Ontario Construction News staff writer
The PCL family of companies has announced a succession plan for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.
Chris Gower has been appointed as the ninth president and CEO, bringing about three decades of experience with PCL to his new role, leading PCL’s office of the CEO.
Gower previously held the position of Deputy CEO, and before that was Chief Operating Officer, overseeing PCL’s building operations in Canada, the United States and Australia. He holds an executive certificate from Stanford University and is an alumnus of Fanshawe College. He is also a CCA Gold Seal certified estimator and project manager and was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 leaders.
“I am honoured and proud to assume the role of President and CEO at PCL,” Gower said. “Leading a company with such a rich and successful legacy is a privilege, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dave Filipchuk for his leadership over the past eight years.
“With the unwavering commitment to excellence that defines PCL, I am confident that we are poised for even greater heights. Our talented builders across Canada, the United States and Australia will continue to build a better future together and uphold the legacy that has defined PCL for more than a century.”
Dave Filipchuk has been appointed board chair, after an over 40-year career with the company, including the last eight as president and CEO.
During his PCL CEO tenure, Dave successfully led the company to record achievements and accolades. He has recently been recognized with the University of Alberta Canadian Business Leader Award in 2023 and the Canadian Construction Association’s Pinnacle Leader Award in 2024. Also, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2024.
“Effective succession planning is about positioning the right leaders at the right time. We prioritize succession at every level of our company, ensuring time for a smooth transition to maintain business continuity,” Filipchuk said. “Chris is an exceptional leader with a proven history of success, and our board looks forward to his continued commitment to excellence as he leads our growing and thriving organization.”