job sites for years.” As a Board Director, Scott will bring awareness to the challenges facing the mechanical contracting industry and advocate for broader changes that move the industry forward.

For the younger generation wanting to enter the industry, Scott emphasizes the importance of attitude and effort: “What you’ll get out of [any] trade is what you put in. Extra effort and a good attitude can get you ahead on the field.”

For Scott, showing dedication and a willingness to learn are key to unlocking opportunities for career growth and success in the trades.

Scott has a young family and enjoys skiing and mountain biking. Growing up, he played soccer and baseball. He credits his history in playing team sports as key for collaboration on the field.

Head of Operations
Vaughan Ventures Ltd.

Line Sales Representative
Victaulic

Tayler is a Line Sales Representative at Victaulic Canada. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Tayler’s career journey has taken him from the Prairies to the West Coast over the last three years. His career in sales started in 2010, specializing in sales in piping and steel manufacturing in the last 10 years. He joined Victaulic in 2019.

Through engaging in social and industry events, he recognized the opportunity to take the next step and advance his involvement in the industry. This led him to becoming an active member of the NextGen Board.

From a supplier lens, one challenge Taylor identified is navigating the industry’s resistance to adopting new technologies and methods, specifically through the multi-generational lens. For the younger generation, Tayler sees the potential of integrating new ideas. “They have a fresh perspective on how we can improve our processes.”

Tayler emphasizes the need for ongoing education, mentorship, and career development for the younger generation. He believes industry has a responsibility to help the next generation develop and progress in their careers, noting that this will contribute to increased retention of existing talent. He advocates for an integrated approach to training and incorporating new methodologies in the curriculum.

In his downtime, Tayler enjoys sports and golfing.

Service Manager
Davidson Bros. Mechanical

Maddie has been immersed in the mechanical contracting industry from a young age, having grown up with family in the business. After university, Maddie started in the family business as a Project Coordinator and assumed several roles in the office, spanning from operations to management, for over 16 years. She now leads the service division as a Service Manager at Davidson Bros.

As an MCABC Board Director and Past Chair of the NextGen Board, Maddie links the present with the future. She is a strong advocate for elevating awareness of the trades amongst the younger generation. While each of the 10 mechanical trades may experience different challenges, she acknowledges industry as a whole faces shared obstacles, such as labour shortages.

Maddie’s goals are to continue to take part in MCABC initiatives to bring awareness to multiple career pathways and avenues in the trades, raise the profile of the labour shortage challenge in the industry, and to help in the creation of a student chapter in British Columbia.

Maddie is a mother to two sons, both of whom are involved in many sports and outdoor activities. She and her family are avid travelers and love to explore new places and experience new cultures together.

BIM Manager
Division 15 Mechanical Ltd.

Le Hien is the BIM Manager at Division 15 Mechanical Ltd. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Victoria and after graduation, she landed a role as a BIM coordinator at Division 15.

She brings to her role mathematical and analytical expertise, problem-solving skills, experience in drafting, and an eye for design. Le Hien played a pivotal role in establishing and leading the development of the BIM department at Division15 and now leads a team of seven designers.

Le Hien is an advocate for increased collaboration within the industry, especially when it comes to technological advancements. “BIM was new to the industry. There was a lot of learning for sure. As the industry caught up, my role developed along with it.”

She encourages more women to join the mechanical contracting industry. “It’s important to share our knowledge and to get more women excited to join the trades.”

Her goals are to bring awareness amongst youth of the various opportunities available in the trades and to advocate for more women to join the trades

Le Hien is a mom to two children. She enjoys spending time outdoors and camping with her family.

Principal and Co-Owner
Synergy Mechanical Inc.

Derek is a Principal and Co-Owner of Synergy Mechanical Inc. Derek began his career in mechanical contracting 20 years ago. He became a plumbing apprentice in 2004 and earned his ticket in 2008. He is a Red Seal Journeyperson plumber and licensed gasfitter.

Wanting to further his career, he started his degree in 2006 in construction management at BCIT while working full-time. Since 2009, Derek has been working as a Project Manager. From 2009-2011, he obtained his Associate Certificates in Construction Supervision and Professional Gold Seal Certificates in Project Management (Mechanical Contracting) and Superintendent (Mechanical Contracting). Recognizing his skills as an avid problem-solver and builder, Derek paired it with his entrepreneurial spirit and became a co-owner of Synergy Mechanical Inc. in 2018.

Derek welcomed the opportunity to join NextGen and make a meaningful impact. He brings a multi-faceted perspective to the Board, having worked both on-site and in office management. Derek highlights the opportunities for tradespeople to advance within field supervisor and management roles, such as foreman and superintendent positions, and much more.

Acknowledging the challenge of the labour shortage within the industry, Derek advocates for bringing awareness to the younger generation about the various pathways to the trades and the numerous opportunities for growth, both in the office and in the field.

His advice for the younger generation wanting to enter the industry: Just try. “Give it a shot and get your feet wet. Step on a job site, don’t give up and find that support.”

Derek, a father of three, enjoys participating in sports in his spare time.

Assistant General Manager
Sullivan Mechanical Ltd.

An Assistant General Manager at Sullivan Mechanical Ltd., Shelby has 12 years of experience spanning multiple sectors. Shelby graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Energy Management and brings a blend of her trades background, analytic mindset, and management experience to the family business at Sullivan Mechanical.

Navigating the environment and labour landscape in the Northern region brings its own challenges. Striving to highlight and represent the industry in the Northern region, Shelby advocates for improving training and education accessibility in all regions of the province, drawing from her own experience of travelling from Prince Rupert to Burnaby to attend BCIT.

Her vision includes fostering an inclusive environment that provides support for the next generation of tradespeople. “The reason why I’m interested in joining [NextGen] is representation. I’d like to see [resources and training] readily available and more accessible for people at a distance.”

Shelby’s advice for anyone wanting to enter the trades is to explore the opportunities that the industry has to offer. “Everybody’s different in how they learn. With the trades and mechanical industry having so many avenues to explore don’t count yourself out and give one a try.”

Shelby’s goals as a board member are to lobby for accessible resources, training, and educational opportunities in the Northern region, as well as to expand the presence of the mechanical trades in the Northern region

In her spare time, Shelby enjoys the outdoors. She loves to hike in the summer and spend her winters skiing.

Owner
Meridian West Mechanical Ltd.

Nathan is the Owner of Meridian West Mechanical Ltd. With family members in plumbing, he decided to pivot into the trades and started as a plumbing apprentice. Over the first decade of his career, he specialized in complex projects. Wanting to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions, he started Meridian West Mechanical in 2012.

Recognizing the intergenerational differences and gap in skilled talent within the industry, Nathan advocates for increased efforts in schools and job fairs to promote careers in the trades. Additionally, Nathan sees untapped opportunities for younger professionals wanting to advance and grow in their careers. “There are good opportunities for younger people to put their nose into the field, learn about it, and move up.”

Nathan’s advice for the younger generation wanting to enter the trades is to approach their careers with a learning mindset and continuously elevate through certifications and educational resources: “My advice would be to come in with a learning attitude. Show initiative and try new things.”

Nathan’s goals are to increase awareness of pathways in the trades in British Columbia and to improve efforts in schools to highlight trade career opportunities.

Nathan is a father to three children. In his spare time, he’s involved with his children’s sporting activities. As an owner, Nathan prioritizes his employees’ wellbeing by ensuring access to mental health resources and fostering a work environment focused on work-life balance.

Project Manager
Modern Niagara

James is a Project Manager at Modern Niagara. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, he graduated from Queens University in Mechanical Engineering in 2015. He started his career in the mechanical contracting industry as a junior project manager, working on multiple projects, ranging from smaller scale to larger, complex ones.

While actively participating in networking and social opportunities in Ontario, he recognized the value of connecting with industry peers at networking events. James was enthusiastic about getting involved with MCABC and the NextGen Board: “NextGen is a way to get plugged in with the younger people in the industry.”

As a Board member, James is an advocate for bringing awareness of the trades to the younger generation and getting in front of high schools and colleges. For James, NextGen is also about connecting with fellow like-minded professionals, leveraging the opportunity to skill-share with others and sharing ideas and strategies for optimizing work processes in the industry.

For mechanical contractors wanting to explore management opportunities in the trades, James highlights several essential skills for building a successful career. “You have to be willing and able to take something and work towards the finish line. Be accountable, be able to communicate with the field, be a leader, demonstrate by example what you expect of others, be consistent, diligent, organized, and committed.”

James’ advice for younger people entering the trades: “Go for it. Do it. It’s rewarding work.”

In his spare time, James enjoys all things outdoors — biking, skiing, and travelling.

Projects Director
Davidson Bros. Mechanical Contractors Ltd.

Marcello is the Projects Director at Davidson Bros. Mechanical Ltd. Marcello’s introduction to the trades began in high school through the ACE-IT Program where he started his apprenticeship in plumbing. He completed his Red Seal and worked as a journeyperson and foreperson for several years until he obtained his certificate in Project Management at UBC Sauder. He started as a Project Coordinator and advanced to Project Manager before assuming his current role.

With a passion for sharing knowledge, Marcello has spoken at schools about his experience, highlighting the value and opportunities within the trades. His desire for continuous growth and commitment to learning led him to also obtaining his real estate license in 2021.

Marcello is an advocate for bringing awareness to the various career paths available in the mechanical trades. “There’s a few different avenues and options you can choose once you get your Red Seal.” He advises those wanting to enter the trades to be dedicated and to come with a learning mindset.

Marcello’s goals are to expand opportunities for younger professionals in the industry to network and connect, as well as to raise awareness amongst youth of the opportunities available in the mechanical contracting industry.

In his spare time, Marcello enjoys all sports, including playing soccer and tennis. He also likes spending time outdoors hiking and travelling.