Demetrios Kontzamanis

Born and raised on the island of Chios, Greece, Demetrios Kontzamanis moved to North America at 18 to pursue engineering studies, eventually settling in Winnipeg, where he earned his Civil Engineering degree and Diploma in Engineering from the University of Manitoba.

From 1967 to 1986, he worked as a consulting civil (structural) engineer on major hydroelectric developments, including Manitoba Hydro’s Long Spruce and Limestone Generating Stations. As Civil Department Head, he played a pivotal role in shaping the 250 MW Nipawin Hydroelectric Project for Saskatchewan Power Corporation, creating an innovative approach to accommodate the site’s challenging shale foundation. Over his career, he became widely respected for his expertise in hydraulic gate design, contributing to projects across Canada, the U.S. and internationally.

In 1986, Demetrios co‑founded KGS Group with Helmut, Bert and Dave – an effort driven by his long‑held vision for an engineering firm built on technical excellence and client trust. As President, he was the primary force behind the company’s direction, culture and steady growth, guiding KGS from a small startup to a leading consulting engineering firm. He led the organization until his retirement in 2017 and remains proud of its continued success and evolution into Manitoba’s largest consulting engineering office.