Laying the Groundwork

Welcome to Laying the Groundwork! In this episode, host Francis Brazeau sits down with Lee Timmins, our Manager of Technology, Landfills and Regulatory Affairs, and internal compressed natural gas expert, along with veteran CNG driver Danny Gagne to discuss a major environmental milestone: putting Canada’s first CNG Ready Mix trucks on the road. From breaking down what compressed natural gas is to...

Welcome to Laying the Groundwork - the newly rebranded Tomlinson podcast. In this inaugural episode, host Francis Brazeau sits down with two of Tomlinson’s longest-serving team members: Dennis Colautti and Andre (Andy) Michaud. With nearly 100years of combined experience, they share candid stories and hard-earned wisdom on mentoring the next generation in construction. From family legacies and old...

Red Army Radio has been the place where Tomlinson stories found their voice – a space built on pride, people, and the projects shaping our communities. Now, that legacy is evolving. Red Army Radio is getting a full rebrand. We’re taking everything you already love about the show and moving it into a bigger, bolder direction -one designed to take listeners deeper into the real-world processes that...

Welcome to Red Army Radio — the official Tomlinson Group podcast celebrating the people, projects, and progress driving our business forward. In this  year-in-review episode , host  Francis Brazeau  is joined by  Adam Hendriks, Ryan Downing, and Ron Tomlinson  to break down the biggest wins, toughest challenges, and most surprising moments in the past year. Toget...

Welcome to Red Army Radio! Today, Francis sits down with Rob Pierce and Rory Hughes from Tomlinson’s Marine Shipping and Logistics team. In this episode, we explore the massive world of shipping, dock development, and marine logistics from Ontario Trap Rock’s quarry operations in Bruce Mines to the evolving Universal Terminals site in Morrisburg.  Rory shares how the team is transforming the...

Welcome to Red Army Radio!   Today, Francis sits down with Project Manager Chadwick Haines and Superintendent Robin Malyon to talk about life on one of their larger projects — the reconstruction of Bank Street from Riverside to Heron.  In this episode, we get into what it’s really like managing an integrated road, sewer, and utility project in the heart of the city — where every day...

Welcome to Red Army Radio! Today, Francis sits down with Andrew Karam, Kaylish Henry, and Matthew Young-Davies from Tomlinson’s engineering team. In this episode, we dive into the world of temporary and permanent structures, the challenges of shoring and piling, and what it’s really like to be the in-house engineers behind some of Tomlinson’s most complex projects.  Andrew shares how the team...

Welcome to Red Army Radio! Today, Francis sits down with Derek Thomas our Aggregates Sales Manager and Kevin Bowes, Scale Operator, who’s been part of the Tomlinson team for nearly three decades. In this episode, we explore how automation is transforming customer service, the logistics of getting products from quarry to job site, and the teamwork that keeps our projects running smoothly.  Der...

Welcome to Red Army Radio! In this episode, Rob Pierce hosts a special roundtable conversation with senior leaders across the Tomlinson Group to reflect on the first half of 2025. Joined by Adam Hendriks, Graziela Girardi, Francis Brazeau, and Ron Tomlinson, the group covers strategy, technology, market conditions, and what’s ahead for the Red Army.  From AI and automation to project wins and...

Welcome to Red Army Radio! Today, Francis sits down with our AI Program Manager at Tomlinson. In this episode, the conversation takes a deep dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in construction and how Tomlinson is leading the charge. He shares his unconventional journey into tech, the company’s early adoption of AI, and how it's transforming workflows across the business. From t...

Welcome to Red Army Radio! Today, Francis sits down with Joe Skrepnek and Stephane Dallaire, construction managers at Tomlinson. In this episode, the group dives into what it means to be a construction manager, exploring daily responsibilities, key aspects of the role, memorable moments, and much more. Joe and Stephane discuss essential skills for their role, their journey to becoming construction...

This week on Red Army Radio, Francis sits down with Brock Tipping and Jad Ziadat, summer students from Carleton University working in construction coordination at Tomlinson. They discuss their backgrounds, including Brock’s transition from landscaping and Jad’s initial experience with shoring and piling.  Brock and Jad share insights on the importance of on-site experience and the problem-sol...

This week on Red Army Radio, Francis sits down with Scott Allen and Cody Stephens from our network and security team to dive deep into the world of cyber security. Our guests share their backgrounds and what inspired them to pursue careers in this critical field. Leveraging their extensive experience, Scott and Cody provide valuable insights into  ransomware, the myriad ways hackers can infil...

Welcome to a special edition of Red Army Radio! Usually, we bring you educational content and spotlight our amazing team members, but today we've got some exciting news that you won't want to miss! Stick around until the end for some awesome giveaway info!

This week on Red Army Radio, Francis sits down with Becky Gilmer and John Dwyer from our Industrial Waste team for an in-depth look at the essential work they do. Becky and John share their experiences and shed light on the operations of an industrial waste facility. They explain the types of materials they handle, how they treat hazardous waste, and the importance of proper disposal. You'll hear...

This week on Red Army Radio, Francis sits down with Ryan Andre, Quality Control Manager at Tomlinson Ready Mix, to explore the world of concrete. Drawing from his 18 years of experience with the Tomlinson team, Ryan shares his journey in the industry, from his beginnings as a Quality Control Manager to the influence of his family on his passion for concrete.  Throughout their conversation, Fr...

This week on Red Army Radio, Francis sits down with Superintendent Nicolas Simoneau and Operations Manager Kent MacCaskill to explore the journey of building a successful career within the construction field at Tomlinson. Drawing from their combined decades of experience, Nicolas and Kent share their personal stories, from their first roles as operator and laborer to their current leadership posit...

Welcome to the third episode of 'In the Hot Seat'! Join us as we introduce two members from our Kingston shop: apprentice mechanic Mara Heitman and lead hand mechanic Carl Bowes. Discover how Mara ended up joining our team as she shares candid insights from her time with Tomlinson and learn about Carl’s role as a lead hand mechanic. In this exciting episode, Mara and Carl discuss th...

Join us for a special episode of Red Army Radio in celebration of Women in Construction Week! Our special host, Megan Tomlinson, welcomes Graziela Girardi, Vice President of Tomlinson Infrastructure. Starting her journey in Brazil, Graziela shares insights into the differences in building practices, unique experiences on job sites, and her remarkable rise through various roles. Tune in to hear abo...

Welcome to the second episode of "In the Hot Seat"! Join us as we introduce two members of the Tomlinson Infrastructure (TI) project management team: Junior Estimator Honglin Li and General Manager Joel McIntyre. From 10 months to 20 years, discover the career journeys that led them to where they are today. In this sizzling episode, Honglin and Joel share insights into their roles, the challenges...

Join host Francis Brazeau as he welcomes the long-awaited guest, Chris Kollar, a true icon and veteran of the Tomlinson Group. With a career spanning nearly four decades (split into two separate stints), Chris shares his remarkable journey from painting crushers as a teenager to his current multifaceted role. This episode dives deep into the history of Tomlinson, offering a unique perspective on i...

This week, we're turning up the heat, both literally and figuratively, on "In the Hot Seat"! Join us as we welcome Tomlinson Environmental Services (TES) team members Phil Simser, a seasoned Truck Foreman, and Connor Pederson, a dynamic Front-end Truck Driver. In this engaging episode, we explore the diverse career journeys within TES's trucking division, contrasting the experiences of a long-term...

In this episode of Red Army Radio, host Francis Brazeau delves into the crucial topic of CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration) compliance with two key members of the Tomlinson team: Mathew Lavallee, Tomlinson's CVOR/Fleet Compliance Advisor, and Rod Oattes, a 26-year veteran in the trucking division and recent recipient of the Eastern Ontario Driver of the Year award for 2024. Together...

Welcome to a very special episode of Red Army Radio featuring a Fireside Chat with senior leadership team members: Dana Lewis, Vice President of Human Resources; Adam Hendriks, Vice President for Strategic Implementation and Development; and CEO Ron Tomlinson. This episode offers an intimate look back at the past year, celebrating successes, acknowledging challenges, and exploring the exciting fut...

In this episode of Red Army Radio, host Francis Brazeau sits down with Megan Leahy and Dany Poulin to discuss mental health awareness, particularly during Mental Health Month in November. Megan and Dany share their perspectives on the importance of open communication and support within the workplace, emphasizing the need to destigmatize mental health challenges. They discuss practical strategies f...