Ron Barrie

The Annual GCAO Cocktail Party Event was once again held this past February at the beautiful Rideau Club. In keeping with tradition, the evening was punctuated with GCAO President Gary Kozak presenting of the association's most prestigious award.

This award, given once a year for Integrity and Ethics, is provided to honour an individual who has demonstrated consistently high standards in dealing with construction industry stakeholders. Nominees for the award must be known to employ a high standard of integrity and ethics in dealing with owners, design consultants, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and fellow employees.

The 2009 Integrity and Ethics Award recipient is Mr. Ron Barrie, of PCL Construction.

Ron got his start in construction in 1960 in the field working with several contractors across Canada. In 1973 he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Queens University. Ron has held positions as Estimator, Project Engineer, and Chief Engineer and early in his career worked with a major heavy civil contractor specializing in tunnels, bridges, earthworks and major concrete structures. In 1987 he joined PCL in Toronto working on BCE Place, moving back to the Ottawa area afterward. With PCL in Ottawa, as a Senior Construction Manager, Ron was directly responsible for many notable projects in our great City.

In the last 20 years prior to his retirement in 2008, and spanning a 47 year construction career, Ron Barrie, the man behind the PCL name for a series of landmark projects built:

• The World Exchange Plaza
• La Cite Collegiale
• Ministry of Justice Headquarters
• Nortel Palladium 1 and II
• Passenger Terminal Building for Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• Laurier Tache Garage
• Victoria Memorial Museum
• and Queens Center, Queens University

Ron also holds the following memberships:

• Member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and British Columbia
• Member of the Order of Engineers of Quebec
• and also a Gold seal from the Canadian Construction Association

This award also recognizes Ron's volunteer involvement in our industry which extends to developing and supporting a bursary fund for students in construction; Numerous presentations to students on careers in construction, and careers in the trades; And also Ron's participation as an active board member with the ACQ Outaouais.

Here are some quotes from the many strong supporting nominations Ron received for this award.

From Mr. Terry Dunlap, Vice President, Modern Niagara
"having Ron involved with each of these projects ensured that a true team effort was given to the client and all parties involved were treated fairly and with respect. Ron has always displayed integrity in his efforts to get the job done on time and on budget for the client while also being proactive and understanding in the needs of all his sub-trades. I fully endorse this nomination for Ron."

From Mr. Paul Benoit, President and CEO, Ottawa International Airport Authority
"the term "Lead by Example" would very aptly apply to Ron, over the several years that Ron has been involved with OMCIAA we have benefitted from Ron's ability to consistently provide leadership, guidance, advice and support, not only to his own PCL team, but the entire project team which included the client and consultant team"

From Mr. Dale Craig, Chairman of the Board, JL Richards
"Ron has a very practical, first principles style coupled with the highest ethical standards and impeccable integrity. This style of management and leadership not only imprinted itself on his colleagues at PCL but on all within the project team resulting in a very successful, award wining outcome...I cannot think of a more worthy recipient for this award"

Ron was accompanied at the event by his wife Lorraine, and son Olivier.

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