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EDMONTON, ALTA. — Chris Gower has been appointed president and CEO of  .

Gower is the ninth president and CEO in PCL’s 118-year history and he brings nearly three decades of experience to his new role. He will take over for Dave Filipchuk who held the position for eight years.

Gower was previously Deputy CEO at PCL. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer, overseeing PCL’s building operations in Canada, the United States and Australia.

He has been a key figure in PCL’s Office of the CEO and Board of Directors and, while guiding numerous landmark projects across North America, played an instrumental role in leading the company’s expansion into the solar energy market, states a release. He holds an executive certificate from Stanford University and is an alumnus of Fanshawe College.

Filipchuk, who has been with the company for 40 years, stepped into the role of chair of PCL Construction’s Board of Directors Nov. 1.

He was recently recognized with the University of Alberta Canadian Business Leader Award in 2023 and the Canadian Construction Association’s Pinnacle Leader Award in 2024. Additionally, 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,” said Filipchuk in a statement. “We prioritize succession at every level of our company, ensuring time for a smooth transition to maintain business continuity. 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.”

“I am honoured and proud to assume the role of president and CEO at PCL,” said Gower. “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. I also extend my deepest gratitude for his mentorship throughout our transition time together. Looking forward, I am filled with excitement for the journey ahead. With the unwavering commitment to excellence that defines PCL, I am confident that we are poised for even greater heights.”