News Appointments
Ledcor appoints new head of Building Construction Division

Vancouver, B.C. – Russell Zirnhelt has been appointed executive vice-president of construction and leader of Ledcor’s Canadian Building Construction Division. Peter Hrdlitschka, long-time president of the Construction Division, will begin his retirement while continuing to support the division as Ledcor Construction’s senior advisor.

“Ledcor’s building construction business continues to grow outside our traditional western Canadian markets. We are growing in Manitoba and Ontario, especially in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. We are tackling more complex projects, such as building hospitals and large multi-phase mixed-used real estate developments,” said Tom Lassu, president of Ledcor Industries Inc. “Russell is a strong advocate for innovation, sustainability, new technologies, and inclusion and diversity initiatives. His insight and forward-thinking approach will help us continually enhance and expand our market leadership with safety, quality, and efficiency always at the forefront.”

Zirnhelt joined Ledcor in 2010, and most recently served as chief business officer for Ledcor Building Construction. Previously, Zirnhelt was Ledcor’s chief operating officer of Infrastructure Development.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead Ledcor’s building Construction Division and continue building Lifetime Clients as a market leader in safety, quality, and innovation,” said Zirnhelt. “We have the best people in the market working on complex, industry-leading projects for many brand-name clients. The opportunities for value enhancements are immense.”

Zirnhelt has a Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the University of Victoria and a Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University.

“I am pleased to congratulate Peter Hrdlitschka on his remarkable 29-year career with Ledcor and thank him for his significant contributions in growing the Building Construction division. Peter’s division handled the construction of some of western Canada most familiar building landmarks, safely and dependably.  Through his career he has mentored hundreds of construction professionals across Canada in offices and on construction sites,” said Dave Lede, Chair and CEO of Ledcor.  “Peter was also an exemplary community leader and contributed to many charitable causes, the Korol Cup hockey tournament and Kids Help Phone to name a few.”

Peter Hrdlitschka’s team constructed these well-known structures:

• British Columbia: The Teck Acute Care Centre (BC Children’s Hospital), Van Dusen Gardens, YVR A-B Connector, Harbour Green 1, 2 & 3, Marine Gateway, MNP Tower
• Alberta: The Bow Tower, EPCOR Tower, Enbridge Place Tower, Royal Alberta Museum, Art Gallery of Alberta
• Saskatchewan: Nutrien Tower, Hill Tower, Dakota Dunes Resort
• Ontario: Pan Am Games Athletes Village, Oshawa Center Expansion, Air Canada Hangar
• Bahamas: Linden Pindling International Airport

“Working for Ledcor for almost 30 years has been the defining achievement of my professional career,” said Hrdlitschska. “Leading the building construction division has been an unforgettable experience, working with many wonderful people, building amazing structures and helping develop our communities along the way. I very proud of what we accomplished together and forward to continuing to mentor, coach and advise the group for the foreseeable future.”