Tuesday, February 3, 2026
HomeAround the provinceCOCA recognizes outstanding contributions to Ontario construction industry

COCA recognizes outstanding contributions to Ontario construction industry

Ontario Construction News staff writer

The Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) presented awards on June 14 to recipients in a range of disciplines, but they share a commitment to excellence “and a determination to shape a positive future for our industry and our province.”

COCA Construction Hard Hat Award – awarded to individuals who do something remarkable to advance the construction industry’s interests.

  • Ted Dreyer is a partner at the firm Madorin, Snyder LLP. He practices construction law, insurance law, and municipal liability defence. Ted is the past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Grand Valley Construction Association. He serves as a director on the Board and Executive Committee of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA). Ted is also the chair of COCA’s Construction Act Task Force.
  • Glenn Ackerley is the Chair of the Construction Practice Group at WeirFoulds. His practice is focused on construction law, construction liens and construction litigation. Glenn is active in the industry, participating on boards, committees and working groups to support and improve the industry. Glenn sits on the National Advisory Council of the Canadian Construction Association and is a past member of its Board of Directors and a Past Chairman of the Board of the Toronto Construction Association.

Industry Ally Award – presented to individuals outside the COCA federation who have contributed significantly to the construction industry’s success or improvements to Ontario’s industry environment.

2023 recipients:

Dean Dunn retired in the spring of 2023 after a 38-year construction, safety, management and stakeholder relations career.

Joe Maloney is the founder and recently retired executive director of Helmets to Hardhats.

The Chair’s Award – recognizes those who have made extraordinary contributions to the success of our provincial federation. Chair Romeo Milano presented the award to:

  • Mike Carter, executive director of the London and District Construction Association.
  • Don Marks, executive director of the Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association.
  • Jeff Koller, director of Government and Labour Relations for the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario

The President’s Award – recognizes the outstanding contributions made by a member association or by a staff member of a member association to the success of COCA in any or all aspects of its business. This year, the COCA President Ian Cunningham presented the award to:

  • Tom Mackay, Director of Health and Safety for the Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario
Robin MacLennan, Editor, Ontario Construction News
Robin MacLennan, Editor, Ontario Construction News
Robin MacLennan has been a reporter, photographer and editor at newspapers and magazines in Barrie, Toronto and across Canada for more than three decades. She lives in North Bay. After venturing into corporate communications and promoting hospitals and healthcare, she happily returned to journalism full-time in 2020, joining Ontario Construction News as Writer and Editor. Robin can be reached at rmaclennan@ontarioconstructionnews.com
RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisement -