Building a Legacy of Innovation
TWD has a rich history of providing project management, engineering, procurement, and construction management solutions.
Customer Satisfaction, 25+ Years Strong
Our multidisciplinary project approach brings together professionals from different fields to collaborate and exchange ideas with our clients in multiple industries around the world. Through our expertise, innovative thinking, and commitment to excellence, together we deliver beyond all expectations.
The Story Behind TWD
TWD was formed by its founding partners, Milt Tsiapalis and Scott Wilson in 1994. The company remained a dream as they continued working in other careers, until 1999 when the dream became a reality with humble beginnings of their first office in Milt’s basement. Two best friends in pursuit of turning their passion into a profession along with their desire for growth and a challenge led to the naming of this company TWD… a play on words initially of “Two Weird Dads” was fitting as they both had young families in the early years of the company. Eventually leading to our core value of “Together We Deliver”.
Fast forward to 25 years and some may ask “who is TWD and what do we do”? Sure, we are a mid-sized engineering, procurement, and construction management firm in business for around 25 years now, but more importantly we would want you to know that we simply love the challenge of working together to deliver! What makes things even more magical at TWD occurs when we combine this underlying characteristic with our desire to responsibly and respectfully support a growing world, it becomes our passion and our WHY.
Discover the Brilliance at TWD
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer at TWD for over 13 years, he has guided the organization through its many periods of growth and cost optimization with a forward-thinking, risk adverse approach. Emil comes with a 30-year background of working in various industries including Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Chemicals, Energy and Services. Emil also leads the Information Technology group of professionals in its ever-changing landscape, supporting the organization with a drive to be at the forefront of best and secure practices.
He is a collaborative and results-oriented individual with a drive of passion of problem solving for Clients as well as internal stakeholders. On any given day you could see Emil interacting with Clients helping negotiate contracts on behalf of them and supporting each Client’s individual organizational needs. He can also been seen daily working with Client facing team members supporting their success all the way up to the Principals and strategic planning.
Emil has immensely experienced teams in both the accounting and information technology sides of the business that help support every employee and contractor that works for TWD. The help desk support is industry leading and the accounting teams are there to ensure that the financial needs of the organization are always met.
Emil began his academic career at the Universities of Waterloo and Guelph in Engineering, eventually moving onto his preferred area of passion of Finance and Accounting. After a lengthy career, he has moved full circle back to engineering and operating as the CFO. Once an engineer, always an engineer, he just changed the drafting table and programming skills to a spreadsheet with dollar signs.
“Problem Solving is at the core of everything we do. Whether it is for Clients directly or indirectly a problem is just a set of circumstances that is new and has to be dealt with and overcome. With the right attitude and investigative approach every problem can become an opportunity to learn, improve, solve or make someone’s life better.”
Director of Engineering, Western Canada
Director of Engineering, Western Canada
Gary is TWD’s Director of Engineering for Western Canada and has been with TWD since 2008. He brings over 20 years of experience with project development, project management, Mechanical Engineering, and team leadership across small and large scale projects.
A practical problem solver proficient in piping, mechanical equipment, instrumentation, and controls, with a good understanding of electrical and civil\structural requirements in brownfield projects. Gary can see the whole picture and lead the project team towards fit for purpose solutions.
Gary developed an interest in how things work and mechanical systems from his father who was a respected small engine mechanic, this and a love of motorcycles and motorized transportation in general led him to pursue Mechanical Engineering. Originating from Newfoundland, Gary worked and schooled himself across the country, attending university in NF, PEI, AB, and ultimately graduating from the University of Calgary. Gary is now a Professional Engineer with licenses in, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing. George Bernard Shaw. Not my own personal quote, but one I believe in, and one TWD helps foster with a high importance on “work life balance”.
Vice President of Operations, Western Region
Vice President of Operations, Western Region
Ryder McRitchie is our Vice President of Operations for Western Canada. He possesses over 30 years of experience in the energy industry. His responsibilities include providing over-sight to our regional offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Burnaby, driving high performance and ensuring we meet, if not exceed the expectations of our growing client base.
Before joining TWD in 2022, Ryder was most recently the Vice President, Capital Markets & Public Relations at Jupiter Resources, a privately held natural gas producer. Prior to that, Ryder worked in Vancouver with Westport Fuel Systems helping the organization through a transformative merger and strategic review. He spent the majority of his career with Encana Corporation, progressing from a facility and project engineer, into the corporate acquisitions and dispositions team, culminating with his role on the executive leadership team providing strategic leadership for teams that included investor relations, communications, government relations, community involvement and corporate social responsibility.
Ryder is always looking for ways to integrate the talents and technical offerings of both our Energy and Infrastructure teams in the projects we pursue and the innovative solutions we seek to provide for our clients. The majority of TWD’s technical team (whether it be electrical, mechanical, process or other) have a diverse background with a broad range of experiences. Looking for ways to unlock and collaboratively share those talents within our organization is a constant goal for Ryder. He strongly believes, that by unlocking the experience and potential within our teams across Canada and the U.S. we will deliver the best solutions for our clients.
Along with our co-founders, Ryder graduated from the University of Waterloo, although he focused on the more interesting and applicable discipline of Chemical Engineering (his words, and for some reason, not agreed to by Scott & Milt). Based in Calgary, Ryder enjoys getting out to Fernie BC as much as possible with his family to enjoy skiing, mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits.
I’ll defer to words from others as a few historical quotes have stayed with me and inspired me over time. One of which is from the “Man in the Arena” speech by Theodore Roosevelt that begins with “It is not the critic who counts…”; the full text is too long to include here, but worth looking up. Another, that I’ve always tried to embrace in my approach to life is from Goethe which for the sake of brevity I’ll shorten to the final few lines: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Secondment Lead and Western Canada Business Development
Secondment Lead and Western Canada Business Development
Elena is TWD’s Project Business Development and Secondment Lead for Western Canada. Elena has more than 8 years of engineering experience in Alberta and Ontario serving in a broad range of roles across different industries, including project management, operations and maintenance support, design, as well as large-scale infrastructure collaborations.
Elena has a wide range of client-focused experience in Turnaround Scope Development, Turnaround Execution Support, Asset Integrity, Risk Management and Project Management within multi-disciplinary consortiums. She recognizes the importance of listening to and understanding the needs of clients and working with stakeholders from a diverse range of professions and cultures. As a member of an enthusiastic and mutually supportive team of TWD colleagues, together they can fulfill the engineering needs of TWD clients.
Elena is a 2016 mechanical engineering graduate of Queen’s University and holds professional engineering certification in both Alberta and Ontario. She is an avid tennis player and skier, with a great love of the outdoors.
I love working at TWD. I am fortunate to be a member of a team that positively challenges meand pushes me to be the best I can be. When I work with you as a client, my goal is to ensure that you have that same level of confidence in our team. Whether working with me or one of my TWD colleagues, I know that we can get your job done.
Operations Growth Manager, Eastern Region
Operations Growth Manager, Eastern Region
Marian is the Operations Growth Manager for the Eastern Organization, with over 20 years of project management and engineering experience across diverse industries, managing multi-million-dollar capital projects.
Marian has built a solid and trusting relationship with TWDs top tier clients establishing herself as a leading figure in client stewardship initiatives. She has overseen the successful completion of multiple large-scale engineering, procurement and construction projects spanning across Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. She is dedicated to resolving client concerns ranging from project scope definition to fast-tracked project schedules and ensuring disciplined budget control. Her collaborative approach involves working closely with internal teams to navigate challenges effectively, and consistently meet client expectations.
In her latest role, Marian continues to build and maintain client relationships, while contributing significantly to the development and execution of TWDs regional growth plans as an integral member of the Eastern Leadership Team.
Marian is a graduate of Western University, having earned her degree in Chemical & Biochemical Engineering. She is a Professional Engineer of Ontario and has maintained her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation for nearly 20 years. And if you’re looking for a savvy “lefty” doubles partner to clinch victory in your next tennis tournament, look no further.
“Unless you have 100% customer satisfaction you must improve”
Business Development Coordinator
Business Development Coordinator
Kaila is TWD’s Western Business Development Coordinator responsible for crafting tailored proposals and cultivating long-lasting client relationships. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to client satisfaction, Kaila ensures that proposals not only showcase TWD’s capabilities but also resonate with the unique needs of clients.
Kaila’s mission is to continually enhance TWD's position in the market by identifying innovative opportunities, building and maintaining client relationships, leading proposal development, and supporting her team to provide high-quality and consistent output to clients. She is committed to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of TWD’s team and enjoys utilizing her problem-solving abilities to implement creative and effective solutions company-wide.
Kaila attended the Toronto Film School, Graphic Design program, and holds a Certificate in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy as well as a certificate in Specialized Sales, Merchandising, and Marketing Operations from BrainStationAcademy. She resides in Vancouver, BC where her and her polydactyl partner-in-crime (her cat Leo) spend their free time dabbling in their creative outlet of the week (ceramics and costume making, to name a few!), or remaining steadfast on their hunt for the best vegan cheese money can buy.
“Innovation is found where imagination meets the courage to find opportunity in a challenge.”
Business Development Coordinator
Business Development Coordinator
Becky is Business Development Coordinator at TWD acting as proposal lead with a sharp focus on crafting compelling and strategic proposals, as well as driving innovative marketing strategies. Her contributions amplify TWD's brand presence and support business growth initiatives through the seamless integration of marketing and business development activities.
Becky adds immeasurable value to our team, elevating our brand through her expertise, precision, and commitment to delivering proposals that not only win projects but also define the standard of excellence at TWD. Becky role is invaluable to clients as it serves as a crucial link between the client and TWD, facilitating effective communication, understanding client needs, and ensuring that the business development strategies align seamlessly with the client's goals, ultimately fostering a mutually beneficial and successful partnership.
Graduate of Ryerson University in Toronto, ON, Becky continues to live in the GTA with family and friends.
Business Development Manager and Civil Engineer
Business Development Manager and Civil Engineer
Athina is a valuable member of the Civil/Structural Engineering & Business Development team at TWD Hellas, the first European office of TWD. Athina is part of this dynamic team, which executes Civil and Structural projects that contribute to TWD's global initiatives. Additionally, Athina takes on a proactive role in Business Development for the Greek office, showcasing her versatile skill set. Athina is dedicated to ensuring the success and growth of TWD's endeavors, both locally and internationally.
As a member of the Civil/Structural Engineering & Business Development team, Athina combines technical expertise with a strategic mindset to address the unique challenges our clients face.
Athina seamlessly integrates her dual roles as a Civil Engineer and at Sales, demonstrating a client-focused strategy. Furthermore, Athina is also part of presenting project proposals that outline not only the technical aspects but also the tangible benefits and added value proposed solutions bring. This transparent and client-centric communication style ensures that clients not only understand the engineering intricacies but also perceive the direct impact on their daily routines.
Athina is a proud graduate of the Civil Engineering department at the University of Thessaly, Greece, where she earned her M.Eng. in 2019. With an educational background in Civil Engineering, she has successfully contributed to a range of projects at TWD.
Her professional journey began in a family business, where she learned the value of accountability in navigating the intricate realm of civil engineering while cultivating essential skills in sales. This initial experience laid the foundation for her multifaceted approach, blending the precision of engineering solutions with the strategic insights of sales.
When not immersed in civil / structural projects or business strategies, Athina finds solace in the art of ceramics. Athina approaches each endeavor with the same enthusiasm and dedication, creating a harmonious blend of engineering precision and artistic flair. If you ever need a tip on creating the perfect mug for your office, reach out! Your office coffee game is about to get an engineering boost!
“I believe that what truly sets us apart is not just our technical acumen, but the threads of empathy and ethics woven into our work. Empathy, to understand the unique challenges our clients face, and ethics, to ensure that our solutions stand on a foundation of integrity, are the keystones of lasting success. In the realm of structures and strategies, it's the human touch that makes the difference, and it's our commitment to empathy that allows us to build not only projects but meaningful connections.”
Director, Business Development
Director, Business Development
Nicole is the Director of Business Development at TWD responsible for driving the strategic growth and expansion of the organization through sales and marketing business development strategies, identification of new market opportunities, and cultivation of strategic partnerships to ensure cohesive and effective campaigns. Utilizing strategic vision and leadership, Nicole enhances TWD’s brand visibility, expands market share, as well nurtures client relationships ensuring alignment between business development objectives and TWD’s overarching goals.
Building and fostering relationships is key in cultivating strong ties with our clients, partners, and stakeholders. Her commitment to understanding client needs and delivering tailored solutions has been instrumental in maintaining long-term partnerships based on trust and value and ensuring client satisfaction. Nicole’s expertise not only identifies growth opportunities but also tailors solutions that align with clients' objectives, fostering long-term relationships built on innovation, trust, and sustained value creation.
Nicole is an experienced Business Development leader within the Energy and Infrastructure Industry, as well as a licensed Paralegal in Ontario. Nicole’s client-centric approach and collaborative style both with internal and external clients is woven within TWD’s core value of Together We Deliver.
Vice President, Project Execution
Vice President, Project Execution
Fred is our VP, Projects Execution, in our major project group with over 30 years of experience with project development, project management, engineering design and construction as well as facility operations and maintenance in a wide variety of industries and on projects up to $17 billion in value. Fred is adept at seeing projects from a client’s perspective and delivers value with a “best for project” mindset.
Fred provides professional support to our clients and to our team, with a particular focus on project development, project execution strategies, and risk management. As part of our senior leadership team, Fred is proudly involved in all aspects of managing TWD. This includes strategic growth, business development, operations (project management, engineering, procurement, construction management, quality, and HSSE) and management consulting.
Fred graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1989 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Fred is a Professional Engineer with Licenses in Ontario and Newfoundland. Fred spent the first 23 years of his career on the Owners side, before moving to the EPCM side. His background gives him a balanced view when developing projects. Just like the “Rock” he comes from, your project will be built on a solid foundation when working with Fred and his team!
"TWD’s culture is built on honesty, integrity, and positive relationships. We have the depth and breath of knowledge and experience to deliver quick, accurate results. We take project delivery, including construction, as serious business. Safety is inherent in everything we do, combined with our professional execution and construction management process and procedures drives cost effective field results!"
Celebrate innovation and unlock new possibilities with TWD.
We PERFORM™ at a Higher Level
PERFORM™ embodies our core philosophy at TWD. It's a project execution process, uniquely developed by us, aimed at ensuring the successful completion of projects, delivering optimal results to our clients. This comprehensive program aligns our core values, purpose, and brand promise with business procedures and execution guidelines. It's not only about improving efficiency but also nurturing TWD's workplace culture.
PERFORM™ actively involves our people, clients, and suppliers, driven by our belief in "Together We Deliver." We've invested in an in-house quality and safety management system known as PERFORM™
The PERFORM™ process includes the following key areas:
Develop
Focused on the evaluation and validation of project viability.
Execute
Delivery of projects from concept to reality in a safe, efficient, and timely manner.
Optimize
Delivering upgrades, de-bottlenecking, maintenance, and operating improvement projects to assist our clients with sustaining and improving business performance of existing assets and operations.