Joe’s construction career began at a young age, when he learned the ropes in his father’s construction company. He worked his way up, becoming a Red Seal Carpenter, Gold Seal Project Manager, Certified Housing Professional, and the owner of Naikoon Contracting. Having worked at every level, Joe has a deep understanding of the construction industry in BC — its challenges and opportunities.
Joe is widely regarded as a leader in the industry, and is often sought out for his expertise, insights, and knowledge. He has served on countless boards and technical committees, many with the aim of addressing the construction industry’s dysfunction and progressing environmental practices. He was a founding member of the Net Zero Energy Housing Council, served as Chair of CHBA BC’s Technical Research Committee and as a member of the organization’s Executive Committee.
Joe has led his teams to over 45 local, provincial, and national awards — a testament to his standards and ability to get the best from people. Personally, he has received the Peter Simpson Award for Integrity by the Homebuilders Association of Vancouver, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, and was identified as a Top 40 Under 40 by Business in Vancouver.
I’ve spent my entire career in the construction industry starting as a laborer on job sites and holding almost every other role in a construction projects lifecycle. All I can see are inefficiencies and dysfunction that can usually be boiled down to simple fundamentals. I believe digitization is a long term solution for many of these issues, however, can of course present other ones. The Building Transformations community is one of believers and where the most passionate and experienced innovators in our field dedicate their time. It is a good room to be in for learning and sharing in hopes of making positive change on the construction industry and how it flows.
AI has changed everything in almost every industry. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. In some cases the pace of change in the construction industry is now moving lighting fast yet still running up against road blocks along the way. AI is just another massive value add if used right and it will take continued effort and patience to get it further developed and implemented as a tool or methodology for certain aspects of the industries workflow.
Collaboration from beginning to end. A mutual respect and understanding between the labourers doing the work on site to the top consultants and owners visioning the project, and everyone in between. All parties are equally important at getting the project executed successfully. Let’s not forgot that. We don't have time for hierarchies anymore.
Of course it is nice to be recognized and validate that we are doing something impactful. Certainly exciting for me and though this is in my personal name, I accept it on behalf of the amazing team at Naikoon. Innovation breeds diversity and diversity breeds innovation. We are living that at Naikoon and I love it. We are so thankful to Building Transformations; its Board and volunteers across the country and for the community that they have brought together to revolutionize what construction can be.
