Vanguard Magazine

32 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com G A M E C H A N G E R See the full interview online Q How did you start out in this industry and how has it brought you to where you are today? I grew up in the United Kingdom sur- rounded by family members who worked in the construction industry, so it was only natural that I became fascinated by building sites from a young age. That ear- ly interest led me to study Construction Management at Sheffield Hallam Uni- versity, where I completed a co-op place- ment with Miller Construction, the largest privately owned construction firm in the U.K.at the time. After graduating, I returned to Miller Construction as a Field Engineer. From there, I worked my way up to Superin- tendent and eventually Project Manager. Over the course of 12 years, I had the privilege of contributing to some incred- ible projects, each one strengthening my knowledge, skills, and appreciation for the industry. Those experiences shaped not only my career but also confirmed where my true passion lies—building meaningful projects that leave a lasting impact. Q What is your role at your organization today? In 2014 I emigrated to Canada and joined EllisDon Corporation as a Proj- ect Manager. Today I am currently the Senior Vice President, Area Manager of our Edmonton division. Q What was your most challenging moment? One of the most challenging transitions in my career was moving from the Unit- ed Kingdom to Canada. Almost every- thing felt different—the climate alone was an adjustment, as nothing can truly prepare you for -30°C weather. Beyond that, I had to adapt to the way the con- struction industry operates in Canada. While the fundamentals of building remain the same, the processes, proce- dures, and even the materials used were different. Despite bringing 12 years of experience from the U.K., it often felt as though I was starting over. That period tested my adaptability and resilience, but it also broadened my perspective and ultimately made me grow my career to new heights. Q What was your A-HA moment or epiphany that you think will resonate most with our reader, tell us that story. When I made the decision to build a life in Canada, I began reaching out to sev- eral construction companies to explore opportunities. My first meeting was with a contractor in Calgary. At the end of our conversation, they asked where I was heading next. When I mentioned I was meeting with EllisDon in Edmonton, their advice was simple: don't bother meeting anyone else and besides, no- body really wants to live in Edmonton. Despite that, I travelled to Edmonton the next day and met with the EllisDon team. At the end of our meeting, they asked me the same question: who else was I speaking with? When I told them, their response couldn't have been more different. They spoke highly of the other companies and even acknowledged that many people prefer Calgary, offering to make room for me there if that was truly where I wanted to be. That humility and openness spoke volumes. It filled in all the blanks for me and made it clear that EllisDon, spe- cifically the Edmonton team, was where I wanted to belong. Moving continents is a life-changing decision, but the authentic- ity and values I saw in that moment made the choice remarkably easier. Q How has innovation become engrained in your organization's culture and how is it being optimized? Innovation is deeply woven into EllisDon's culture through its foundational values of entrepreneurial enthusiasm and mu- tual accountability, which empower every employee to challenge convention, seize new opportunities, and take ownership of bold ideas. This spirit is actively optimized through initiatives like the ConTech Ac- celerator Program, which partners with cutting-edge startups to pilot transforma- tive technologies directly with EllisDon. The company's fast, fluid, and flexible ap- proach, combined with transparent collab- oration and shared responsibility, creates an environment where innovation thrives and continuously evolves to meet the ever- changing demands of construction. Q What is your parting piece of advice? Remain humble, work hard, and always support the people around you. Q What is the one thing that has you most fired up today? When I think about the state of the world, I can't help but reflect on how much en- ergy is drawn into global conflicts and tensions. The ongoing struggles in East- ern Europe, the challenges in the Middle East, and even the economic pressures we face from our closest neighbour all serve as reminders of how fragile our connec- tions can be. I often wonder how dif- ferent things might look if the time and resources spent on these struggles were instead directed toward creating good in the world, rather than adding to the hard- ship so many already endure. CHRIS LANE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND AREA MANAGER ELLISDON CORPORATION

• Cover