b'BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS31,000 man-hours with no MinistrySmiths leadership and expertise have PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTof Labour Stop Work Orders and noalso made impact in the community. In AWARDSMALLLost Time Injuries, despite performingaddition to serving as co-chair of the Unity GILLAM GROUP INC. | YORK REGIONALcomplex, high-risk operations on waterfor Autism Golf Event and as a member POLICE MARINE UNITand ice while working beside a residentialof the Business Council of Canada Board neighbourhood. This was a complexof Directors, Smith has been a curriculum project that presented several uniqueadvisor to Ryerson University, a member challenges that required extensiveof the Board of Halton Health Services, planning and a collaborative effort amongand past chair of both the Technology our project partners to execute accordingin the City Campaign for George Brown to plan, says Leonetti. The uniqueCollege and the Ontario Liberal Fund. requirements of the project also made itAdditionally, he is a founding member and an enjoyable learning experience for thechair of the Ontario Global 100 (OG100) Gillam team. Board, an initiative that enables Canadas Gillam Group Inc. earned its TCA Awardfastest growing companies to become nod for the construction of the Yorkexporters to the world. Regional Police Marine Unit (YRP). TheDONALD P. GIFFIN SR. 8,900-square-foot facility was built toCONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYThe Donald P. Giffin Sr. Construction house the regions nine-member marineACHIEVEMENT AWARD Industry Achievement Award is among team and support their community andGEOFF SMITH | ELLISDON the many honours Smith has earned for lake operations.both himself and the firm. In 2011, he received the Ontario General Contractors The building was designed to achieveAssociations Jock Tindale Memorial Disaster Proof designation and facilitateAward, and in 2013 he was named EYs 24-hour operations. It features anCanadian Entrepreneur of the Year.office and maintenance building and a boathouse built over the water and supported by multiple slips for watercraftsCHANCELLORS AWARDand fixed and floating docks. Outside, theOF EXCELLENCE blue-clad building showcases IndigenousTOM STEPHENSON artwork created by Lauri Hoeg, a local community leader and member of the Chippewas of Georgina IslandFirst Nation.Developing the new YRP facility was no simple task. Gillam relied on BuildingGeoff Smith is a natural fit for the Donald Information Modelling (BIM) to meetP. Giffin Sr. Construction Industry its complex design requirements andAchievement Award, which showcases constructed floating barges to useindividuals who have shown considerable as safe working platforms during theleadership and commitment to the boathouses construction. Sophisticatedconstruction industry. As president and techniques were also employed to buildCEO of EllisDon for over 25 years, Smith the boathouse over helical piles drilledhas helped transform the company intoThe Chancellors Award of Excellence under the waters surface, while Gillamsan industry leader. I am in formidablehonours individuals who have focused on team worked closely with the Ministrycompany with past winnersincludinghelping their peers become ethical, of Natural Resource and Lake Simcoemy dadand truly grateful to beknowledgeable industry professionals. Regional Conservation Authority (LSRCA)recognized by some terrific people in ourThis year, TCA handed that honour to Tom to protect marine life.industry, says Smith.Stephenson, a long-time professor with George Brown College who has designed Working over the winter months was alsoSmith began his career at EllisDon inand delivered numerous training, a challenge. To complete the work safely,1983 after earning his law degree fromeducation and professional development Jack Leonetti, director of marketing andthe University of Toronto and beingprograms through the Construction strategic initiatives with Gillam, says theadmitted to the Ontario Bar in 1981. UponInstitute of Canada (TCIC). team implemented a plan to build upbecoming president and CEO of EllisDon the ice thickness by flooding on top ofin 1996, he helped re-envision the firmStephenson is a familiar face with the the frozen lake. They also developed aas a cradle to grave service providerTCIC. In addition to developing and Safe Ice Work Procedure. We conductedwith expertise across its Capital Services,delivering various courses through mock winter water rescue training toFacilities Management and Sustainablehis training business, he has helped subcontractors and Gillam personnelBuilding divisions. Today, Smith overseestransform critical programs into online to be prepared in the event that the icea team of 5,000 workers in officescourses throughout the 2020 pandemic. platform was breached, says Leonetti. around the globe that continue to build onThat includes Microsoft Project training, EllisDons offerings and pioneer initiativessafety courses, tailor-made educational Safety was a focus for the YRP team,in energy management, smart buildingssessions and TCAs popular Lean and in the end, Gillam clocked oversoftware and data analytics. Construction courses. Moving to an 16Quarter 1 2021 BUILDERSDIGEST'