DISTINGUISHED VOLUNTEER AWARD SANDRA BURNELL | PRINCIPAL, REVAY AND ASSOCIATES LIMITED environmental committee is the result not only of the efforts of the TCA staff, but also of the other volunteers who sit on the committee, not to mention our Green Ambassadors, webinar presenters and webinar participants.” Chairing the environmental committee is something Burnell does with pride and the belief that industry volunteerism is a powerful channel for sharing knowledge, building networks, elevating standards and helping move the sector toward a stronger future. “It’s through these acts of service that we build a resilient industry, one where learning is shared, innovation is encouraged and everyone benefits from the strength of the whole.” Volunteer work has also been personally enriching, she adds: “As many volunteers will tell you, they receive far more than they give.” Burnell is proud to see the committee’s work spotlighted in this year’s awards. She thanks the TCA for “welcoming me into their community” and extends her sincere appreciation to Revay and Associates Limited for its commitment to giving back and empowering employees to do the same. “It’s what makes opportunities like this possible,” she says. TCA TRADE CONTRACTOR AWARD ONTARIO CUTTING & CORING LIMITED zero disruption to surrounding activity. These strategies, among others, ensured the work left no environmental impact. Safety was equally paramount. OCC completed the project with zero incidents and zero safety infractions, supported by multilayered hazard controls, enhanced fall protection, traffic-adjacency protocols and daily safety briefings. In the end, OCC delivered the project on schedule and within budget, reinforcing its reputation as a leading specialty contractor for complex, high-risk concrete cutting work in Ontario. “We are honoured to receive this award, which reflects the collaboration, expertise and dedication that defined this project from start to finish,” says Chris Volpe, vice president with the firm. “This achievement would not have been possible without Ontario Cutting & Coring Limited (OCC)’s expertise over one of Ontario’s largest rivers earned the company a spot in TCA’s 2026 Awards. As a subtrade to Mudman Construction Services and EDCO Constructors, OCC carried out a complex bridge-cutting project over the Credit River adjacent to and over the QEW. The team navigated strict environmental protections above a live watercourse, constrained site access, active 400-series highway traffic and structural limitations surrounding heritage bridge piers. Precision, discipline and adaptability proved critical to the project’s success. OCC maintained full structural control within the restricted worksite by using a vibration-free wire saw and a deep slab saw cutting to safely and accurately remove reinforced concrete bridge sections. Engineered lift sequencing and detailed cut planning ensured uninterrupted highway operations and impact throughout the construction industry. Under her leadership, the environmental committee delivers numerous events and initiatives aimed at connecting the industry with environmental education, awareness, best practices, guidelines, policies and subject matter experts. This includes webinars that keep TCA members informed on emerging environmental issues and developments in the field, as well as the Green Ambassador program, which provides members with a platform to showcase their own environmental leadership. Speaking to the committee’s impact, she notes, “The success of the Toronto Construction Association’s the valued partnership of Mudman Construction Services and the team at EDCO Constructors. Most importantly, we recognize the outstanding efforts of our field team – Kyle Petrie, Dean O’Leary, Kevin Benedick and Mark Zapparoli – whose commitment and professionalism made this success possible.” TCA’s committees are only as strong as the people who serve on them. Thanks to Sandra Burnell’s leadership as chair of its environmental committee, the TCA continues to drive meaningful and sustainable 24 Quarter 1 2026 BUILDERSDIGEST THE BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS
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