Project Manager
How has your career grown since starting at Sullivan?
I started out with Sullivan as a summer student after my first year of school, helping with a little bit of everything from safety, quality, and paperwork. I continued as a summer student for the summers until covid hit when I started full time while school was online. Sullivan allowed me to take my classes through the day while at work and made it easy for me to complete my schooling while working on site. During covid I moved from a quality control position to more of a project coordinator position. Once I was done school, Sullivan hired me on full time as a project coordinator helping on a few jobs and even managing a couple small project on my own. I am currently working out of town in Sudbury as a project coordinator on a large long term care facility. Through this project I have gradually taken on more and more responsibility and have learned a lot. I am very thankful that Sullivan has given me the opportunity to work on a job of this scale from start to finish.
What do you like most about working at Sullivan?
The thing I like most about working at Sullivan is the support that the company offers their employees. The company as a whole was so accommodating while I was in school and now in my new role they are always offering their support and willing to help me out when needed. I can talk to my bosses and tell them what I need without fearing any backlash. Also, the golf tournaments are always a lot of fun.
What are three career lessons you've learned thus far?
- Listen and learn from your colleagues experiences, as a young employee in the company I find I can learn a lot from the experiences that the people I work with share with me, whether that be issues they have run into in the past and what to watch out for to prevent them or easier ways to do things that they have done in the past to help the project.
- Time management is critical to getting things done on or ahead of time. There is always lots going on on site and everyone is very busy. It is very important to use your time effectively and efficiently, setting priorities is key in making sure that people are not looking for things from you at the last second that could potentially hold things up.
- Organization skills make life much easier. It is difficult to keep all the different moving parts in line during the day to day and staying organized makes sure things are easy to find, tasks don’t get missed, and it definitely helps keep the frustration level down.
Project Manager
How has your career grown since starting at Sullivan?
I started with Sullivan shortly after finishing my Undergraduate Degree. I started as a Project Coordinator assisting on various smaller Heavy Civil projects and after just a year of working here, I was promoted to a Junior Project Manager and began to run these projects on my own. Now approaching 3 years with Sullivan, I’ve had the opportunity to manage Heavy Civil projects for diverse clients from Ottawa to Chalk River and in between, gaining both field and office experience. As my career has progressed, I have been trusted with more and more complex projects and been able to participate in larger project teams.
What do you like most about working at Sullivan?
Working at Sullivan truly does feel like working for a family company. Being early on in my career, working in an environment where everyone is on the same team and knows each other has been very beneficial for my ability to grow without feeling lost in the machine. Whether it be in the office, on a jobsite, or at one of the numerous Social Committee team building events, it is evident that Sullivan has a great company culture that promotes community and family.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
- Your colleagues are some of your best resources. Sullivan is made up of skilled individuals with unique experience and knowledge, which is very valuable.
- Continue to develop yourself. Take the time to expand your skillset through further education and reflect on what will make you more effective in your position.
- Do not ignore the fine print. The construction industry is home to extensive specification documents, drawings, and contracts. It is easy for something to be missed, but taking the time to read and understand it all is the best defense against this.
Civil Estimator
How has your career grown since starting at Sullivan?
I came to Sullivan in September 2019 as a Project Coordinator/Estimator in the Heavy Civil department, where I had the opportunity to oversee a few projects and assist in the bidding of new project tenders. With my extensive background in civil estimating, I made the move from the Heavy Civil department to the Pursuit/Estimating department in 2021 to solely focus on estimating as a Heavy Civil Estimator. Since making this transition, I have had the opportunity to bid on some challenging and complex projects and to work alongside a group of great people.
What do you like most about working at Sullivan?
The thing I like most working for Sullivan is the company culture. I have worked for family-owned construction companies for most of my career, and I can say without hesitation that you truly feel like a member of the family here. Whether its collaborating with a colleague in the office or enjoying one of the many social committee events, everyone is very welcoming, genuine and accepting.
What are three career lessons you've learned thus far?
- Don’t let failure restrict you. We tend to beat ourselves up when we make a mistake as we all strive for excellence. Unfortunately, nobody is perfect, and you’re bound to make a mistake at some point in your career. What matters most is how you react to your failure. It is an essential part of the process for you to learn and develop as a professional.
- Happiness is key to success. As the old saying goes “If you like what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”. The reality is you will spend 30 years or more of your life at work and if you aren’t happy in your role, it can be a long run to the finish line.
- Never stop learning. This is good advice for your career and life in general. As long as our world keeps changing, we will forever be in a continuous cycle of learning new things. Knowledge can come for anywhere and everywhere.
Pre-Construction Manager
How has your career grown since starting at Sullivan?
Since joining Sullivan, my career has grown holistically. I’ve had the opportunity to take on new challenges, expand my skill set, and work on meaningful projects that have helped me refine my expertise. The collaborative culture and mentorship at Sullivan have provided me with valuable insights and guidance, allowing me to progress in both leadership and technical skills. I started my journey at Sullivan as a Junior Project Manager and have progressed to become Sullivan's first Pre-Construction Project Manager.
What do you like most about working at Sullivan?
What I love most about working at Sullivan are the friendships I have made. We all come from different areas, different types of careers and different positions but we have been brought together at Sullivan. I know a lot of these connections and friendships that have developed from being at Sullivan will last a lifetime. Case in point - before I was hired by Sullivan, I worked with Sullivan team members in a different capacity, we maintained that connection and a few years later, I was hired.
What are three career lessons you've learned thus far?
- Adaptability is key - the ability to embrace change and be flexible has been crucial in navigating certain challenges and new opportunities.
- Collaboration is crucial - working closely with a knowledgeably diverse team reinforces the fact that different perspectives and a range of problem solving skills is vital to success.
- Communication - is one of the most critical tools you have and must be used wisely.
Project Coordinator
How has your career grown since starting at Sullivan?
Since starting at Sullivan a year and two months ago as a Project Coordinator with the Civil Department, my career has grown significantly. I worked on-site at the Lady Grey project along the Ottawa River in Ottawa, where I learned Sullivan’s core values; community & family, integrity, construction excellence and continuous improvement. I later transitioned to the ICI Department to work on the Bagotville project in Saguenay, flying in and out regularly. Committed to giving my best, I’ve decided to move to Saguenay full-time. With Sullivan's support, I also completed my Construction Management program at Algonquin, further strengthening my skills. I’m excited for this new chapter and to keep growing with Sullivan.
What do you like most about working at Sullivan?
What I like most about working at Sullivan is the sense of family. From the start, I’ve felt genuinely welcomed and supported. Sullivan truly cares about its people they listen to your needs, and there’s always someone willing to help when you have questions. The teamwork and dedication here are incredible; everyone takes pride in their role, and it really shows in the quality of work we deliver. On top of that, Sullivan knows how to take care of its team, organizing various activities and making sure we feel valued and appreciated. It’s a great balance of hard work and a supportive environment, which makes coming to work every day rewarding.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
- Never stop learning - Sullivan encourages personal and professional development. Offering support for learning new skills through courses of gaining experience on various projects.
- Work as a team - At Sullivan, I’ve learned the value of relying on colleagues for support and guidance. Teamwork is essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
- Health and Safety matters - At Sullivan, we prioritize safety by maintaining high standards on our work sites. We focus on protecting employees and the environment through careful planning and ongoing efforts to improve safety in the industry.
Travis Holmes Project Scheduler
How has your career grown since starting at Sullivan?
Over the past 5 years at Sullivan, my career has evolved in ways I’m truly proud of. I began in the field as a superintendent, where I gained hands-on experience and a deep appreciation for the day-to-day realities of construction and for the people that drive our projects forward day in and day out. Since then, I’ve transitioned into a project controls role, where I now support and influence many projects by focusing on how they’re planned, managed, and delivered. It was a learning curve for me, but I was supported every step of the way to stretch outside my comfort zone and tackle new challenges. It’s been a rewarding journey of continuous growth.
What do you like most about working at Sullivan?
What I value most about Sullivan is the genuine care people have for each other. As someone with a young family, I’ve really valued how supported and encouraged I’ve felt at Sullivan, especially in an industry where that kind of balance isn’t always easy to find. It’s made a big difference for me, both personally and professionally. I also take great pride in the kind of work we do: we’re not just putting up buildings, we’re building spaces that serve real purposes in our communities, like hospitals, military facilities, and energy infrastructure. It feels good to know our work is helping people where it matters most.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
- Growth comes from change – Moving from the field into project controls taught me that stepping out of your comfort zone leads to some of the most valuable learning experiences.
- People make the difference – Whether on-site or in the office, the strength of the team determines the strength of the project. Collaboration and respect go a long way.
- Purpose drives passion – Being part of projects that support healthcare, the military, and energy has shown me the power of purposeful work. When the end result helps people, it brings a whole new level of motivation.
