In September of 2019, I established 'the Project Management Sentinel Ltd.' to provide the related services of estimating, critical path scheduling and claims evaluation for the construction industry. In April of 2020, I participated in an ODACC Adjudicator's orientation and training course to better understand how construction disputes will be handled after the implementation of the Construction Act of October 2019. I am hopeful that I can participate as an Adjudicator in the new dispute reconciliation regime.
I had been working in the road building industry with one company for over 4 decades. The company had divisions in Toronto, York Region, Lindsay, Barrie, Midland, Orillia, Sudbury, Elliot Lake and Sault Ste. Marie. I was employed between 1975 and 2017 as a superintendent, estimator, project manager, divisional vice-president and from 2005 as a senior manager, Vice-President and Director of the K. J. Beamish Construction Co., Limited group of companies.
In May of 2017, Dufferin Construction, a Division of CRH Canada Group Inc., purchased many of the assets of the company. I was employed for two years as the Manger of Asphalt Operations and as the Sales Manager for the Dufferin Construction - North District. My employment with the company ended on May 31, 2019 after I was offered and accepted a voluntary early retirement package.
While employed with the K.J. Beamish Construction Group, I had many interesting assignments. In 1986, I was the company lead, working with the Ontario Women's Directorate to develop a 'Change Agents' project to introduce women into the non-traditional field of roadbuilding. Our efforts were published in a document titled 'Equity at Work - Women in Road Paving'. I received recognition and thanks from the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, the Honourable Ian Scott.
In 1999, I was the company lead on four AMC projects that were a new approach to summer and winter maintenance in the Province of Ontario. K. J. Beamish Construction Co., Limited worked successfully with the Ministry of Transportation and is the only firm to have worked for 5 years on an AMC project without receiving even one infraction.
In 2010, I volunteered to represent the non-union roadbuilding industry as a member of the College of Trades Appointments Council. The Council acted as the organizations first provisional Board of Governors and appointed over 300 industry tradespersons and stakeholders to the College of Trades Board of Governors and the Divisional and Trade Boards. I was appointed for a second term to the Appointments Council, which ended in May of 2016.
In 2011, I joined the Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA) Board of Directors. I was honoured to receive the Director of the Year award for that year. In 2014, I was elected to the Executive Board as second vice-president and in 2016, I was honoured to represent our industry as ORBA's president.
I have gained a reputation as an honest, thoughtful and articulate member of my industry. I am hopeful that my profile will assist me in new endeavours.
The name 'the Project Management Sentinel Ltd.' is a call out to 'Sentinel Paving & Construction Limited' a union division of the KJB Construction group. I was promoted to the role of vice-president of Sentinel Paving & Construction Limited on July 29, 1988. From January 1, 2005 through to May 26, 2017, when the company was sold, I acted as a Vice-President and Director of the K. J. Beamish Construction Co., Limited group of companies.