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Leadership encompasses many qualities, but at its essence it comes down to putting talented people in a position to succeed — something EllisDon has demonstrated across three generations of leadership over 75 years of growth.

With EllisDon’s 75th anniversary celebrations this month, Toronto ��������ion Association president and CEO John Mollenhauer was asked to identify the keys to the construction firm’s global success.

Mollenhauer has known all three of the firm’s bosses – the first CEO, Don Smith; his son, Geoff Smith, who served as CEO from 1996 to 2023 and oversaw major expansion; and Kieran Hawe, who in 2023 became the first non-family leader in the company’s history.

“In an industry fraught with challenges, the most remarkable thing is their staying power,” Mollenhauer said. “During Don’s tenure as CEO, the company was very different than it was during Geoff Smith’s tenure.”

Don Smith co-founded EllisDon with his brother David Ellis and was a “pitbull,” Mollenhauer said.

“Don was feisty and led the company from opening their doors to very quickly become one of Canada’s leading GCs. That’s a certain skill set that it takes to bring a company from conception and make them a national leader and a going concern.”

When Geoff Smith took over, he took the necessary steps to create a “mega company,” Mollenhauer said.

“Geoff had a very different approach than his dad. As a leader, he was more about consensus, created a very strong team around him, and relied upon them and trusted them. The company went through its second iteration as one of Canada’s leaders, but now becoming an international concern.”

With Hawe, EllisDon continues to succeed with “very strong leadership,” said Mollenhauer.

“A succession of strong leaders, and always the right person at the helm. Leadership is vitally important in great companies and separates good from great.”

Ian Cunningham, president of the Council of Ontario ��������ion Associations, remarked on Geoff Smith’s “progressive and visionary leadership” during the last 25 years.

“He hired highly competent individuals, developed an organization with role clarity and focused on what they did best. He transformed EllisDon from a first-class general contracting company into a full-service global construction services enterprise that includes among other things financing, digital and facilities management capabilities.” 

Today EllisDon champions workplace health and safety, organizational diversity and inclusion and corporate governance, Cunningham said.

In a media statement issued by the company, Hawe remarked, “We’re proud of our entrepreneurial thinking and enthusiasm, and integrity and respect are key pillars in how we work and interact. Every employee at EllisDon is an owner, so they’re expected to lead and uphold those values every day.”

EllisDon launched in London, Ont. with just four employees in 1951. Its first project was Northdale Public School. The GC is now headquartered in Mississauga and has 10,000 employees across its national and international offices.

Multiple milestones

Milestones along the way have included:

• 1956 – EllisDon becomes the first contractor in Canada to own its own tower crane.
• 1968 – the firm computerizes its accounting and cost-control systems, the first to do so in Canada.
• 1989 – EllisDon designs and builds the world’s first retractable-roof stadium, Toronto’s SkyDome
• 1990 – EllisDon establishes the industry’s first freestanding R&D department.
• 2003 – EllisDon is awarded its first P3 contract, Brampton Civic Hospital.
• 2011 – The PwC Tower office project is completed in Toronto with an end-to-end building information network, advancing smart building.
• 2018 – EllisDon acquires Carillion, becoming the sole service provider on behalf of four major provincial hospitals and the third-largest provider of health care services in Canada.
• 2020 – EllisDon announces a plan to transfer full ownership to its employees.
• 2025 – EllisDon reaches financial close on the largest hospital project in Canada’s history, to DBFM the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children.

Deep-rooted values

Ontario General Contractors Association president Giovanni Cautillo identified four facets of the firm’s operations that stand out: strong relationships, innovative programs, sustainability practices and excellence in health and safety.

“The company stands for a deep-rooted commitment to workers, community support, trade partnerships and employee-led initiatives,” stated Cautillo. “The company’s values, such as freedom, trust, openness, mutual accountability, integrity, mutual respect and entrepreneurial enthusiasm, guide its operations and culture.”

Cautillo said EllisDon’s approach to continuous innovation and emerging technologies continues to set standards within the construction industry. He said sustainability is a core principle in all aspects of the organization.

“Its commitment to creating a greener future is evident through efforts to address environmental, social and governance considerations,” said Cautillo.

EllisDon marked its 75th anniversary with celebrations at its offices across Canada.