Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) elected Mario Villeneuve as president at the 96th annual convention and AGM.
In his inaugural address Feb. 7, Villeneuve, of Villeneuve Construction, spoke about promising opportunities ahead for the industry in light of the provincial government’s transportation infrastructure capital program. His priorities include furthering ORBA’s work to develop a sustainable and inclusive road building workforce, more transparent and effective highway maintenance contracts, more environmentally sustainable industry practices, the need for a road to the Ring of Fire and further improvements to Highways 11 and 17.
“Now is the time to work together as an Association and seize the opportunities facing us and the challenges that confront us,” Villeneuve said. “Make no mistake that I am committed to ensuring that ORBA and OAPC become the leading voice of the road building industry in every corner of this province.”
ORBA officials congratulated outgoing president Kevin Machej of Dufferin Construction Company for his “exemplary leadership” over the past year.
Also at the convention, Peter Hamstra of Dufferin Construction Company was elected as the 2023 chair of the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council (OAPC), a council of ORBA. During his inaugural remarks at the ORBA Convention and AGM, Hamstra reaffirmed OAPC’s commitment to ensuring excellence in quality asphalt products and paving techniques, promoting environmental responsibility, continued adherence to industry codes and standards and advocating for the rights and interests of the industry.
