Skip to main content

Gord Johnston to head Canadian engineering consultancy Stantec

Global design and civil engineering consultancy Stantec has appointed Gord Johnston as its next chief executive and president from January 1, 2018.Johnston, who is executive vice president of Stantec’s infrastructure business operating unit, takes over from Bob Gomes, who retires.
July 21, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Stantec’s Gord Johnston: looking for a bigger global presence

Global design and civil engineering consultancy Stantec has appointed Gord Johnston as its next chief executive and president from January 1, 2018.

Johnston, who is executive vice president of 5346 Stantec’s infrastructure business operating unit, takes over from Bob Gomes, who retires.

The acquisitive Canadian company, based in Edmonton, completed nearly 50 acquisitions during the past eight years. Many have been in the US where it receives around half its revenue.

Johnston, with the company more than 20 years, has been active in the firm’s acquisition sourcing and integration efforts, particularly with the 2016 purchase of MWH Global, Stantec’s largest acquisition to date. He highlighted Stantec’s expansion plans in a %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 2 30661 0 oLinkExternal World Highways feature Stantec Infrastructure Weblink false /sections/general/features/stantec-coming-to-an-infrastructure-site-near-you/ false false%> in March this year.

Johnston has also served on Stantec’s disclosure committee, the integrity management team as well as the executive health, safety, security and environment committee. He has served on the board of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies in Canada. Johnston earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Alberta before completing the Harvard Business School's Leading Professional Services Firms programme.

Additionally, he is a credited Envision Sustainability Professional through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, based in Washington, DC.

Gomes held several leadership positions before being appointed president and chief executive in 2009. He has overseen successful expansion into multiple global markets, including Europe, India, New Zealand, Australia, South America and the Middle East. Gross revenue has risen nearly 230% during his tenure, from $1.5 billion to $4.8 billion so far this year.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • CIFA’s ambitions fuelled by R&D gains
    April 18, 2013
    CIFA managing director Davide Cipolla said the Zoomlion-owned firm has “not reached the limit” of what it can offer customers, thanks to a significant investment in research and development. Cipolla, who is also research and development director of the Zoomlion Group's concrete division, commented on a €2million-a-year R&D investment for CIFA and some Zoomlion products over the last five years saying, “This is the first stage of [product] development.” At bauma 2013, CIFA is introducing an innovative hybrid
  • GCS Flex system is important introduction for Trimble
    January 6, 2017
    Roz Buick, vice president Heavy Civil Construction at Trimble, has highlighted some key technology introductions from the firm. The GCS Flex system is an important introduction for Trimble and Buick explained, “The idea is to install a less complex system. We want to attract customers from the smaller contractors.” Comparatively low cost for a machine-control system, the basic GCS Flex package offers entry-level 2D technology and it can be upgraded to what Buick calls a ‘2½D’ system.
  • GCS Flex system is important introduction for Trimble
    April 17, 2013
    Roz Buick, vice president Heavy Civil Construction at Trimble, has highlighted some key technology introductions from the firm. The GCS Flex system is an important introduction for Trimble and Buick explained, “The idea is to install a less complex system. We want to attract customers from the smaller contractors.” Comparatively low cost for a machine-control system, the basic GCS Flex package offers entry-level 2D technology and it can be upgraded to what Buick calls a ‘2½D’ system.
  • ContiTech’s new technology for fabric conveyor belts reduces weight and spares resources
    April 18, 2013
    The ContiTech Conveyor Belt Group claims it has taken a major step towards sustainable technology with the launch of the Conti lightweight, which can reduce the weight of fabric conveyor belts by up to 30%. “The lower weight significantly reduces the amount of drive energy needed,” explained Frank Kantorek, from the company’s business development section. “This means Conti lightweight technology makes a major contribution to the conservation of resources and protection of the environment,” he added.