The Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) honoured a few of its best and brightest young stars on January 23.

The association, in conjunction with its Leaders in Construction (LinC) committee, presented its first annual BOLD Awards. The awards recognize individuals in the ICI construction industry who are Building On Leadership Development. Nominees were born in 1979 or later. They are the next generation of construction professionals, and were recognized for the awards by their peers from across the industry.

“Every nomination is a loud and clear signal that what these young people are doing on the job and in the workplace is making a positive difference,” says GVCA president Martha George. “They have stood out because of a growing talent and a commitment to being an exceptional person. Nominators thought highly of them and expressed their admiration in these nominations.”

The 2019 BOLD awards were presented at a Gala event at the Bloom, Conestoga College in Waterloo.

The recipients are:

• Jake Bergen of Stubbe’s Precast received the Onsite Award – given to an individual who brings outstanding interpersonal skills to the jobsite.
• Justin Cole of Frey Building Contractors received the Customer Service Excellence Award – given to a person who has provided exceptional customer service, which includes going above and beyond the call of duty with little or no concern for financial gain.
• Richard Gillies of Ball Construction received the Craft Award – given to a skilled tradesperson who demonstrates an excellent standard of their craft to the industry through quality, leadership, customer service, skills and work performance.
• Mary Cathryn Lorentz of the City of Waterloo received the Spirit Award – given to an individual who inspires others, and who actively works towards making their workplace or jobsite a more friendly, safe and pleasurable place to work.
• Brian Major of Melloul-Blamey Construction received the Outstanding Apprentice Award – given to an outstanding individual enrolled in an apprenticeship program who has shown their desire to make their chosen trade a career.
• John Klyn of Stubbe’s Precast received the Safety Award – given to an individual who is a safety practitioner or professional, or someone with a designated safety role who demonstrates a true commitment to the continuous improvement of workplace health and safety.
• Pamela Tolton of ABA Architects received the Leadership Award – given to an individual who displays professionalism and ethical behaviour in the workplace.