Since the 1950s, our reputation has been the cornerstone of our continued success. An excellent reputation can be fostered only by excellent people. Ours is a business of unique challenges requiring creative solutions. With an ever-changing landscape of construction projects, these unique challenges require special skills. We have been successful in attracting and nurturing these skills in our construction process teams. FWS boasts some of the most highly skilled engineers, managers, estimators, project supervisors, site superintendents, trades people and support staff.

Our senior management team is:


Richard Chale
President

As President and CEO, Rick's primary responsibility is to guide the overall operation of this large and diversified design-build construction company. With a solid understanding of financial aspects and a keen interest in business development, he has been instrumental in guiding FWS through rapid and successful growth, where sales volumes increased from $17 million to $100 million between 1990 and 1999. Having an ability to look forward into the future, he has been able to help direct the Company into specialized market niches that has strengthened it through successful diversification. Having joined FWS in 1974, Rick has three decades of experience in the construction industry, and has gained a high level of expertise and understanding in the design-build methodology of delivering construction services. Before becoming President of FWS in 1994, Rick worked in business development and project manager roles on a great number of commercial and industrial projects. He has a keen eye for understanding process flow and is always on the lookout for ideas that will help to simplify and build efficiency into "the process."



Michael Evans
Senior Vice-President & Corporate Secretary

Michael joined FWS in 1980 after completing his studies in Business Administration and Building Construction. Over the years Michael has served as an Estimator, Project Manager and General Manager of the Commercial Division. He has been quite active in the Real Estate Development activities of FWS and presently has primary responsibility for all commercial and multi-family projects.



Douglas Petrick, P.Eng
Senior Vice-President of Engineering,
Industrial Division

Doug has been with FWS since 1986 and heads the Industrial Division. He was instrumental in developing this highly successful division and has spent his career specializing in slipform concrete technology. He has also developed a comprehensive understanding of all the related conveyance and processing systems. Doug has a Master’s Degree in Science in Structural Engineering and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba.

Bill Coady
Vice President & General Manager
Sunstone Resort Communities Corp.

Bill has 25 years of experience in all aspects of the multi-family, residential development industry, and joined FWS in 2002 to lead their Sunstone Resort Communities suburban development initiatives. Bill holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Masters Degree in Business Administration, both from the University of Manitoba.

The Honorable Gary Filmon,
P.C., O.M.
Director

Gary, who served as Premier of Manitoba from 1988 to 1999, brought his proven leadership, technical ability, international expertise and engineering background to the Board of Directors of FWS in 2000. Gary's strength as a strategic thinker, his exceptional global contacts and his integrity make him a valuable addition to our Board as we continue to expand into new market sectors and geographic areas.



Carl Doerksen, CMA
Vice President, Finance

Carl is a seasoned Accounting and Finance professional, with over 30 years of experience in the Construction & Real Estate Development Industry as well as five years as Senior Commercial Credit Manager for a large financial institution. Carl previously served as Executive Vice-President of Finance/CFO for a major construction and development company based in Manitoba. He joined FWS in 1998 and is responsible for all Accounting and Finance.



Ray Bisson, C.I.M., P.Mgr.
Vice President, Industrial Operations

Ray started working in Industrial Process facilities in 1983 as an electrician, and progressed into general grain elevator construction as a Project Supervisor. He joined FWS in 1996 as a Project Manager for the Service and Renovations Division, and after having managed this division for a few years, moved into Business Development. As of December 1, 2005, Ray has taken over the position of Vice President, Industrial Operations and oversees the day-to-day operations of the division.

Daniel K. Lenters, CRSP
Corporate Manager Health & Safety

Dan has worked in construction for over 25 years, initially as a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter, followed by a career in Occupational Safety Management. He completed his formal training in safety at the University of Alberta, achieving his diploma in Occupational Safety Management in 1988, and furthered his qualifications by achieving Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) status in 1994. Dan has served on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Construction Safety Association, and is a current member of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, and the Association for Canadian Registered Safety Professionals.