Meet Robin Abel
Robin Abel started with MBC Group as our Chief Scientist in August and has hit the ground running in the last couple of weeks, stirring up new directions for MBC Group to grow. He came from the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Service, an overarching unit which analyzed and identified trace evidence materials. There, his favourite kind of analysis was unknown substance identification – such as identifying whether white powder sent to an individual in the mail was a threat or just sugar from an angry person’s kitchen.
Robin has extensive experience in the scientific realm. He has worked in London developing radioactive medications to assist with chronic disease research, as well as with accelerant detection canines and identifying sensitivity targets for fire debris analysis. One of Robin’s more interesting projects involved analyzing the elemental distribution in 3500-year-old mummies’ teeth to determine how close they lived to the sea and for how long. It was his work with fire investigation and ignitable liquid analysis which led him to MBC Group, through the world of fire losses. Where his previous work involved identifying criminal activity in police cases, MBC Group identifies and characterizes the same materials and analyzes what they mean at a variety of scenes. Robin has joined the company with a vision of what fire analysis could be in Canada, something that has a lot of potential for national growth. This is the first of many visions Robin sees for MBC Group’s expansion into new territory.
There is nothing Robin won’t try if it is worthwhile. Even with his three children, he loves to do experiments and engage them in learning. Fancy lab equipment can be expensive and hard to find, so he often finds ways to duplicate the processes using repurposed equipment at home. With a frame and saran material filled with water, Robin and his kids formed a huge lens to concentrate the rays of the sun. They were able to explore how hot it could get, making some glass out of sand.
Robin has a passion for finding new questions that need answering and for providing answers that other people or organizations may not be interested in providing. And MBC Group, in his eyes, is the perfect place to do that. He believes that people should keep their eyes open and look for new opportunities and new ways of doing things. For him, it is easy when you are working in an area with regulations and legislated guidelines to get locked into them and continue on a prescribed path. But what if we look at opportunities to develop and generate the next standard procedure? Is there a better way of doing things going forward, and is there a way to convince the organizations who make the standards of that methodology?
We are excited to have Robin leading the charge for MBC Group’s newest venture: Research and Development. Robin is applying his experience and finding questions that MBC Group has the opportunity to explore and answer. His current project involves automation of certain lab processes. It isn’t about taking humans out of processes but taking repetitive or time-consuming tasks and letting a computer do them for humans. In his eyes, computers are getting better and better at learning. Robin would like to teach them to see what we see when analysing a sample and doing complicated interpretation tasks, so that it can speed up the slow phases and we can then step in to analyze those results and get involved at the most interesting stages. He is enthusiastic about what is to come, and how far MBC Group can expand and diversify. We are all on our toes to see where Robin can take us, and the questions and answers that he finds along the way.
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MBC Group Welcomes New Senior Cost Consultant, Hasham Khan, PMP to the Ontario Team
TORONTO, ON/ October 13, 2020: MBC Group is pleased to welcome Hasham Khan as the newest member joining the Appraisal Division at our Ontario office. Mr. Khan brings a wide and diverse range of expertise to MBC’s cost consulting presence in the Greater Toronto Area, thanks to his years of experience working for leading engineering consulting firms.
Hasham Khan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham in England and earned a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute in Philadelphia. Mr. Khan has become an expert in the commercial/residential sector and has a strong background in high rise construction, cost consulting, loan monitoring and project management. Together with his international education and experience, Hasham will be a great addition to the team as MBC Group continues to expand our presence in Eastern Canada.
“This is an exciting time for me and I am grateful for this new opportunity to join the dynamic and highly skilled team at MBC,” says Hasham Khan “I look forward to working on the cost estimation service line, using my diverse and comprehensive experience to complement the extensive cost knowledge already in place.”
As a certified PMP, Mr. Khan demonstrates strong leadership skills in successfully and efficiently executing tasks and scopes of work to the best of his ability for each project. His experience with AutoCAD and project management systems allows clients to get a full understanding of the tactics and preparation required to operate within fixed budgets and parameters. Mr. Khan’s array of experiences provides a well-rounded and structured approach to project management and risk mitigation. MBC Group’s cost consultancy business has experienced rapid growth across Canada and the company continues to search for ways to expand and better support our current and future clients.
Mr. Khan can be reached at hasham.khan@mbc-group.ca or toll free at: 1-800-547-0608.
About MBC Group
MBC Group is one of Canada’s leading national construction consulting firms. MBC Group’s national team has serviced the construction industry for over 20 years specializing in cyber security, aviation, engineering, appraisal and quantity surveying and environmental services for all types of construction from commercial, residential and consultation. Our mission is to provide a third-party independent analysis and streamlined reporting to assist our clients in making cost-effective solutions.
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MBC Group Welcomes New Director of Operations, Luc Dumouchel
September 30, 2020: MBC Group is pleased to announce the addition of Luc Dumouchel to the team as our new Director of Operations. Mr. Dumouchel will provide large scale oversight to operations in all our business lines across Canada.
Over the past 40 years, Mr. Dumouchel has used his vast practical experience in project management to oversee the execution of increasingly larger and more complex programs throughout the program life cycle. As a project manager, Mr. Dumouchel was responsible for seeing projects through to a successful completion. He has spent much of his career leading teams, keeping staff motivated and involved, coaching and overseeing employees, resolving possible disputes and keeping team members, resources, clients and stakeholders on track to ensure the delivery of excellent quality work. One of the most important initiatives he was responsible for overseeing was managing a $21 million project with the Department of National Defense, aimed at supplying the Army with new tactical capabilities.
As the new Director of Operations, Mr. Dumouchel has expertise in budgeting and resource allocation that gives him a strategic advantage when it comes to playing a leading role in MBC’s growth strategy. MBC Group believes that the position of the new Director will safeguard and increase the productivity of the company’s operations in order to promote accelerated growth and long-term performance.
“I am fortunate to have this opportunity and be a driving force towards MBC’s future successes. The company is poised to truly grow its vision and build on the tremendous momentum they have had over the last few years,” says Luc Dumouchel “And I look forward to being a part of the effort to bring MBC to the next level, by growing our service offerings and to be the industry’s leading appraisal, environmental and engineering consultant throughout Canada.”
Mr. Dumouchel can be reached at luc.dumouchel@mbc-group.ca or toll free at: 1-800-547-0608.
About MBC Group
MBC Group is one of Canada’s leading national construction consulting firms. MBC Group’s national team has serviced the construction industry for over 20 years specializing in cyber security, aviation, engineering, appraisal and quantity surveying and environmental services for all types of construction from commercial, residential and consultation. Our mission is to provide a third-party independent analysis and streamlined reporting to assist our clients in making cost-effective solutions.
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MBC Group continues its growing presence with the addition of three new staff members to our Vancouver Team
September 28, 2020: Today we are looking even brighter towards the future as MBC Group continues to grow and expand in the region with the introduction of three new key team members joining our Vancouver office.
“For me, change and growth are the most exciting elements of business. The expansion of our team with professionals at the top of their field ensures we can continue to stay on the cutting edge!” says Ross Huartt, President of MBC Group.
Ismael Charrat, P.Eng.
Ismael Charrat, P.Eng. assumes his role as our Senior Manager for the Vancouver branch overseeing our Engineering and Quantity Surveying teams. Mr. Charrat brings with him thirteen years of project management and engineering experience with his two Bachelors, one in Civil Engineering and the other in Material Sciences from École Polytechnique de Montréal, as well as obtaining his professional Engineer stamp. Having worked on some major projects in Canada, his most recent being the $225M Montreal Airport expansion project providing Project Management and acting as the Coordinating Professional. Ismael is looking forward to meeting MBC’s clients in the region and introducing our ever-expanding Engineering expertise.
Vinay Kumar, PMP, Senior Quantity Surveyor
Vinay Kumar joins the Cost Consulting group as our Senior Quantity Surveyor. Vinay’s experience spans over a decade working on large scale residential and commercial projects up to $1B in value. Mr. Kumar’s career has taken him across Asia, Quebec and now British Columbia. Vinay has completed the highly regarded Project Management Professional (PMP) designation with the Project Management Institute and combines this with his Masters in Construction Management from Concordia University, Montreal. His professional pedigree reinforces MBC’s commitment to being a trusted technical resource for our clients. Vinay’s large-scale project portfolio will ensure he is well equipped to manage the complexities of the insurance world and continue to deliver top quality results for our clients.
Eamon McHugh, Quantity Surveyor
Lastly, Eamon McHugh joins the team as one of our newest Quantity Surveyors, obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying & Construction Economics from the University of Dublin. With five years experience in Canada he has been applying his surveying knowledge in the residential and commercial fields for a large Vancouver based general contractor. Eamon is working towards becoming a chartered surveyor with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and his Professional Quantity Surveyor designation with the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS). We look forward to his enthusiasm and contribution to our Vancouver office.
Once again, MBC Group would like to welcome Mr. Charrat, Mr. Kumar, and Mr. McHugh to the team. We are excited to see them all apply their expertise and knowledge to help our team of experts develop, as well as the positive impact they will have on helping us extend our services to more clients across the region.
About MBC Group
MBC Group is one of Canada’s leading national construction consulting firms. MBC Group’s national team has serviced the construction industry for over 20 years specializing in cyber security, aviation, engineering, appraisal and quantity surveying and environmental services for all types of construction from commercial, residential and consultation. Our mission is to provide a third-party independent analysis and streamlined reporting to assist our clients in making cost-effective solutions.
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Meet Paul Brietzke
Paul Brietzke, a Senior Appraisal Consultant, joined MBC Group in March of this year. With his years of experience as a Catastrophic Loss Project Manager for various restoration companies, as well as years in classrooms and the trades, have left him ready to apply his expertise in a new and challenging way. MBC Group prides itself in hiring consultants with a wide array of experience, much like Paul, who are trusted to give expert advice which comes from a strong foundation in experience.
The Appraisal division of MBC Group presents a wide array of projects, from reviewing project bids to making sense of the financials involved with a project and being involved at the ground level of an insurance loss. For Paul, a rewarding part of a project can often be connected to the individual experience of approaching each project with compassion and helping those impacted get back to normal as soon as possible. It can be an overwhelming experience for those affected clients, and Paul thrives in his role of making it simple and easy for those individuals as he gets to work managing the entire process and communicating with all parties, from insurance companies to contractors. Expertise like Paul’s, is required to manage every level of a catastrophe in the most streamlined and efficient manner possible; to take on a project that is messy in nature and produce a clean, presentable legal document that will provide clarity to the client.
For Paul, MBC Group represents the future of the industry – paving the way for how large losses are most effectively managed. Working at MBC Group is for individuals who want a change, something that will give them the ability to take on a diverse range of projects and continue to challenge them on a regular basis. MBC Group offers its consultants endless opportunity to take advantage of what they already know and have learned, and to think critically in their approach to loss management to find the best solutions for their client base. This is what drew Paul to MBC Group and what excites him the most about his role and future with the company.
When Paul isn’t rocking it as an appraiser, he does not mind “life behind bars” … that is the bars of his motorcycle Elizabeth, named for Elizabeth Bennet from ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’.
Paul, we look forward to seeing what you accomplish during your time at MBC Group!
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Meet Our Team
Get ready to meet the expert professionals providing our stellar services throughout Canada. Every month we will feature our staff spotlights to learn more about the incredible group of individuals behind MBC Group. We cannot wait to introduce them to you!
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MBC Group Appoints New Senior Director of Environmental Division
AUGUST 19, 2020: MBC Group is pleased to announce Christian Injates as the new Senior Director of Environmental Services across Canada. Mr. Injates has been instrumental in helping to increase our national presence and awareness of MBC’s environmental service offerings. In Christian’s short time with MBC, he has made great strides to help us with our company’s overall growth strategy and we cannot wait to see what else we can achieve working together.
Christian Injates has over 25 years of related environmental consulting experience and has been a technical resource for managing hazardous materials, indoor air quality and other projects related to industrial hygiene throughout Canada. With Christian’s experience, expertise, and his ability to lead successful teams, MBC Group is in very capable hands when it comes to developing a first-class Environmental team.
Mr. Injates will be working closely with the Director of Environmental in Edmonton, Avery Miskulin and report to our Vice President of Engineering, Antoine Caron in our Vancouver office. Christian has shown an exemplary commitment to his role as an innovator and a manager, and we are thrilled to have him lead our team of environmental specialists.
“We have big plans for what MBC Group’s future looks like and we want to ensure that we create a solid foundation that will help us maintain relationships and our reputation as being a leading national consulting firm serving a wide variety of industries. Since Christian has joined our team, he has consistently made a positive contribution to the work we are doing in the organization as well as to the communities we serve. We look forward to seeing him thrive in his new position and helping us strengthen our Environmental services on a much more global scale, as well as our other lines of business.” says Ross Huartt, President of MBC Group.
Christian Injates can be reached at christian.injates@mbc-group.ca or by phone at: 1-604-345-7445.
About MBC Group
MBC Group is one of Canada’s leading national construction consulting firms. MBC Group’s national team has serviced the construction industry for over 20 years specializing in cyber security, aviation, engineering, appraisal and quantity surveying and environmental services for all types of construction from commercial, residential and consultation. Our mission is to provide a third-party independent analysis and streamlined reporting to assist our clients in making cost-effective solutions.
Visit our website to learn more about our products and services: www.mbc-group.ca.
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New Ontario Office Location
GREAT NEWS! Starting August 17th we will be in our new office, still providing the same great service in a new location. You can still reach us at the same number, we’d love to hear from you. we appreciate your support and are readily available to provide the best Appraisal, Engineering and Environmental services in Eastern Ontario and across Canada. Feel free to stop by and say “Hi” with respect to the COVID-19 rules of social distancing and inside spaces. We cannot wait to see you there!
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MBC Group Appoints its first Chief Scientist and Research Director
AUGUST 4, 2020: MBC Group, one of Canada’s leading national construction consulting firms, is pleased to announce the addition of Robin Abel. Mr. Abel has been appointed as the company’s new Director of Scientific Research and Development and is based out of our office in Edmonton supporting national and international initiatives.
Robin Abel is a highly qualified Forensic Chemist who holds a master’s degree in physical chemistry and has submitted his PhD thesis to the University of Alberta. Robin specializes in analytical chemistry with over fifteen years of experience. Prior to joining MBC Group, Mr. Abel was a Forensic Specialist with the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services where he performed routine forensic analysis and interpretation of evidence in criminal cases. Robin is also an experienced researcher having completed numerous projects at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Alberta.
Mr. Abel will spearhead MBC Group’s Research and Development department with a focus on developing a national laboratory program in supporting our Environmental and Engineering teams in their forensic investigations. Robin is detail-oriented and proficient in determining how a multitude of factors interrelate within an investigation. The application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking skills allow him to produce reliable findings in every investigation.
MBC’s investment and appointment of Robin Abel will enable our team to conduct laboratory testing services internally. This means faster processing times for bulk sample testing to assist our environmental consultants, making the evaluation and assessment process more efficient and cost effective for our clients.
“MBC understands how significant research is to evidence-based decision-making, innovation and design. We are excited to have Robin join the team as he will play a crucial role in the advancement of MBC’s reputation for delivering creative solutions using cutting edge technology. With Robin’s addition MBC will better serve our key clientele both in Canada and the United States.” says MBC Group President, Ross Huartt.
For further inquiries, Robin Abel can be reached at robin.abel@mbc-group.ca or toll free at: 1-800-547-0608.
About MBC Group
MBC Group is one of Canada’s leading national construction consulting firms. MBC Group’s national team has serviced the construction industry for over 20 years specializing in cyber security, aviation, engineering, appraisal and quantity surveying and environmental services for all types of construction from commercial, residential and consultation. Our mission is to provide a third-party independent analysis and streamlined reporting to assist our clients in making cost-effective solutions.
Visit our website to learn more about our products and services: www.mbc-group.ca.
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New Leadership Team Promotions to Help Strengthen MBC’s Growth Strategy
JULY 9, 2020: At MBC Group our organizational culture aims for personal development and we are committed to fostering it from within. Which is why we are delighted to announce that Sandis Legzdins has been appointed as our new Vice President of Appraisal Services and Kristjan Kristjansson has been named the new Senior Manager of Alberta.
Sandis Legzdins has been providing assistance to the insurance and construction sectors in Canada over the last 14 years. Sandis oversees and supports the appraisal and surveying teams across the country to ensure that customers receive reliable and timely information, ensuring the results we provide meet their needs. As our new Vice President of Appraisal, we have no doubt Mr. Legzdins will continue to do a fantastic job of representing MBC Group and surpass all expectations in this new role.
In the last 10 years, Kristjan has provided post loss services to numerous major Canadian disasters including the floods in Southern Alberta, Fort McMurray wildfires and more. Mr. Kristjansson joined MBC Group in 2018 as an appraiser but quickly rose into a supervisory role. In combination with Kristjan’s previous roles as a labourer, technician and project manager has provided Kristjan with the applied knowledge of understanding all the factors involved in delivering a successful assessment for all construction projects.
“Sandis and Kristjan have been a key part of our success and we were thrilled to promote them both to their new roles. As we are expanding our range of services and anticipating steady growth over the next couple of years, knowing how committed they are to the work we are providing to our clients, we are confident that they can help us achieve our organizational goals of becoming one of Canada’s leading and most trusted consulting firms.” said Ross Huartt, President of MBC Group.
To learn more about our Appraisal and Surveying services please contact Sandis Legzdins. Mr. Legzdins can be reached by email: sandis.legzdins@mbc-group.ca or toll free at 1-800-547-0608.
About MBC Group
MBC group one of Canada’s national leading consulting firms in engineering, environmental and appraisal that makes us a one-stop shop to help meet all our clients needs. Our mission is to provide objective analysis and precise reporting that will help our clients make well-informed decisions. Our team of highly qualified professionals, along with advanced technology and quick turn-around times makes us one of the most preferred consulting firms across all industries.
Visit our website to learn more about our services and submit requests at www.mbc-group.ca.
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