want to help to shape policy and
provide feedback on that which our
clients or government are seeking
input on through consultation.”
Ledcor and ARHCA share similarities.
Both were established in
the 1940s, in Alberta, and both are
relative giants; while Ledcor has a
workforce of thousands, ARHCA is
the largest construction organization
in Canada, boasting a thousand
members of its own.
“Coming out of engineering, I tried some
different avenues, including the design
side of the business, but found that was
too far removed from actual construction
and the benefit that comes from that.”
– Quentin Huillery
“It’s the strength in numbers
and collective voice of the association
that brings many benefits,
especially when there’s issues at
stake and policy changes necessary.
Speaking on behalf of our thousand
members carries a lot of weight
when we’re attempting to shift policy
or to align policy in a way that
best benefits the industry. That collective
voice means a lot.”
But serving the board isn’t just
about attending meetings. There have
been some genuine challenges over
the past few years, explains Huillery.
“In general, the last couple of
years have been challenging, not
least of which due to a significant
disruption in the staff of the association,
including up to the CEO level.”
“We’ve since selected a best candidate
for CEO – Ron Glen – and
have refined the staff and organization
of the association in a way that
I believe will best serve our members
into the future. All this has
been difficult but also very satisfying.
Getting to know the staff and
Ron, and help him settle into his role
has been fantastic.”
Not all of the challenges are
internal, though. The 2015 Alberta
election brought in the new NDP
provincial government and it has
been a learning experience for
many parties.
“The challenge has been finding
alignment with our new government
and building inroads,” said Huillery.
“In the past, it’s been easier for the
association to get a seat at the table
when new policy is being contemplated.
It’s been more challenging
trying to get a seat at the table with
our new government. This political
challenge extends to everything
from bill changes that directly affect
our industry, for which we didn’t get
enough opportunity to consult, to the
Carillion issue here in our province (a
major Alberta highway maintenance
contractor whose UK-based parent
company has undergone compulsory
liquidation, and the consequences of
that), and the effect that has had on
our highway maintenance members,
has been very challenging.”
To complicate matters, there is
the additional balancing act that any
board member needs to be able to
pull off, no matter their employer.
“It can be challenging because
from time to time I need to take off
my Ledcor hat and put on my association
hat. It can be argued at times
that things that are most beneficial
for the association are not necessarily
the most beneficial for Ledcor. That
needs to be kept front of mind so that
when acting on behalf of the association
it is for the industry benefit, not
necessarily for Ledcor benefit.”
OUTGOING CHAIRMAN
payphoto / 123RF
“That said, the association is
fantastic and Ledcor has had a lot
of people serve on committees and
on the board in the past. It’s a great
development opportunity, and it’s
a great opportunity to build camaraderie,
relationships and friendships,
even partnerships. Ledcor,
through folks I’ve met via the association,
has formed partnerships
for the pursuit of certain construction
opportunities that have been
mutually rewarding.”
And there is one other direction
in which Huillery would like to steer
the association.
“In Alberta, private industry
is of course a great component of
our industry overall. And I can’t
help but think that there would
be benefit in tapping into energy
and other private clients and giving
them an opportunity to advertise
their opportunities through
the association in order to gain a
greater cross section of competition.
And complementary to that,
offering association services to the
contractors that work primarily in
the private space. I think there’s a
great opportunity to expand our
membership and service a broader
spectrum through more focus on
the private side.”
But just because he is no longer
chair that doesn’t mean that Huillery
is free and clear yet.
“Next year, I serve one more
year as past chair,” he said. Of
course, past chair has its own
specific responsibilities.
“In general, I plan to continue to
assist whenever called upon in this
next year. There are also some typical
commitments that the past chair
takes on for the association, like serving
as chair of the nominating committee.
In doing so, I plan to continue
to try and shape the board in a way
that brings new life. We’ve done a lot
of that over the last couple of years
and have introduced some new folks
that has created a good blend for
the association.
“And, of course, I’ll be nominating
another senior Ledcor individual
to the board that can carry on our
tradition of serving the association.” n
16 ALBERTA HEAVY 2018
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