About

About Centron (PDF 3.3MB) - Updated November 16, 2017

Our Story

For over 38 years, Centron has been a renowned builder and developer of prime real estate properties across Western Canada. Built on a foundation of trust and integrity, our core values are at the heart of everything we do.

Entrepreneurs at heart and experts at our craft, we strive to build strong relationships with our clients through transparent and reliable processes.

At our core, we still remain a family business who care about our community and value our friends & colleagues. We are locally owned and operated and have built our business on drive and integrity. We aim to provide exceptional quality and value on all projects in a timely manner and have fun while doing it. 

Our reputation is built on a foundation of principle values:

  • Teamwork
  • Results driven and always improving
  • Passionate in getting the job done
  • Long  term relationships and integrity
  • Giving back to our community
  • Safety in action
  • Having fun

Executive & Management Team

We know that each and every member is essential to our organization and that we are part of a family that achieves together. We treat our team members fair and in return they reward us with their loyalty and hard work. Centron’s management team offers decades of experience in all aspects of real estate, investment, development, management and finance. Specifically, the team has specialized knowledge of the Western Canadian market and understand first-hand the particular challenges and unique opportunities that work in a resource based market create.

Bob founded Centron in 1984 after serving for 13 years as Vice President and General Manager with Charter Construction Limited. Through diversified experience and vision Bob has built Centron into a leading Western Canadian Developer and Builder of fine Commercial and Residential projects

As a leader in the company, Cole’s focus is on implementing strategy and direction for Centron, from day to day operations to its long-term future vision. Cole has been a part of the company since its beginning, working his way up from laborer and carpenter helper, to estimator and project manager, up to vice president and now president and COO.  Cole graduated from University of Lethbridge transferring from Mount Royal University. Cole contributes a strong business background plus a comprehensive knowledge of the building and development industry. An ambitious, colorful and creative business leader, Cole also enjoys using his talents to give back to the community, providing both time and support to a variety of local charities. He is a post member of the Board of Directors for Mount Royal University from 2009-2015, has sat on the board for DDRC and the Safe Haven Foundation. He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Alberta Chapter and was on the Board of Directors (2010-2015). Cole has been with Centron since 1984 working through school until starting full time in Jan 1993.

The Centron Group of Companies is extremely proud and excited to announce that David LeMay, an experienced construction Executive and leader, has joined the Centron Team as Construction Group President. With over 30 years of industry experience, most recently as President and CEO of Stuart Olson from 2012 – 2020, David is well positioned to lead the organization into an exciting chapter of growth and success with the upcoming and existing projects in the Centron portfolio. David has a passion for leading and developing high performing teams, while focusing on people and culture. David earned his MBA, Accounting and Finance at Queens University and started his career on the tools, attending Confederation College where he earned his Red Seal Certification and Master Electrician License.

Professional Engineer

A dedicated and hardworking member of Centron since 1994, Richard has more than 35 years of construction experience working as an engineer, site coordinator and project manager for Centron as well as one of the largest construction companies in Canada.

Director, Centron Cares

With well over 20 years’ experience in residential and commercial real estate, Allison has had the opportunity to be involved in a full spectrum of developments from acquisitions through to disposition and beyond. With her education in Marketing Management through the University of Calgary, Allison’s foundation in real estate was built with one of the largest Alberta Homebuilders for over eight years, before moving into multifamily developments with Centron Group of Companies. Since 2005, Allison has engaged in all aspects of Centron’s development management, sales and leasing.

With over three decades worth of commercial real estate experience, including 12 years of commercial brokerage, large institutional and regional landlord positions, Michael brings a broad depth of experience to the company.

VP Finance & CFO

Chris joined the Centron Group of Companies in May 2022, bringing over 30 years of financial and leadership experience in both public and private organizations. Prior to joining Centron, Chris held senior positions with a number of global construction and engineering companies, including Bird Construction and WorleyParsons. Chris is a Chartered Professional Accountant and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba. He is also an active board member of the Calgary chapter of Financial Executives International.

 

Senior Director Property Management

With over 35 years of office, retail, industrial and medical property management experience, Corinne brings a wealth of knowledge to Centron as she leads the commercial and residential property management division. Taking charge on Oliver East and West, which includes over 870 residential units, she's excited to work with a solid team of youthful energy that is passionate about customer experience and eager to connect with the community.

Land Development

With over 25 years of experience in residential land development Jason has been involved with the development of numerous master planned communities in the Calgary Region.  Jason believes in strong partnerships with clear alignment and a focus on customer experience to achieve best outcomes.

PMP, P. GSC, CM-Lean

Kelly started at the grass roots level working his way through the carpentry apprenticeship program through SAIT and obtained his Red Seal Journeyman Certification with Centron.   He furthered his education through the University of Calgary Construction Management Program and is Level II Safety Codes Officer.   Kelly is a professional gold seal project manager though CCA and also has a project management professional designation through PMI.

He initiated the lean principles on Centron projects reducing waste and increasing productivity and has recently obtained a Construction Management Lean designation through the American General Contractors Association.

Kelly has a proven track record with 35 years of industry experience and has managed a variety of highly successful multi-million dollar projects throughout Alberta.

Project Manager

Karol joined Centron in 2022 as the Project Manager for the Oliver West Tower, a 452-unit mixed use project in the core of Calgary’s Beltline area. Karol brings a wealth of knowledge after over 25 years of construction experience in various types of projects including mixed-use developments, hospital expansions, as well as overseeing internal companies while working in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Karol is a hands-on natural leader whose strong work ethic encourages those around him to continuously strive for excellence and exceed expectations.

Awards & Innovation

2022
NAIOP’s REX Retail / Mixed Use Development of the Year
Awarded to Centron for The Oliver East Tower in Calgary
Award Category: Mixed Use Development Award

2022
NAIOP’s REX Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded to Bob Harris in recognition of his outstanding contributions and achievements throughout his career.
Award Category: Lifetime Achievement Award
Video Link

2021
Business and Calgary Legacy Leader Award
Awarded to Cole Harris in recognition of outstanding leadership and stewardship, business excellence, and generous community commitment.
Award Category: Lifetime Achievement Award
Video Link

2016
Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Real Estate Development Award of Excellence
Awarded to Centron for vision, leadership and the innovative use of precast concrete in addressing a diversity of construction challenges
Award Category: Lifetime Achievement Award

2015
William Roper Hull Community Leadership Award
Awarded to Bob Harris
Award Category: To recognize a Calgarian with a similar social vision as William Roper Hull and sense of social responsibility

2015
Awards of Excellence in Concrete
Awarded to Centron for Centre 10 in Calgary, Alberta
Award Category: For using cast in place concrete for the major building structure

2015
The Alberta Masonry Council
Awarded to Centron for Blackfoot Point in Calgary, Alberta
Award Category: Merit for stunning exterior brickwork

2013
Alberta Construction Magazine Top Project
Awarded to Centron for Centre 10 in Calgary, Alberta
Award Category: Commercial Project Award Over $50 million

2013
American Concrete Institute and Precast Institute of North America
Awarded to Centron & Gibbs Gage Architects for Eagle Ridge Development in Fort McMurray
Award Category: Innovative and effective use of concrete to create superior building of lasting value

2013
Harry H. Edwards Industry Advancement Award
Awarded to Centron for Eagle Ridge Development in Fort McMurray

2011
The Alberta Masonry Council
Awarded to Centron for the Royal Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion
Award Category: Presidential Award

2001
Chevron Business Leaders Award
Awarded to Centron
Award Category: Volunteer Calgary/Chevron Leaders in Business - Gold

Centron Values

 

Community

We believe in giving back, that it is an honour to help those in need. This is not something we do – it’s who we are. This commitment to the community is about more than giving money. It's about leadership.

 

Many Centron team members dedicate hours of their time to support worthy causes such as Right to Play, 100 Women Who Care, Meals on Wheels, Canadian Cancer Society & The Canadian Diabetes Association.

 

In 2001, Centron was the winner of Volunteer Calgary/Chevron Leaders in Business Gold Award.

 

In addition to our Centron Cares program, just a few of the key organizations Centron supports are:

  • EvenStart For Children Foundation of Calgary
  • Foothills Academy
  • Mustard Seed
  • Hull Services
  • Calgary Womens Shelter
  • Resolve  / Accessible Housing
  • Big Brothers and Sisters Calgary and Area
  • Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta
  • Calgary Health Trust
  • STARS
  • Inn from the Cold
  • Wellspring Calgary

 

Plus many more organizations 

 

Our Environment

As a leading development and construction company in Western Canada, we know how important using the newest and most innovative products is for our clients. We also know just how important our environment is in combination with being efficient in keeping costs down for business and individuals. Wherever possible, we encourage smart building practices throughout our organization and promote the use of sustainable building materials. We continue to improve our construction processes, such as recycling materials on our job sites and aim to design product in consideration of reducing any negative impacts on our environment. At Centron we always consider smart decisions that make a meaningful difference for everyone involved.

 

Centron has completed LEED TI projects and have designed several LEED CORE/SHELL compliant buildings that are designed to comply with LEED Certification, including the latest Energy Modeling requirements. Centron is actively developing Place 10 as a "LEED Canada Candidate Project." Recently the implementation of LEAN construction practices has helped to reduce waste on job sites significantly.

 

Centron is also in compliance with the latest American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Condition Engineers Codes to ensure energy efficiency in design of mechanical and electrical systems. 

COR - Workplace Safety Certificate of Recognition
 

Safety

The Centron Group of Companies is committed to a strong safety program that protects its staff, property and the public from accidents.

 

An injury and accident free workplace is our goal. Through continuous safety and loss control effort, this can be accomplished.

 

Centron was one of the founding members of Calgary On-Site Construction Safety Committee, which produced the On-Site Construction Safety Best Practices Guide. 

The Best Practices Guide was developed to raise awareness of the hazards and conditions at and adjacent to construction sites. 

 

The Committee continues to review and recommend Safe Work Practices, and several of these initiatives have resulted in Directives being issued by the City such as establishment of the Site Safety Plan.

 

This Committee also initiated the Advanced Wind Forecasting System, whereby the sites are notified of expected high wind gusts. This has become a requirement of the Building Permit process.

 

Centron maintains Certificate of Recognition for Safety as issued by the Alberta Government.

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