CIQS Podcast – Knowledge Counts

In this episode of “Knowledge Counts”, host Wendy Hobbs speaks with Wyatt Clairmont (Altus Group) and Niki Elliott (ARCAN Construction Ltd) about their experience working on construction projects North of the 60th parallel. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Producer: Ryan Schriml • Guests: Wyatt Clairmont and Niki Elliott About Our Guests: Niki Elliott, Project Manager, ARCAN Construction Ltd. Niki Elliott is a Civil Engineering Technologist working as Project Manager for ARCAN Construction Ltd. with 17 years of construction experience in various industries. She began working on projects in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories when she came on board with ARCAN in 2015. Niki consistently strives towards efficiency and precision in her management of the project team. She actively works to always deliver a great product. This year marked a new role opportunity for Niki as General Manager of Metcan Building Solutions. MBS is a collaborative venture between ARCAN and the Hay River Metis, constructing Ready to Move Structures in a new, purpose built, facility based out of Hay River, NT. Niki believes this form of project delivery is a key solution for the future of providing housing to Northern Communities, and hopes that with her new role, MBS create new housing, employment and on the job training opportunities. Prior to joining the ARCAN team Niki held positions of leadership and responsibility in the private and public sectors including Party Chief with Morgan Construction and Lead Surveyor with Caliber Systems. Her knowledge of various construction methods and project deliveries makes her a great asset to any project team. Wyatt Clairmont, Project Manager, Altus Group Wyatt holds a Business Administration degree from Brandon University, a Civil Engineering Technology diploma from SAIT and a Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) designation from the CIQS. Wyatt is an accomplished Professional Quantity Surveyor that has worked on projects of various sizes and various locations, including on affordable housing projects, schools and government office building in Nunavut and NWT. His project management experience has provided him with a broad range of knowledge and impressive adaptability. His experience working on projects in Northern Canada has given him a unique perspective with a heightened level of risk awareness and a desire to forecast project milestones on a monthly as well as yearly basis, with seasonal restrictions being top of mind. For complete show notes, go to ciqs.org/podcast.

For this issue of Knowledge Counts, we are speaking with Ross Huartt about mental health and burnout in our profession. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Producer: Ryan Schriml • Guest: Ross Huartt, PQS About Our Guest: Ross is a highly qualified and accredited Professional Quantity Surveyor registered with the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and is a recipient of the prestigious Gold Seal Certification in Estimation issued by the Canadian Construction Association. His diverse experience includes major projects in civil infrastructure, medical, educational, and commercial developments. A UK-trained professional, his experiences include risk analysis, planning, value engineering, contractual negotiations, forensic accounting, and project management. He is known as an innovative expert with a keen eye for disrupting the status quo and embracing developments in technology and sustainability. As a dedicated and creative leader, Ross continues to transform the company into a uniquely integrated solutions provider. His strategic visions have seen the company expand across Canada with over 15 offices and 150 employees. For complete show notes, go to ciqs.org/podcast.

In this episode of “Knowledge Counts”, host Wendy Hobbs speaks with Harman Sandhu about Stakeholder Engagement. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Producer: Ryan Schriml • Guest: Harman Sandhu About Our Guest: Harman is a project manager with Altus Group and has provided project management and consulting services for the commercial real estate industry in Canada for the past eight years. He also instructs second-year Civil Engineering Technology students at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) about contracts and regulations as related to the construction industry. For complete show notes, go to ciqs.org/podcast

For this episode of “Knowledge Counts”, host Wendy Hobbs speaks with Kelly Parker about the responsibilities of a Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) quantity surveyor on a construction project. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Producer: Ryan Schriml • Guest: Kelly Parker, PQS About Our Guest: Kelly Parker, PQS, has over 25 years of experience working as a contractor’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) quantity surveyor in the UK before relocating to Canada and joining Tech-Cost in 2015 as an M&E cost consultant. As a “poacher turned gamekeeper”, she understands how services are installed on-site, which is key when preparing estimates and reviewing change. She volunteers as a CIQS Ambassador and she is excited about promoting the Institute and quantity surveying as a strong career choice. “As quantity surveyors, the world is our oyster, and we are limited only by our own beliefs.” For complete show notes, go to https://ciqs.org/podcast

For this issue of “Knowledge Counts”, we are speaking with three CIQS members who share the path they took to join CIQS and earn their designations. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Producer: Ryan Schriml • Guests: Mykola Pulnyev, Kelly Parker, Michael Gabert About Our Guests: Mykola Pulnyev, PQS, MRICS, PMP, GSC was born in Ukraine, where he lived until he moved to Toronto with his family in 2002 in pursuit of new opportunities. He started off working in construction with a Ukrainian plumber while taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at night. In 2004, he was accepted into the Construction Engineering Technology program at George Brown, where he took a construction cost estimation class. His instructor inspired him to join CIQS as a student member and he earned his PQS in 2014. “I have always wanted to be associated with landmarks that will remain on the Canadian landscape for generations.” At the time of this interview, he was the preconstruction manager at EllisDon in Ottawa. Currently, he is the commercial director for EllisDon in Chicoutimi, QC. Kelly Parker, PQS has over 25 years of experience working as a contractor’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) quantity surveyor in the UK before relocating to Canada and joining Tech-Cost in 2015 as an M&E cost consultant. As a “poacher turned gamekeeper”, she understands how services are installed on-site, which is key when preparing estimates and reviewing change. Growing up, she saw herself as working in a bank or possibly being a brick layer. When her father told her that quantity surveying was a good profession, she “decided to count the bricks instead of laying them.” She volunteers as a CIQS Ambassador and sits on the CIQS education committee, and she is excited about promoting the Institute and quantity surveying as a strong career choice. “As quantity surveyors, the world is our oyster and we are limited only by our own beliefs.” Michael Gabert, PQS(F), MRICS, GSC is the director for BTY’s Prairie’s region, specializing in Lender’s Technical Advisory, Independent Certification, Payment Certification and Cost Management services for public authorities, owners, developers, architects and financial institutions. His experience encompasses independent costing, compliance review, preparation, and certification of substantial and total completion on major projects. He has worked in a wide variety of project sectors, including airports, health care centers, waste-water treatment plans, highway and bridge projects. “There is so much to learn in this profession. You go to work every day knowing that you will learn something new.” For complete show notes, go to https://ciqs.org/podcast.

During this episode of “Knowledge Counts”, Wendy and her guest, Michael Gabert will discuss the role of a Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) on P3 projects. Although P3 projects have been used globally for decades, it is only in the last 10 years or so that P3 projects have become common-place in Canada. A P3 project is different from a traditional procurement process as it integrates every aspect of the project into one contract for public infrastructure project such as roads, bridges, hospitals, event stadiums, highways, schools and bridges. These projects could require that the architect, builder, lender and operations team all work together throughout the life cycle of the project. Michael Gabert, Director, Cost Management Services at BTY talks about the various roles a PQS can have on these projects throughout its life cycle. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Producer: Ryan Schriml • Guests: Michael Gabert, PQS(F) About Our Guest: Michael is the Director for BTY’s Prairies region specializing in Lender’s Technical Advisory, Independent Certification, Payment Certification and Cost Management services for Public Authorities, Owners, Developers, Architects and Financial Institutions. His experience encompasses independent costing, compliance review, preparation and certification of Substantial and Total Completion on major projects. He has worked in a wide variety of project sectors including airports, health care centers, waste water treatment plants, highway and bridge projects. For complete show notes, go to https://ciqs.org/podcast.

During this episode of “Knowledge Counts”, Wendy and her guest, Kirk Burney will discuss various aspects of site development, such as site selection, self-performing companies and tenant improvements for franchise v. corporate properties. As the senior director hotel and restaurant renovations at Northland Properties, he works with the clients from the beginning of the project, which includes risk assessment to identify any pit falls, such as flaws in design, construction or even the site selection. Tune into our latest episode to learn more. • Host: Wendy Hobbs, PQS(F) • Guests: Kirk Burney, Senior Director for Northland Properties • Producer: Ryan Schriml About Our Guest: Kirk Burney is the Senior Director Hotel and Restaurant Renovations for Northland Properties. He's an experienced Project Director with a demonstrated history of collaboration and financial stewardship. He has strong construction, project management and facility maintenance background working in the restaurant and construction industry. Kirk is skilled in negotiation, restaurant design, multi-unit facility management, budgeting, cost controls, food & beverage, and operations management and is a professional with a high regard for honesty, integrity, trust and respect. Kirk is a fun and loving husband and a father to two of the greatest people in the world. He's an experienced medieval fighter who loves camping, downhill mountain biking, kayaking and coaching other people how to achieve their desired goals in life. For complete show notes, go to https://ciqs.org/podcast.