Interview with Bob Olyaei, Project Controller at DAWCO
Yasmine: Hi Bob, it's great to talk to you today. To start with, can you tell us about your role at DAWCO?
Bob: Hi Yasmine, thanks for having me, I'm happy to be here. Sure, I'm a project controller at DAWCO and I generally work on various projects with Shell. I supervise, coordinate, and control projects during their execution. Since joining DAWCO, I've also been involved in the Best and Meltech projects.
Yasmine: That's interesting, Bob. Can you tell us a little about your professional background before joining DAWCO?
Bob: Sure, I'm happy to share my background. I started my career as a mechanical engineer, then moved to Canada, where I pursued and successfully completed my master's degree in mechanical engineering at Concordia University. After graduating in 2016, I gained experience working at CNRL Horizon in Fort McMurray. Later, I joined Gastier, where my role evolved to become a project controller/project manager, primarily focused on managing projects for TCErgy. Subsequently, I joined the DAWCO team.
Yasmine: Nice journey, Bob. What excites you most about DAWCO?
Bob: What excites me most about DAWCO is the company's reputation in the industry. The name “DAWCO” carries significant weight. DAWCO is considered one of the leading companies in our field. Customers often choose DAWCO first, which shows the trust they have in the company and its teams. This recognition fuels my professional pride and motivates me to maintain the high standards DAWCO is known for. It's really inspiring to be part of a team that consistently delivers excellence.
Yasmine: Thank you for that wonderful testimonial. DAWCO does indeed enjoy an excellent reputation in the construction industry. We recently learned that you obtained your Canadian citizenship. Congratulations on this achievement! How are you experiencing this new stage in your life?
Bob: Thank you, it's incredible! Obtaining my Canadian citizenship is a major milestone for me, and I am really proud of this achievement. My journey spanned a decade, starting as an international student and ending as a Canadian citizen. The sense of pride and belonging that comes with this new status is truly rewarding, and I am excited to continue contributing to Canada's diverse community.
Yasmine: That's great, Bob! How do you manage to balance your professional life at DAWCO with your personal/family life?
Bob: It's a challenge, but I try to maintain a balance by being well organized and managing my time effectively. I plan my workdays so that I can be productive during office hours, which allows me to devote quality time to my personal life after work. Spending quality time with my family is essential to me. That's why we frequently get together with my two sisters and friends and share family activities. It's sometimes difficult, but this balance is crucial to my well-being and performance at work.
Yasmine: Certainly, managing this work-life balance can be a real challenge. It seems that you have a well-structured approach to achieving it. And finally, can you tell us a funny or memorable anecdote/situation that happened to you at DAWCO?
Bob: Of course! There was a funny moment when I was working on the BEST project. In 2022, just before the construction holidays, I had a very tight deadline to submit some documents for our progress on this project. That day, I was trying to get some information from Martin-Frédéric Huard, and since I was always very busy, I tried to arrive early at the construction site to ask him for the details I needed. He informed me that the project had been suspended, and I thought he was joking. In the end, I got the information, but it was four hours later that I realized the project had indeed been suspended. Fred laughed at me because I hadn't believed him.
Yasmine: Haha, that must have been a memorable day for both you and Fred! Anyway, did you take the “show your colors” training course? If so, what colors characterize your personality?
Bob: Yes, I took the “declare your colors” training course. I am 100% green, and I am a supporter.
Yasmine: That's great! Thank you for this wonderful meeting and thank you for sharing your story and experiences with us, Bob. It was really enjoyable and enriching to talk with you! I wish you every success in your future endeavors.
