Leadership
Focus, founded in 1977, is a privately-owned firm with over 1,100 permanent staff and 20 offices located throughout Western Canada. Focus conducts its operations through five primary divisions: Geomatics, Oil and Gas Facility Engineering (DPH), Transportation, Land Development / Municipal and Environment.
David Ackert
President & CEO
David is a seasoned executive who offers 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Previous to joining Focus Corporation, he led the international division for one of the largest global providers of products and services that spanned the drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention cycles of oil and natural gas wells.
David has held executive positions around the world – from Western Canada, Russia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. His experience, both internationally and throughout Western Canada, positions him well as the leader who will take Focus Corporation through its next evolution of growth, and continued delivery of best in class service to its clients.
Jim Bell
Oil & Facilities Engineering (DPH)
As the Executive Vice President for DPH Focus, Jim is responsible for the overall success of the division as it relates to our people, clients, and portfolio. Jim's overriding goal is to deliver Cost and Schedule Certainty to his clients and is the guiding force in ensuring we achieve this goal on every project.
Jim has a wealth of industry experience in the execution of oil and gas projects for more than twenty nine years. He has a broad knowledge in operations, process and facilities construction, including design and construction of new, expanded and revamped facilities. In addition to his management of strategic alliances with major clients, Jim is a hands-on project manager with noteworthy expertise in turbine compression projects.
Ron Hall
Strategic Growth
As Executive Vice President, Strategic Growth, Ron leads a future-focused business development and creation area that identifies breakthrough growth opportunities with measurable impact, and oversees the definition, decisions, and execution of plans to achieve the growth vision for the organization. As leader of the Strategic Growth area, Ron engages and works with all business units to develop and nurture new growth opportunities to create viable, sustainable operations that can be successfully integrated into the organization.
Working closely with other members of the executive team, Ron plays a key leadership role in strategic planning, new initiatives, and acquisitions/partnerships.
Adam Brash
Geomatics
As Vice President for the Geomatics business unit, Adam is responsible for overall management of the geomatics market segment, which includes maintaining growth/profitability, driving strategic direction, establishing operational objectives, ensuring quality and safety are a priority, and nurturing employee development. Adam oversees a leadership team that coordinates the delivery of geomatics services across all regional and branch offices with a focus on superior client service and products.
Adam works closely with other members of the executive team and plays an integral role in strategic planning, new initiatives and acquisitions/partnerships.
Chuan Kua
Transportation
Chuan is the Senior Vice President of Transportation at Focus and has over 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors. His understanding of both the consultant’s and the owner’s points of view provides him with valuable knowledge and perspective that benefit his clients.
He has significant experience in senior engineering, operations, and people and resource management. He has worked on complex transportation projects in various roles, including project management; planning and engineering of major transportation facilities such as roadways, bridges, LRT, and bus transit centres; risk management; and operations of transportation and structural facilities.
As Senior Project Manager with Focus, he has managed the creation of numerous transportation facilities, ranging from the reconstruction of arterial roads; construction of new arterial roads and interchanges; design and construction of road widening; and planning, design and construction LRT expansion planning projects, among other things.
He has over 17 years of supervisory experience, including managing resources based on priority, capability, and capacity to deliver business objectives.
Scott Roessler
Land Development / Municipal
Scott is the Director of the Land Development / Municipal Division at Focus. He is also a professional engineer with 12 years of consulting experience and has developed extensive field experience, strong management skills and a solid technical background.
Scott has been involved in several large scale projects within the municipal and land development engineering field. He has experience with every aspect of a large project, having taken on the roles of survey crew chief, engineering inspector, design engineer, project manager, branch manager and regional director.
As a leader at Focus, he is responsible for the implementation of our ‘client first’ philosophy. Scott is surrounded by a team of engineers, technologists and manager’s whose mandate is to deliver cost effective and timely projects to our clientele. Innovative solutions to complex problems are a cornerstone to our business and service excellence is a requirement of our clients. Scott’s team works closely with clients from the conceptual design stage to final construction and approvals, providing cost effective and efficient solutions while meeting market demands.
Tyler Barkhouse
Environment
Tyler is the Director of the Environment Division at Focus and has 24 years’ experience as an environmental consultant in Canada including roles as Director of Environment & Geosciences; National Initiative Leader, Oil and Gas; National Director of Risk Management; Office Manager; Director of Real Estate Services; Technical Director of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments; Environmental Engineer; and Resident Site Engineer. He is a Professional Engineer, Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA), and Certified Environmental Assessor of Sites (CEAS).
Over his career Tyler has been involved with the environmental assessment and remediation of numerous federal and private sector facilities across the Canadian Arctic, Antarctica, and in southern Canada. He has also been involved with a variety of other environmental services such as Indoor Air Quality Assessments, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring, Greenhouse Gas consulting Services, Soil Remediation, and Groundwater Monitoring and Remedial Systems.
Synergies made possible by our processes, policies, technologies and wide range of expertise. Clients that hire more than one of our divisions receive the benefit of increased efficiency and reduced time and cost.
Exceptional skills, experience and vision. Focus’ leadership team works together to ensure Focus Corporation remains an industry-leader with an excellent reputation for client service, innovative thinking and high quality projects.
Innovative and effective solutions that encompass and support our economic, social and environmental sustainability values. Focus is taking steps towards a systematic, company-wide approach to sustainable and responsible business practices
Support for the communities where our employees live, work and play. Focus donates employee time and expertise, as well as financial support, to numerous non-profit organizations across Western Canada.
Protection of life, health and the environment. Safety is more than just a workplace concern: it is a lifestyle responsibility. Our safety program gives all employees the resources necessary to be safe at work, at home and in their communities.
A long, prosperous and exciting history. Focus has evolved with the involvement of talented and ambitious people, strategic acquisition of key businesses and forward-looking additions of innovative technology.
An exceptional and safe workplace for our employees. We’re proud that our workplace, safety programs, training courses and management efforts have been singled out for praise.
Great client service, innovative thinking and high quality results. Regardless of the project type, size, scope or challenge, our projects reflect Focus’ vision of success.
One of the biggest and most established survey companies in Western Canada for a reason. We provide real economic value, while ensuring your projects run smoothly and efficiently.
Cost-effective and innovative EPCM services for the oil and gas industry since 1973. Our professionals specialize in gas compression and storage, gas processing and treating, metering and automation, oil projects, pipelines, power generation, well-sites and tie-ins and SAGD facilities.
Innovative solutions that optimize existing transportation infrastructure and accommodate for current and future growth. We are industry leaders in the planning, engineering and construction management of major transportation facilities.
A wide range of services for the land development and municipal sector. Our strong technical skills, innovative ideas and first-rate project management practices increase the value of land development and municipal projects of all sizes.
The first step in the development of any successful project. Focus professionals assess the physical, biological, and economic aspects of a proposed project and minimize all environmental impacts.
Fast and accurate precise measurement services. Specialists leverage the latest 3D laser scanning technology to collect large amounts of data quickly and accurately – even in locations that are too dangerous or impossible to survey conventionally.
A world-leader in 3D mapping, planning and virtual surveys. Focus uses a combination of data, maps and imagery to create a comprehensive, complete and current image of your project area, which we can use to map your infrastructure, plan new developments and survey remotely.
An integrated approach to better air quality. Focus measures and monitors air quality and provides engineering solutions to improve it. Air quality experts leverage their understanding of new technologies, regulatory trends and scientific knowledge to identify and solve problems.
A multi-disciplinary approach to cost-effective integrated infrastructure solutions. Specialists in stormwater management planning and water resources engineering deliver effective water and wastewater treatment systems for municipal and private sectors.
Transportation construction specialists. Talented and experienced construction managers, construction supervisors, construction inspectors and surveyors work together to ensure transportation projects are completed within budget and on schedule.
Surveying for every stage of a major construction project. Specialists provide industrial construction surveying services to the oil sands industry and construction surveying services for commercial and industrial developments.
Environmental planning and management solutions. Focus’ multi-disciplinary team of experts helps reduce and minimize environmental liabilities.
Complete remedial programs, from site assessment through to full scale remediation and closure. Our professionals take a multi-disciplinary approach to remediation and reclamation services for many industry sectors, including oil and gas, commercial and industrial.
Comprehensive environmental assessments. Focus’ specialists have the qualifications and expertise to complete the wide variety of environmental assessments necessary to assess a project’s environmental implications and help our clients make sound decisions.
Innovative and cost effective facilities for an unlimited array of gas compositions. Focus’ experts have extensive experience in all areas of natural gas compression, including field compression, inlet compression, sales gas and pipeline transmission compressor stations.
A leader in deep cut facility design and troubleshooting, sour gas processing, sulphur recovery and natural gas liquids recovery and fractionation.
Map-based information for remote site assessment decisions. Focus reduces risk and saves time by leveraging satellite imagery and other remote sensing technologies to help oil and gas producers and pipeline companies remotely plan their development projects.
Outstanding visual presentation and communication materials. Focus provides professional and effective presentation, print and multi-media material that delivers messages effectively and enhances clients’ business image.
Survey services to support every stage of large- and small-scale heavy oil and oil sands exploration and development.
Comprehensive international land management services. Focus’ multi-disciplinary teams help resource and infrastructure developers through every phase of their projects.
Sustainable developments that respect the natural environment, enhance land value and improve the quality of life where people live, work and play. Focus experts manage land development projects from re-zoning and planning stages through to construction completion.
Innovative solutions for vibrant, livable communities. Focus provides an integrated suite of services to guide and support a seamless land use planning process from vision through to completion.
Creative, inspiring and innovative environments. Focus’ landscape architects create functional and aesthetically pleasing landscapes for residential, municipal and commercial projects.
Fully automated engineered packages. Our comprehensive services ensure your projects get the most appropriate type of system, including automation and control products and control methods that monitor the system and measure fluids throughout the extraction, processing and delivery process.
A wide range of land surveying and geomatics services. Focus’ professional surveyors provide the accurate spatial data, boundary definitions and geo-referenced information needed for land development and infrastructure projects.
A leading provider of oil and gas surveying services in Western Canada. With full service offices, numerous field crews, a large staff and a totally digital product model, we have the resources to provide consistent, efficient service from field survey to final plan.
Innovative SAGD solutions. Multi-disciplinary teams with expertise in the pilot and commercial application of SAGD technology provide trouble shooting, process studies, and full EPCM services for projects of all sizes.
Fast and accurate pipeline design and surveying. Trained professionals use custom tools and technological innovation to ensure the best possible quality and most efficient project management.
Design, operation and maintenance of power generation and distribution facilities. Our experts work with oil and gas and small independent power producers on power generation and power distribution facilities of all sizes.
Innovative solutions that optimize existing transportation infrastructure and accommodate current and future growth.
In-depth knowledge that only comes from first-hand experience with challenging complex transportation projects, Focus’ experts provide a wide range of services to identify and solve transportation problems.
Efficient and effective transportation structures that achieve maximum life cycle value. Focus’ team of experts is experienced in the design and construction of new structures and the evaluation and rehabilitation of existing highway bridge structures.
Complete water treatment design services for municipal and commercial applications. Focus’ experts manage water and wastewater treatment projects from the planning stages through design to construction completion.
Innovative design solutions for municipal water systems and stormwater treatment and control.
Cost efficient low risk solutions. Focus’ wellsite and tie-ins experts have developed an efficient standardized process that offers low cost, high quality customized work.
Canada’s 5th largest city is a vibrant, exciting place with multiple charms, including a cosmopolitan lifestyle, countless outdoor adventures, a dynamic arts scene and more!
This small town offers big-time benefits, including highly ranked schools, many world-class fitness amenities, easy access to Edmonton and a warm community spirit.
With its scenic mountain views and numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures that support an active healthy lifestyle, it’s no surprise that Cranbrook is the largest community in the Kootenay Rockies – and growing.
This thriving mid-size city offers exceptional lifestyle benefits, including safe and clean neighbourhoods, low average house prices and low taxes. Add its many cultural and recreational activities to the equation and you know why Edmonton’s population continues to grow.
While the thriving oil sands, natural gas and pipeline industry attracts many new workers and their families to Fort McMurray, the natural beauty, welcoming community and vibrant economy encourage them to stay.
Located in beautiful Peace River country, Fort St. John is a welcoming community that is populated with many young families. Its excellent year-round sports facilities and rugged outdoor adventures offer something for everyone from young children to avid sportsmen.
Golden’s reputation as a stunningly beautiful, incredibly active, totally welcoming community is gaining strength. And, with the strong community spirit of its residents, we’re sure to see more big things happening here.
This progressive city, located northwest of Edmonton, offers its 50,000 residents an assortment of recreational amenities, a convenient public transit system, a residential and commercial recycling program, arts and culture events, and a strong community service network.
Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty and scenic views, Invermere’s welcoming community offers something for everyone. Enjoy swimming in one of the warmest lakes in the valley, skiing at your choice of ski hill, golfing one of many courses or relaxing at the hot springs.
Economy, amenities, weather and lifestyle – all in one scenic, friendly and affordable town. Kamloops’ strong community spirit reflects the quality of life residents enjoy.
Kelowna’s natural beauty, lively cultural community and assortment of recreational opportunities are sure to please enthusiasts of all ages.
Medicine Hat residents revel in its small-town atmosphere, its sense of safety and security, their friendly neighbours and the conveniences that it offers.
This small town enjoys some big city amenities, including public transit, a busy municipal airport, public and separate board elementary schools, postsecondary education, comprehensive parks and recreation facilities and convenient access to healthcare.
Regina’s affordability enables residents to enjoy the finer things in life, and they do! With its beautiful parkland, a nationally renowned arts community, a family-friendly attitude and, of course, professional football, Reginans enjoy a high quality of life.
This sophisticated town, with just over 3,000 people, is one of Canada’s highest cities, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that it is known for mountain biking, skiing and hiking. While recreation is a passion for most within this community, so is sustainability and environmentalism.
One of Alberta’s best kept secrets, the small town of Slave Lake offers residents everything they could ask for – and more: an established town, an involved community and lakeside living provide a lifestyle that can’t be beat.
Despite its nickname, ‘the ‘hub of Nova Scotia’ is a small town with a relaxed, friendly attitude. Its moderate climate, secure economy and convenient location make it a favourite place for East Coasters.
Canada’s third largest city is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities for good reason: Vancouver is clean, safe and beautiful and it offers residents an assortment of active, intellectual and spiritual pursuits.
Recently named the second best place to live in Canada, Victoria offers climate, community, culture and history– and prospects for an exciting future.
Fast track your career! Focus is on the road hosting information sessions and conducting face-to-face interviews in various locations across Canada.
The key to our success. We develop and nurture our reputation as ‘a great place to work’ and we look for skilled people to join our team.
Benefits and resources that keep our employees healthy, happy and moving ahead! We empower people with options, resources and incentives to help them enjoy success.
Good stewardship in the protection of life, health and the environment. Focus encourages environmental awareness and accountability by supporting an assortment of environmental efforts across the company.
Numerous benefits that enrich employees’ lives and make Focus a great place to work. Focus’ safety program, employee recognition and appreciation efforts, social activities and community support opportunities reflect our company’s culture of respect, appreciation and support.
Amazing jobs for talented and enthusiastic professionals. See some of the types of jobs available and a brief description of the duties they include.
Interactive and comfortable work environments in some of the most beautiful, culturally rich and recreationally active places in Canada.
Programs that support employees’ continued growth. Focus encourages employees to develop their knowledge and capabilities, and supports them in their efforts to do so.
Outstanding learning and development opportunities.Focus develops and provides numerous opportunities for employee empowerment, motivation and engagement.