Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ottawa Construction Association (OCA)’s board of directors has elected Danny Dillon, president and CEO of the DILFO Group of Companies, as its 2020 chair.
Dillon received the chair’s gavel at the association’s annual general meeting last Thursday, where members learned that the association’s financial position and membership level is healthy, reflecting a thriving local construction market in 2019.
Last year, there were more than $3 billion in building permits in Ottawa. “Local construction volume has risen by more than $1 billion since 2012 – a remarkable trend,” the association reported in its annual report.
“Of note, in this year’s month-by month permit reports; nine of 12 months of the year recorded permit values of more than $200 million, and two recorded values of more than $400 million. Needless to say, the work is coming from all over. It’s not just work on mega projects like light rail or parliament hill – both of which are significant contributors, of course. It’s also coming from work on apartment buildings, college facilities, government offices and retirement homes.”
The association reported a balanced budget with a surplus of $3,535 in 2019, compared to a loss of $129,957 in 2018. Most of the association’s net work in its new headquarters on Antares Dr., representing $6,030,558 in assets. Membership at 1,155 was similar to 2018, with four additional members joining during the year.
In a statement on taking on the chairmanship from previous chair Wayne Jennings of Doran Contractors, Dillon said: As chairman of the OCA, my aim is to support OCA’s growing focus on programs for member education.”
“I also believe strongly in the value of Lean principles in construction. I want to promote programs that will help members learn about Lean Principles and apply them in their business.”
This focus is compatible with the OCA’s increasing emphasis on education and training programs, with revenue increasing to $342,441 in 2019 from $20,445 in 2018. Conversely, Plans Room volumes declined somewhat in the past year, dropping 3.8 per cent to 2,944 projects listed in 2019 from 3,060 in 2018.
In addition to Dillon and Jennings, other OCA executive members for 2020 include: First vice-chair – Roy Shannon, vice-president, Bradley’s Insurance; second vice-chair – Tim Vizena, vice-president, city division, RW Tomlinson; honorary treasurer – Paul Mayer, secretary-treasurer, Sapacon Drywall; honorary secretary – Hubie Splinter, vice-president, Graebeck Construction; and OCA president and general manager John DeVries.
Directors-at-large include: Jason Adams vice-president, Doran Services; Greg Clarke, president, Valley Utilities; Ken Crawford, president, C&M Electric; Noel Finn, senior contracts manager, AECON Construction; Tony Johnson, plant manager, Lehigh Hanson; Daniel Leduc, partner, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP; Vincent Lamont, president, Jacques Lamont Lteé, Kevin Skinner, vice-president and district manager, PCL Constructors; Peter Tuck, vice-president, Black & McDonald; and Bruce Thomas, president RECL Construction.
