Describe your current job.
I am the project manager at Ruskin Construction. The project
I’m currently on involves the widening of the Paul Lake Bridge
at the Ekati Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories. The
work we’re doing includes the installation of new bin walls,
footings, girders and concrete deck.
What are your areas of responsibility?
My areas of responsibility include project management, contract
management, change management, project scheduling,
logistics and project planning.
How did you get to where you are now?
I started my career as a bridge carpenter working on projects
through British Columbia. I progressed, relatively quickly,
from a carpenter to site foreman, site superintendent, estimator
and now project manager. The last large-scale project
that I managed was the Iron Ore Loading Dock for Baffinland
Iron Mines in Milne Inlet on Baffin Island, which was substantially
completed in mid-2015. The project was a design-build,
and due to its extremely remote location, it presented many
technical and logistical challenges. Editor’s note: Read about
Ruskin’s work on the Iron Ore Loading Dock project in Q2 2015
of Piling Canada.
Other projects I have worked on include:
• Deh Cho, Makenzie River Bridge – Close Out (manager/
site supervisor, Ruskin)
• North West Stave, Run of the River Power House and
Weir (project manager, Camwood)
• Finning Maintenance Facility, Fort Mackay (project
manager, Camwood)
What do you love about your job?
My favourite aspect of my job is the fact that every day is different
with new challenges and tasks. I enjoy dealing with the
challenges brought by Arctic construction, from the planning
and logistics to the obstacles that come from the design and
constructability. This career has given me the opportunity to
work with professionals in all aspects of our industry, which
has been a fascinating and ongoing learning experience.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My days are always different. Largely, I work with Ruskin’s
engineering team to develop cost-efficient, construable
designs, and I work with our project planning team to ensure
the efficient execution of each job. I also work extensively
with clients and our in-house estimating department to
secure upcoming projects throughout Western Canada and
the Arctic. Client relations and contract management are
also huge components of what I do. Working with Ruskin, we
have a great professional team that keeps each day exciting.
NETWORKING CORNER
Meet a Piling Professional
DAN HOMENIUK, RUSKIN CONSTRUCTION
What are the challenges you experience in your job?
This industry lets you work with people from all walks of life
with varied background and experience. It’s an interesting
challenge to find the best way to work proactively together to
achieve the same goal.
What are your future goals?
I’m looking forward to continuing my growth within the
construction industry. I love to build interesting and challenging
structures, so I will continue to pursue projects that
keep me engaged, while continuously advancing my skills
and education.
What are your predictions for the future of deep
foundation construction in Canada?
For myself, with the Canadian Arctic opening up to mining,
and public sectors expanding in these regions, I hope to be constructing
in this beautiful and remote area for years to come.
FAST FACTS
First job: Commercial fisherman
Childhood ambition: Own my own commercial fishing boat
Favourite food: Any Mexican food
Last book you read: Misbehaving – The Making of
Behavioral Economics by Richard H. Thaler
Dog person or cat person: Dog, for sure – pit bull terrier
How you spend your time away from work: Rugby,
motorbikes, wake-surfing, mountain sledding
and spending time with my girlfriend
Apple or Android: Either
Best advice you’ve ever received: This was given to me by
one of my first bosses in construction: “Never stop learning
and never dismiss someone’s ideas, no matter their position.”
CONNECT
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danny-homeniuk-8600306b
Company website: www.ruskinconstruction.com
PILING CANADA 79
/danny-homeniuk-8600306b
/www.ruskinconstruction.com
/danny-homeniuk-8600306b
/www.ruskinconstruction.com
