OUTGOING CHAIRMAN ANDREW ARNILL
Moving Towards a
Strong Future Together
B eginning with his first job in 1999 as a flag person in
Ontario when he was 15 years old to his current position
as operations manager for West-Can Seal Coating
Inc. in Didsbury, Alta., Andrew Arnill has worked his way
through many different roles in the roadbuilding industry.
The heavy construction industry is in his blood with his
grandfather and great-grandfather co-founding Seeley and
Arnill Construction in 1946 to become roadbuilders and
bridge contractors throughout Ontario. In 1986, the company
expanded west, forming West-Can Seal Coating, specializing
in chip seals, micro-surfacing, cold milling, soil stabilization
and asphalt emulsion manufacturing. After graduating
from university, Arnill continued his career in the industry
and headed for Alberta. Then, in 2014, he took his first position
on the ARHCA Board of Directors.
“By the time I was 30, I had 15 years’ experience in
the industry,” said Arnill. “I felt that joining the ARHCA
board would not only give me an opportunity to give back
to the industry that has provided my family and me with
O U T G O I N G C H A I R
so many opportunities, but it would also allow me to better
understand how boards and governments function at a
higher level.”
Furthering his commitment to the roadbuilding industry
and the association, he took on the role as chair for 2018/19
– a very challenging year for Alberta industry in many ways.
“In April, there was a provincial election where a new
government was elected. Like most Albertans, the board
welcomed the change,” said Arnill. “I was optimistic we
would see more tender calls and changes post-election. Since
then, I have learned that government relationships take time
to foster and that budgets and decisions don’t just happen
overnight, even with new friendly faces around the table.
Although I would say it’s been a change for the better, it’s still
been a challenging year for our industry.”
One of the things Arnill feels he learned in his year as
chair is that nothing happens overnight. He has gained a
broader perspective of the industry, but with no work coming
out, everyone is in an awkward position.
By Deb Draper
I am confident
that things will
turn around,
but it’s going to
take more time.
– Andrew Arnill, Outgoing Chair, ARHCA
Photos: Andrew Arnill
ALBERTA HEAVY 3 2019 13