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Rocky Coco named 2021 ORBA president

Rocky Coco is the incoming president of the Ontario Roadbuilders’ Association and will serve as president for 2021. Rocky’s term was announced by ORBA CEO Bryan Hocking during the association’s 2021 Virtual Summit on February 4 and commented on OBRA’s strength during this pandemic.

“The gravity of this moment is embodied upon me every time I sat in the ORBA boardroom and look at the pictures of all the presidents who preceded me,” said Rocky. “I often told colleagues that ORBA members are world-class. Second to none. And I believe the resilience they have demonstrated through COVID has only reinforced that view.”

Rocky, also president of Coco Paving, will be the 94th president to serve on the association. He is taking over the role from outgoing President James McVeety. Rocky said he is honoured to serve as president for a roadbuilding association as resilient as Ontario’s.

“It has been almost a year since this terrible pandemic challenged our lives and ORBA members did not skip a beat. They did whatever was necessary to keep their employees safe. All the while continuing to deliver the services Ontarians depend upon. It is truly remarkable,” he said. “This virtual summit is a symbol of ORBA resilience.”

Rocky Coco, the new president of the Ontario Roadbuilders’ Association giving his remarks during ORBA’s 2021 virtual event.

Rocky said he is looking forward to working closely with government and ORBA membership to further the success of the Ontario road building industry.

“We stand here today based on all the hard work and dedication you provided to the association.”

A civil engineering graduate from the University of Windsor in 1987, he gained his license to practice as a Professional Engineer in 1991 and immediately took an active leadership role in the company in expanding the responsibilities in the Heavy Construction Division from asphalt paving to underground site servicing and concrete paving.

This expansion initiative resulted in a significant increase in sales volumes. Under Rocky’s management, Coco Paving Inc. has successfully tendered and completed all MTO projects since 2004 in southwestern Ontario on Highway 402 and Highway 401, encompassing over 50 kilometres of highway infrastructure.

Rocky’s knowledge has evolved from his summer work experiences in the family business where he managed crews and operated machinery to today, where he is sought after by heavy equipment manufacturers and suppliers including CAT, Gomaco, Erie Strayer and Astec, to assist in the evolution of their equipment to meet current day requirements and also assisted the MTO in the development of new OPSS specifications for concrete pavements.

Rocky has also been a president of the Heavy Construction Association of Windsor.