Edmonton, AB (May 20, 2026) – We are proud to celebrate a major milestone for Damian Gillis, our EVP, Commercial Business, marking 25 years as a commissioned Land Surveyor. Over the course of his career, he has helped shape major infrastructure and energy projects across Canada and internationally. Along the way, he has built a strong reputation for leadership, business development, and taking on complex challenges.
Discovering a Passion for Surveying
His journey into surveying began unexpectedly while completing a geography degree at the University of Victoria. An introductory survey course quickly sparked his interest and led to summer work with the BC Ministry of Highways in his hometown of Vanderhoof, BC.
“During my last semester of university, I realized I genuinely enjoyed surveying and wanted to pursue it as a career,” he recalls.
After researching the profession and speaking with experienced surveyors and business owners in Victoria, he decided to attend the geomatics program at the University of Calgary. Before beginning the program, he gained valuable hands-on experience working alongside land surveyor John Whittaker at a small firm, where he learned one-on-one every aspect of surveying from field work to drafting each project afterwards.
Building Experience in the Field
He began the geomatics program at the University of Calgary in 1994 and soon discovered a passion for large-scale industrial projects. During summers working with Focus Corporation in Alberta’s oil and gas sector, he was drawn to the pace, complexity, and scale of pipeline and infrastructure work.
One of his earliest major assignments involved surveying a fiber optics line stretching from the U.S. border at Coutts to the Calgary city limits, using RTK GPS technology that was still new at the time.
“That project really opened the door for me,” Damian says. “I’ve always been excited by major projects, I like the challenges they present, while at the same time enjoy being part of something that will be impactful on the industry and country”.
That success led to an international opportunity in Cuba in 1999, where he worked on quality control surveying for the construction of a power plant. The project highlighted the importance of quality assurance and safety procedures while also bringing a unique experience working abroad.
Achieving His Commission and Expanding His Leadership
He officially received his land surveyor commission in 2001 after completing his articles while progressing through increasingly senior roles including Party Chief, Plan Checker, and Project Manager.
As his career continued to grow, he recognized the value of strengthening his business and leadership skills alongside his technical expertise. He later completed an Executive MBA through the University of Calgary in 2006.
In 2010, he played a key role in preparing bids for two major pipeline projects as Focus Corporation expanded its service offerings. After successfully winning both projects, he was appointed Vice President of the Pipeline and Integrity group. Starting with just him, he grew the division to more than 300 staff and contractors and helped build it into $60 million annual revenue by 2014. Since then, he has continued to lead in several executive roles, including multiple terms overseeing Business Development and Commercial Operations.
Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence
As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we recognize not only 25 years of professional achievement, but also the leadership, mentorship, and dedication he has brought to the surveying industry and the teams he has worked alongside throughout his career. Congratulations on 25 years as a Professional Land Surveyor!
“Throughout my career and my personal life, I have always strived to do my best, learn new skills, enjoy what I am doing, and take on all challenges presented to me no matter how hard they may seem at first.”
