ROLE

President & CEO, Red Deer

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING PART OF THE SCOTT BUILDERS TEAM?

I love the people we have and the people that we attract to join us. We do business a certain way and that attracts people with high integrity, strong safety and quality values, and a big commitment to our communities. By leaning into our values I’ve found each member of our team comes to the table aligned and ready to work together collaboratively.

WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY & WHAT MADE YOU STAY?

While in university I worked at a local Edmonton construction company over the summer and really enjoyed the work. Once I graduated my fiancé (now wife) was offered a teaching job in the Red Deer area. I printed off copies of my resume and hit the pavement, going door to door at local construction and engineering companies in Red Deer. I walked into Scott Builders and asked at reception if I could drop off a resume. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was speaking with one of the four owners of the company, Phyllis Ward.

I had no idea who I was talking to, but must have made enough of an impression as she sat me in a conference room and set me up with an interview with Scot Rutherford. After a follow-up interview with one of the other owners, Ralph Ward, I had a start as a project manager. In 2004 Scot and I became part owners of the business. Good thing I was on my best behavior that day when I walked in and talked to Phyllis.

I’ve stayed in construction because I love the opportunity to help companies with exciting problems – their growth. The clients we meet are driving growth in their businesses, they are usually leading with new technology or new strategic initiatives. It is exciting to learn from our clients about how they operate their business, their plans for growth, and how they are successful.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT HARD AT WORK, WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?

When not at work I am usually either playing, coaching, volunteering, or spending time with friends and family. My wife and I love to watch sports, coach, golf, and travel. I volunteer in the community and across the province to give back.

SOMEONE YOU ADMIRE? (OR YOUR HERO)

I have had great mentors at work over the years and connect with many other business leaders through my associations and meetings. My family and extended family and my parents are a great source of pride and admiration. I learn from listening, reading, and watching business, political and other leaders as they share their stories of success and failures. There is always wisdom you can gain from listening and putting yourself in other’s shoes. I firmly believe you don’t get to where you are without help along the way, I have been very fortunate to have great influencers to help me become the man I am today.

WORDS YOU LIVE BY: (FAVOURITE QUOTE OR LIFE PHILOSOPHY)

It’s all the simple things that are difficult to do – most are cliches and none of them are mine. Trust and check, do unto others, be on time, walk the talk, what’s in the way is the way, live your values, start with the end in mind, clean as you go, get back to everyone, etc… It is the difficult to do, yet simple things that make you great.