Martha George announces departure
It’s the end of an era at the Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA).
Martha George, the association’s long-time president, announced on July 28 that she intends to step down from her post at the end of October. George, who has served in her role for 16 years, has been instrumental in turning the GVCA into a high-regarded and well-decorated advocate for its members.
“It has been my honour to serve the members of the GVCA and industry stakeholders,” she said. “I have always said that the most important person in an association is the member, and I have always tried to put members’ interests first and advocated on their behalf.”
GVCA represents more than 600 companies in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors of the construction industry in Waterloo Region. It provides information services, education and training, and lobbies local, provincial and national government agencies on behalf of its members.
Under George’s leadership, the association has been decorated with several awards, including the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) Gold Seal Award, the CCA Association Award of the Year and the CCA Safety Award.
George herself has also earned several awards for her work with the association – from the CCA and the Council of Ontario Construction Associations – as well as in the community more broadly.
In 2013, she received the Queens Jubilee medal for her commitment to the construction industry. In 2018, she was nominated for the Conestoga College Alumni Award of Distinction. Most recently, she was named the 2022 recipient of the Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year Award by the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
She also volunteers with the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, St. John Kilmarnock School and Grand River Hospital.
The GVCA will announce George’s successor soon.
“Change for the GVCA will be good and new leadership will bring change. I am excited to open a new chapter in my life and look forward to the journey,” George said.
GVCA’s Board of Directors is hosting a retirement party for Martha on November 10 at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge.
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