Ontario Construction News staff writer
Bridge engineer Darryl Matson and consulting engineering executive Alex Brisson have received the 2026 Beaubien Award from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) for their contributions to the industry. The award was presented Oct. 29 at the ACEC National Awards Gala in Ottawa. Established in 1985, it recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to consulting engineering. Recipients are selected by ACEC’s Past Chair’s Council.
Matson, senior vice-president and senior project director with COWI, has spent more than 35 years with the firm, progressing from junior engineer to president and helping establish it as a leading bridge engineering company in North America.
His projects include replacing the suspended structure of Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge while maintaining traffic flow and seismic retrofitting work on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
His collaborations with seismic researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, San Diego, also contributed to advances in bridge engineering, including the use of carbon fibre wrapping and lead-rubber isolation bearings.
Beyond his technical work, Matson has focused on mentoring younger engineers and developing future industry leaders. His initiatives have included informal lunch-and-learn sessions known as Table Talks with Darryl and leadership training through COWI’s Early Careers Network.
He has also contributed to the industry through the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia and maintained ties with his alma mater, the University of British Columbia. His community involvement has included promoting engineering through schools, local organizations and Rotary clubs.
COWI vice-president and head of engineering in Canada Anne-Marie Langlois praised Matson’s ability to solve complex technical problems while building trust with clients, partners and colleagues. She also highlighted his commitment to mentoring and supporting other engineering professionals.
Brisson, president and CEO of Norda Stelo, has led a transformation of the Quebec-based consulting engineering firm since taking the helm in 2013, introducing governance and ethics reforms before repositioning the business around specialized engineering services.
His appointment came during a period of scrutiny of Quebec’s construction industry following investigations into industry practices that undermined public confidence. Brisson, an engineer with 20 years of project delivery and leadership experience and a newly earned MBA, made ethics and integrity central to the company’s operations.
Reforms included restructuring the board of directors to add independent members, introducing an employee code of conduct requiring annual signatures and establishing initiatives to engage staff through internal committees, open forums and leadership roadshows.
The changes helped rebuild trust and establish a foundation for the company’s growth. Norda Stelo subsequently received recognition through Canada’s Best Managed Companies program and the ACEC National Awards.
Brisson also led a strategic shift toward specialized engineering services focused on energy transition and asset resilience. The approach emphasizes projects intended to deliver positive outcomes for clients, communities and the environment.
Under his leadership, Norda Stelo became the first multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm in Canada to receive B Corp certification, which recognizes businesses meeting standards for social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
Brisson has also advocated for stronger industry governance and changes to public procurement practices. His willingness to discuss lessons from Quebec’s Charbonneau Commission, which investigated corruption and collusion in the construction industry, helped promote accountability and rebuild confidence in consulting engineers.
His participation in discussions with Quebec’s Treasury Board on procurement models for engineering services also helped advance a shift away from selecting firms primarily on the basis of lowest cost toward a greater emphasis on quality.
Brisson continues to mentor emerging professionals and has established Génération Norda, a shadow board of young professionals from different disciplines who discuss organizational culture, innovation, sustainability and leadership with the company’s executive team. He also teaches and participates in industry associations.
The Beaubien Award recognizes both engineers’ contributions to the industry, from Matson’s technical achievements and mentorship in bridge engineering to Brisson’s work in corporate governance, public trust and the development of future consulting engineering leaders.
