This year marks an incredible milestone for KGS Group. Forty years ago, in the summer of 1986, four engineers – Demetrios Kontzamanis, Helmut Graumann, J. Bert Smith and Dave MacMillan – took a leap of faith to create an engineering firm like no other. While many questioned the move, our Founders were driven by a singular, shared conviction: that excellence is custom-made, and custom-made is personal. 

What began as a team of four in a small downtown Winnipeg office has grown into a multidisciplinary firm with nine offices across Canada and the U.S. Today, more than 700 engineers, scientists, technologists and support staff bring our founders’ vision to life every day, applying their expertise to complex challenges in communities across North America and beyond. 

Over the past 40 years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside clients in nearly every market, completing thousands of projects shaped by collaboration and a commitment to doing things the right way. Whether supporting hydropower, infrastructure, environmental, industrial or building projects, our focus has always been on delivering quality solutions and building lasting relationships along the way. As we move into our next chapter, that same mindset will continue to guide us. 

Watch our story below. 

We are proud to announce that Kevin McNichol has been appointed the Transportation Department Head of our Saskatchewan team.

Kevin has over 16 years of transportation engineering experience for the public and private sectors, with a focus on construction administration for transportation infrastructure projects. His work has primarily involved highway construction, where he has gained extensive experience in contract management, construction delivery and project management.

In this role, Kevin will oversee the growth and development of the transportation team, while helping expand their planning, design, construction and lab services.

Recently, Kevin has been involved in expanding construction administration services through the Tell Properties Multilane Roundabout project, the City of Regina’s Assiniboine Avenue On-Ramp project and the R.M. of Estevan’s Shand Road Rehabilitation project.

He also currently serves on the ACEC-SK Transportation Committee and the Tri-Party Steering Committee with the Ministry of Highways and the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association. He also recently served on the APEGS Licensee Admissions Committee and plans to continue volunteering with APEGS through other groups and committees.

We are thrilled to announce that Abraham Barrios has recently joined KGS Group as the Municipal Market Lead in our Mississauga office.

With over 25 years of experience, he is passionate about designing, managing and delivering land development and infrastructure projects for a wide variety of clients. He is a great addition to our Mississauga team, with deep experience managing projects, leading multidisciplinary teams and providing strategic support for business planning and development.

Abraham has a strong background in municipal engineering, water resources engineering, public infrastructure and land development. He specializes in turning complex technical challenges into practical, innovative solutions that support long-term growth. Committed to shaping Ontario’s future, Abraham works closely with partners and clients to address key issues like urban growth, water security and the shift to a low-carbon economy.

We are excited to see the impact Abraham will have at KGS!

We are pleased to announce that Melissa Haresign is the new Department Head of our Winnipeg Water Resources Department.

Since starting at KGS in 2012, Melissa has excelled in various aspects of water resources engineering, particularly in hydro and dam projects. Some notable examples of her work include leading hydraulic analyses for several hydroelectric studies, conducting dam safety reviews and preparing emergency preparedness and response documents for various dam owners. 

In addition to her technical expertise, Melissa is dedicated to mentoring and guiding our junior staff members, all of whom can attest to her knowledge, expertise and leadership abilities, especially during her time as Assistant Department Head.

Melissa’s commitment to her work represents KGS Group’s core values, which has earned her the respect of her colleagues and clients. We can’t wait to see what the Water Resources Department can achieve under her guidance as they continue to work on new and exciting projects.

We are excited to share that Peter Hassan has joined KGS Group as the Regional Manager of our Mississauga office.

Peter has taken over the role of Regional Manager from Stefan Kohnen, who will continue his role across the organization as Principal for Hydro Asset Management.

With over 35 years of hydropower engineering experience, he has a strong foundation in civil-geotechnical engineering and specializes in the assessment and performance monitoring of dams. In addition to his technical expertise, Peter has contributed to major hydroelectric rehabilitation and new construction projects, applying his deep knowledge of structural integrity and risk management.

As a senior leader, Peter has managed multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering services across broad geographic regions. He has led operational support efforts, overseen work on major projects and  participated in safety assessments of hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear waste facilities.

A self-proclaimed lifelong learner, Peter has invaluable insights into how communication, commitment and accountability can foster great client relationships.

We want to offer a heartfelt thank you to Stefan for his many years of dedicated service as Regional Manager and congratulate and welcome Peter to KGS Group!

The Keeyask Generation Station project, led by Hatch with support from KGS Group and AtkinsRealis, recently won an Award of Excellence at the 2025 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards. This is the country’s highest national mark of recognition in engineering!

This project was a transformative collaboration between Manitoba Hydro and four First Nations—Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation and Fox Lake Cree Nation. We are proud to have been part of this project and help deliver groundbreaking results.

Together, we have delivered a hydroelectric facility that generates 695 MW of clean energy, meeting critical community needs and supporting Manitoba’s growing energy demands. Located within the ancestral homelands of the partner First Nations, Keeyask is now Manitoba’s fourth-largest generating station, producing an estimated 4,400 GWh annually.

Learn more about the project here: CCE Awards

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and KGS Group have established Ganawendan Aki Environmental Limited Partnership, a new environmental services firm built on cultural integrity and technical excellence.

Ganawendan Aki was created to ensure projects within WLON territory are guided by Anishinaabe values and deep respect for the land. By combining WLON’s cultural leadership with KGS Group’s technical expertise, the firm offers a unique approach to environmental consulting.

“Ganawendan Aki is more than a business,” said Annie Dietrich, President of Ganawendan Aki. “We’re building a future where Indigenous knowledge leads the way in environmental decision-making, supported by rigorous science and engineering.”

“Our Nation’s role as guardian of the land is sacred,” said Chief Clayton Wetelainen of WLON. “Ganawendan Aki will help ensure we are not just involved in projects happening on the land but are steering them in the right direction, in a way that protects Anishinaabe value and contributes to the growth and sovereignty of our Nation.”

The company is rooted in a shared commitment to honour and protect the land through environmental services that are both scientifically sound and culturally informed, including:

• Baseline environmental data collection
• Site assessments
• Environmental and cultural monitoring
• Remediation
• Community engagement

“This partnership is a meaningful step in our reconciliation journey and gives us a chance to contribute to impactful work alongside Wabigoon,” said Jason Mann, Principal at KGS Group and Board Member of Ganawendan Aki. “We look forward to the positive impact Ganawendan Aki will have on the environment and the future of our industry.”

For more information, visit: www.GanawendanAki.com

We are thrilled to announce a key leadership change within our Transportation Department, reflecting our continued growth.

Nathan Ruecker is now the Market Director (East) for our transportation group. The role focuses primarily on Manitoba and Ontario, where Nathan will continue to help grow our already strong name and reputation in transportation. 

Nathan has consistently demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and a deep commitment to team development and operational excellence. He has already proven his capabilities as Department Head for our Saskatchewan transportation group, effectively managing operations and driving continued success. 

With more than 20 years of experience delivering transportation infrastructure projects, his focus has been on design and construction projects, with an emphasis on the provision of quality lab services.

We are excited for the continued growth and success of our transportation team and welcome Nathan to have a broader market focus for the group.

Congratulations to Bruce Belmore for being awarded the 2025 Nelson J. Shaffer Distinguished Consultant Award from ITE—A Community of Transportation Professionals.

He earned this award because of his significant contributions to the transportation consulting profession through his leadership and innovation.

Bruce has held leadership roles at every level of the ITE organization, including Saskatchewan Section President, Canadian District President and ITE International President in 2019, becoming only the fourth Canadian to hold that office. His contributions on ITE’s most strategic committees—including the Leadership ITE Committee, Legacy Fund Committee and Transportation Planning Advisory Group—have advanced the organization’s mission and inclusivity across practice areas.

You can learn more about Bruce and his work here.