Waterloo contractor Don Gosen, president of Gosen Electric Ltd. and the current chair of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), is being inducted into the Grand Valley Construction Association’s (GVCA) Hall of Fame.
He was nominated unanimously by the board of the association, which lauded Gosen, a former chair, as a tireless supporter, advocate and promoter of the industry.
“Don has worked really hard for the greater good of the overall industry,” said GVCA president Martha George.
“He has worked to make the industry a better place.”
COCA president Ian Cunningham concurred.
“We are thrilled here at COCA to learn that Don has been inducted into the Hall of Fame,” he said. “I can’t think of anyone more worthy to receive this recognition. He has made huge contributions at both COCA and the GVCA.”
The Hall of Fame was established by the GVCA in 2006 to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to both the betterment of the industry and the local community.
Gosen, who joined the GVCA board in 1999 and served as chair in 2007/2008, said he was taken by surprise when informed of his impending induction.
“I never imagined my name would be put forward,” he said. “I remember when this (induction) process started. I have immense respect for those individuals who were previously recognized.”
Last year, industry veteran Jack Ball, a former president of Ball Brothers Ltd. of Kitchener, Ont., was inducted.
A graduate of Conestoga College’s engineering technologist program, Gosen joined Gosen Electric in 1977 after his father became ill and was no longer able to run the company which he had founded in 1956.
“I came back to close up the company,” he recalled. “The word is that I’m not very good at closing things up.” In 1978, Gosen became president of the company, which is active in the industrial, institutional, commercial and residential sectors.
In addition to serving at COCA and the GVCA, Gosen has also acted as president of the Ontario Electrical League and vice-chair of the Electrical Contractors Registration Agency.
Late last year, he was appointed to the board of governors of the Ontario College of Trades.
He has also served as a member of the Waterloo Region District School Board’s Fast Forward program, which gives students the opportunity to obtain experience in the workplace before leaving high school.
Gosen plans to retire in mid-October, turning over the running of Gosen Electric to a new generation. The objective is to ensure the long-term health and success of the company “while operating to the benefit of our customers, staff, suppliers and the community,” he said.
The changing of the guard at Gosen Electric will free up more time for Gosen’s responsibilities at COCA and elsewhere. Gosen is committed to serving a third year as chair of COCA, which is slated to hold its annual general meeting next month.
“I really like the idea that I will still be involved in the industry,” he said. “I like working with Ian (Cunningham) and Sue (Ramsay) and enjoy our involvement at Queen’s Park. While that (dealing with the provincial government) can be frustrating and challenging at times, I feel we are accomplishing things on behalf of the industry.”
Gosen will be formally inducted into the GVCA Hall of Fame Feb. 18 at an association event in Kitchener.
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