Board & Team

General Manager
Black & McDonald Limited

Kyle Wisniewski brings 18+ years of experience as a mechanical contractor to his role as General Manager at Black & McDonald Limited.

President
Phase Mechanical Systems Ltd.

Trevor Hildebrand has more than 40 years of experience in the mechanical contracting industry, where he trained and practiced as a plumber and project manager before starting Phase Mechanical Systems in 1993.

Guiding how Trevor runs and operates Phase Mechanical is his mantra of ‘ethics, honour, respect’. “This business is based on relationships, and the only way to succeed in the long-term is to earn trust and build a reputation for being a quality person who does quality work,” he says. “It’s very rewarding to be able to point to a building and say, that’s 45-storeys of my working relationship with a customer, and together we’ve made a mark on this community.”

Trevor brought his focus on relationship building to his role as MCABC’s Chair of the Board of Directors, in 2020 when he was named Chair. He says, “I’m a firm believer in the importance of giving back. And the best way I can do that for our industry is to lend my skillset and my experience to help form and shape the industry, so that more people can be successful in it”.

Trevor is a passionate advocate for mechanical contractors in British Columbia. In his role on the Board, Trevor is a champion of change to propel the industry forward. “As an MCABC member, you know that you belong to an organization that is looking out for your best interests,” he says. To do so, Trevor has worked steadily to gain MCABC a seat at the table where decisions about the industry are being made. “We’ve established MCABC as a leader and an authority, which allows us to influence and inform policy development on best practices. We seek out these opportunities, but we also have decision makers that are proactively consulting with us, asking us to sit on boards and committees, seeking our opinions and perspectives. This is what our organization’s transformation looks like, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Owner
Concept Mechanical Group

Brittany and her husband, Jason, started Concept Mechanical Group in 2003. Over the last twenty years they have grown it into multi-family, commercial, and service divisions.

She describes the business as a good marriage; her husband brought the mechanical knowledge and she brought her business background.

For Brittany, it’s important to empower younger generations, and that her employees have work-life balance. As a leader, she welcomes feedback and ensures her team know they will be heard. “We can see differences of opinions and we respect them,” says Brittany. This people-first approach is what makes ethics so central to Brittany’s approach to business. “We stay focused on trying to be good humans in the industry, that’s huge for us. We want to leave a legacy there that we had a positive impact in this industry.”

The quality of their workmanship and the skills of their employees are also a part of the legacy Brittany and Jason want to leave behind. “We try to stay focused on what matters to us,” she says. “For me, it’s sharing knowledge and best practices within the industry.”

Sharing best practices isn’t always easy in an ever-changing industry like mechanical contracting, but Brittany is more than up for the challenge. “What I find interesting about the industry is that just when you think you’re dialed in and organized, something new comes in. There’s always new technology and procedures.”

These rapid shifts are why MCABC’s Innovation Pillar resonates with Brittany. “Innovation interests me because that’s where we’re going. The world is changing and our industry is changing daily. I like to hear and see new innovative ways and MCABC can be a hub and resource for those changes.”

Growing MCABC and bringing in new members is important to Brittany, as is ensuring all areas of the industry have a voice. She sees great value in coming together as a unified force under MCABC. “As an organization, we have way more clout and way more ability to actualize change. The greater our numbers and the more of a squeaky wheel we become, the more change we can see in our industry. We are better together.”

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.

Blaire started in the mechanical contracting industry at a young age, joining the family business full time in 1984. A second-generation mechanical contractor, Blaire trained as a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic and eventually earned his Electrical and Gas tickets. He has led numerous projects as the General Manager at Fraser Valley Refrigeration for 20 years.

Ensuring that the current regulatory framework adapts to the ever-changing industry is paramount for Blaire. He believes that the Association can make an impact on the direction of the industry and bridge the gap between the industry and regulators, influencing regulations related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and development of codes and regulations for new refrigerants.

Blaire is an advocate for the trades’ “green” potential and wants to continue advocacy work with the government and help guide regulatory systems to adopt the direction of the industry. For Blaire, it is key to direct regulatory efforts towards maintaining the province’s competitiveness in sustainability and innovation.

About Blaire

Blaire lives in Abbotsford, BC. In his spare time, he likes to ride motorcycles, have fun with classic hot rods, and spend time with his grandchildren.

President
Porcupine Mechanical

Simon is passionate about the industry. He knows how important a role the mechanical trades play, not only in providing people a safe and comfortable place to live, work, and congregate but also to do it all in a sustainable way.  Simon believes that this next generation of mechanical trades people are going to absolutely revolutionize our built environment.

What led Simon to engage with the MCABC at the director level is a deep understanding that when we work together mechanical contractors can effect real positive change that will benefit us all.

Entering the trades was the right choice, and Simon has found more opportunity than he ever imagined, noting that the industry is far more complex than most people realize. “I had a teacher back in high school,” Simon reflects. “And I remember he gave me a piece of advice one day. He said it’s sometimes better to be a big fish in a small pool than a small fish in a big pool. And I felt like with my skill set and abilities, I would have the ability to really excel within the trade. Because I’ve been able to come at it with a different mindset and a different perspective than many people in the trade, I’ve been able to stand out and get a lot of opportunities.”

Simon approaches leadership with the belief that everybody is worth consulting and should have a voice. “Everybody has their own ideas of how to accomplish things. I think it’s important that as a more senior leader that I define the scope and enable people to work within the scope. And then I do give them license within that scope to run their area as needed.”

Simon thinks strategically, and he believes that continued growth of MCABC’s membership will help drive public interest in mechanical contracting. “Promoting the skilled trades through MCABC will help the membership with their recruiting efforts and create a funnel of people that will apply for the jobs in the industry.”

President & General Manager
Kal-West Mechanical Systems Inc.

Keith has worked in the mechanical contracting industry since 2007, focusing on residential, commercial, industrial, and civil construction projects. In 2018, Keith became a partner at employee-owned Kal-West Mechanical Systems Inc. in Kelowna. Today, Keith is the President & General Manager.

Unlike many of his colleagues, Keith didn’t come up through the trades. After high school, Keith earned a diploma in business from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology before entering the workforce in construction sales. Keith would later also sit on the board of the Grande Prairie Home Builder’s Association. He first became involved in the Mechanical industry when he joined Victaulic in 2012.

The employee-owned Kal-West model suits Keith well – he believes in putting a lot of faith and trust in his employees. “If the work is getting done, then we’re good,” says Keith, noting that he doesn’t get bogged down by minor issues as he wants the business to be guided by the employees. “Pretty much everything that we do continues to build on a nurturing and welcoming environment for our employees”

Keith leads by example, which is evident in his willingness to help his team. “We do not believe in a “it’s not my job” attitude. If somebody’s down and needs a hand, then someone has to step in and give them a hand. I feel you’ve got to do that from the top down. If I’m not willing to jump in and help, how can I ask somebody else to?”

The fast-paced and complex nature of the industry is one of the many reasons Keith enjoys his work. “There is lots going on. It keeps you engaged, keeps you on your toes. You’re managing your people, you’re managing sub trades, sometimes you’re helping an engineer, owner or construction manager as well.”

Keith feels that MCABC can help engage youth and new potential tradespeople, and that one of the ways is through expanded education. “The trades training and education are critical. Whether it’s estimating, blueprint reading, project management, etc., continuing education in the mechanical contracting industry is what I’d like to bring out to the Okanagan.”

Kelly is a Partner at MNP LLP and oversees three offices in the Lower Mainland. With more than 20 years of public practice experience as a trusted advisor, Kelly has been delivering financial statement audit, accounting, tax and business advisory services to owner-managed businesses, including real estate and construction, technology, forestry, and manufacturing.

Kelly has a breadth of knowledge of the construction industry and works to bring solutions to the construction niche from an accounting and tax perspective. Kelly is a past board member of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and served a three-year term from 2018-2021. Kelly has also participated in advocacy work as a member of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). He works to help advocate for and support the mechanical contracting industry and sponsors various events. With the knowledge of ongoing issues in construction such as labour shortages and construction costs, Kelly is focused on bringing more awareness to the industry and educating the public on the work of mechanical contractors.

About Kelly

Kelly earned a Bachelor of Technology in accounting from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). He is a Certified General Accountant (CGA), qualifying in 2006 and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2009.

President, Owner
Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Ltd.

A true family business, Steve Robinson started Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems with his brothers in 1979. For the past several decades, he has sought to deliver value for clients and build innovative projects that shape communities across British Columbia.

Steve points to his company’s people as its most important asset. “Forty years ago, I had no idea we’d end up with a large, successful company. But, when you combine the right people with hard work, success is a natural outcome,” says Steve.

This is one of the reasons why Steve is so invested in training the next generation, and why Pitt Meadows Plumbing has a clear commitment to recruit underrepresented groups to the industry. “Having the best people will help ensure our family business supports future generations of our community for years to come.”

Steve also credits his belief in hard work and dedication to get the job done right—a commitment shared across his team. The company motto is ‘We say, we mean, we do’. “It is this approach that has led to the continued long-term success of our clients and partners,” he says.

With an eye towards the company’s longevity, Steve focuses on strategizing what the future holds for Pitt Meadows Plumbing. He is passionate about new ideas and keeping on the cutting edge of an ever-changing industry.

And while looking at the big picture, Steve knows just how vital a keen eye for detail is to his business’s success. “We are extreme planners,” he says. In the last seven years, this has meant focusing on in-house manufacturing of as many parts as possible involved in a given project, saving time, money and resources in the long run.”

Steve’s passion for innovation lends itself to finding solutions to address the challenges facing the mechanical contracting industry and optimizing the opportunities. His forward-thinking is an asset to the MCABC Board of Directors, its members and the industry at large.

Partner
National Hydronics Ltd.

A partner in National Hydronics, Mike Vesterback’s primary roles are project manager and estimator. He started with National in 1990, and by 2003 had become an owner together with his business partners.

Mike is passionate about mentoring and educating the industry. “I had an extraordinary mentor in National Hydronics’ founder, Helmut Musil. I credit a lot of my success to his role in guiding me, and I want to pay that generosity forward to others,” Mike says.

Areas of education Mike is particularly focused on include teaching those in the industry how to understand contract terms and the contract review process. “Contracts can be very complex, and you have to be incredibly diligent. You can be very talented at what you do, but if you aren’t protecting yourself, it’s difficult to be successful.”

Mike is also passionate about sharing the lessons he’s learned throughout his career. He says this includes understanding that everyone on a team shares an equal role in the success of a project, and being open to learning from others. “I’m always impressed with the skills and knowledge of the people on my teams. I work to create a workplace culture of idea sharing to drive teamwork and innovation. Giving people the agency to contribute brings the best solutions forward, which contributes to our projects’ overall success,” he says.

And this investment in education extends to those outside the industry in terms of the types of opportunities that the skilled trades can provide job seekers. “The mechanical contracting industry has really evolved. It’s a sophisticated industry with so much opportunity. We’re working to raise awareness of the range of really good, well-paying jobs and the upwards mobility that this industry has to offer.”

Mike sits on the MCABC Board of Directors as an appointed member representing the Mechanical Industrial Relations Association (MIRA). “I see my role on the Board as a unifier and bridge builder between the union contractors I represent, and non-union. It’s my mission to get more union contractors as members, and get more participation from those that already are members. Together, we can be a strong voice for our industry.”

Sullivan Mechanical

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.

Kim, who was named CEO in 2019, works closely with MCABC’s Board of Directors to define member value and set the strategic direction of the organization on behalf of the mechanical contracting industry. Her focus, passion, energy and curiosity drive action and influence change. Kim is a proponent of collective representation and a driver of professional excellence. In collaboration with MCABC staff, Kim is responsible for ensuring she delivers on the Association’s annual plan. Kim’s leadership experience spans the not-for-profit, consulting, and corporate sectors. Kim is a journalism graduate and an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC).

Cathleen has a background in customer services and works closely with the Board of Directors and Association staff to increase MCABC membership. Cathleen has strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills which are well suited for her role dedicated to member engagement. Cathleen’s background includes several years in the insurance industry, including as a Sales Manager for Sun Life Financial and event execution for career fairs for private, public and crown corporations. Cathleen loves growing partnerships and executing events that are creative, innovate and engage members

Sarah has a background in government relations and leads strategic communications and marketing for MCABC. Sarah has over eight years of experience working for government, non-profit organizations, and companies to deliver communications, government, public and media relations strategies. Sarah has developed strategic integrated communications plans for company stories, including brand storytelling and narratives. Sarah has a degree in Political Science and a Graduate Degree Fine Arts, Opera Studies.