Leadership

 

The People Behind Kel-Gor

Kel-Gor Limited is owned and operated by the Gordon family since 1969.

Tom Parkes
President
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Derek Barton
Senior Vice President Operations
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Dave Murphy
Vice President Construction
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Steve McGuire
Vice President Business Development
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Matt Gordon
Director
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Murray Shaw
Project Manager
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Dave VanLeathem
General Superintendent
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Travis Rops
Engineer
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Tom Parkes
President

Tom joined Kel-Gor Limited in 1981 as a 1st Year Apprentice Pipefitter, working for his father, Ron Parkes, a supervisor with Kel-Gor Limited for over 20 years. Tom has worked for the company as a Journeyman, Foreman, Area Foreman, Planner, Coordinator, Site Manager, Estimator, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and Vice President of Operations. In December 2017, Tom was named President of Kel-Gor Limited, with a focus on the company’s Health & Safety and Quality Assurance programs, as well as providing oversight and direction for the company’s strategic growth initiatives.

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Dave Murphy
Vice President Construction

As a Red Seal construction Boilermaker, Dave was named Vice President of Construction in 2018, after serving 24 years in various capacities with Kel-Gor Limited. Dave is a graduate of Humber College, has served on the Ontario IHSA Construction Boilermaker Committee and is presently a member of both the Master Insulators Association and Boilermaker Contractors Association. In his new position, Dave is responsible for the executive oversight ad resource allocation of all construction related activities, ensuring that safety and quality are at the forefront of every project.

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Steve McGuire
Vice President Business Development

Steve joined Kel-Gor Limited in 1994 and has performed various roles, including Boilermaker, Welder, Quality Assurance Advisor, Safety Officer, Supervisor, General Superintendent and Project Manager. Steve has more than 30 years of experience in work execution, general management, construction, maintenance, project and labour relations management, serving the petrochemical, gas, power generation and oil refining industries. In 2018, Steve assumed the role of Vice President of Business Development, being responsible for growth and expansion across the organization and throughout all geographical areas.

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Derek Barton
Senior Vice President Operations

Derek is Senior Vice President of Operations for Kel-Gor Limited, and is responsible for all aspects of Project Management, construction/maintenance execution, procurement, engineering, and design. Derek joined Kel-Gor Limited in 2005 and brings over 30 years of experience executing mechanical, piping, structural, and civil construction work, from both the owners, and contractors’ perspectives. Prior to joining Kel-Gor Limited, Derek worked for Polysar, Bayer, and Lanxess for 15 years in a project control/project management capacity. Derek is a graduate of Lambton College’s Mechanical Engineering and Technology program and holds C.E.T. accreditation.

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Murray Shaw
Project Manager

Upon graduating from Lambton College’s Mechanical Engineering and Technology program, Murray joined Kel-Gor Limited in 1991. Murray has worked through many departments within Kel-Gor Limited, including procurement, shipping & receiving, quality assurance, and project management. Murray’s current responsibilities include executive oversight of the company’s fabrication shops and operations, and the estimating and management of work specializing in vessels, tanks, furnaces, cold boxes, stacks, and duct work. Murray is credited with developing many of Kel-Gor Limited’s specialty welding procedures and offers technical support for projects across the entire organization.

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Dave VanLeathem
General Superintendent

As General Superintendent, Dave is responsible for all aspects relating to the successful and safe execution of work. Dave oversees the labour force and equipment for all client sites, performs job mark-ups for each project, provides expertise with union specific jurisdictions, and assistance with constructability, heavy equipment moving, and rigging. Joining Kel-Gor Limited in 2005, Dave brings over 30 years of experience executing large construction projects specializing in piping process systems, electrical systems, mechanical, and civil work. Prior to joining Kel-Gor Limited, Dave worked for E.S. Fox and Lackie Bros. Dave is a construction Millwright and holds a G.S.C. designate in Project Management.

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Travis Rops
Engineer

Starting with Kel-Gor Limited in 2013, Travis currently provides engineering support on a variety of construction projects. During his tenure, Travis has severed in the Kel-Gor Limited’s Quality Assurance department and Project Management department, providing technical support for both capital projects and turnarounds. Travis is experienced in ASME Div.1 pressure vessel design and construction, most recently being the lead designer for over 30+ pressure vessels for a client’s multibillion-dollar expansion project. Travis holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Guelph.

 

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Matt Gordon
Director

Matt Gordon joined Kel-Gor Limited’s executive management team in 2016 and serves as the on-site representative for the company’s ownership group. As part of his management duties at Kel-Gor, Matt plays an active role in the company’s mergers and acquisitions strategies and helps to oversee and manage the development of new business ventures and divisions. Matt holds an MBA from Ivey Business School

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