February 13, 2025 (VICTORIA, BC) – The Construction Foundation (CFBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Byron Conroy, owner of Yeti Refrigeration; Randy Callaghan, formerly of PCL Construction; and Ruairi Spillane, Founder and CEO of Outpost Recruitment.
These accomplished leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared passion for advancing skilled trades education and workforce development across British Columbia. Their appointments underscore CFBC’s ongoing commitment to fostering retention, progression and completion in the skilled trades.
In addition, CFBC is proud to announce the election of new executive board positions. Clark Campbell of Smith Bros. & Wilson has been elected Chair, Katie Shaw of Earnscliffe Strategies has been elected Vice Chair, Tamara Pongracz of BCIT has been elected in as Secretary/Treasurer and Willy Manson of Stinger Welding has been elected Past Chair.
“We are thrilled to welcome Byron, Randy, and Ruairi to our Board of Directors,” shared Abigail Fulton, executive director of CFBC. “Their diverse perspectives and deep expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand our programs, strengthen partnerships, and create opportunities for individuals and communities across BC to thrive in skilled trades careers. In addition, to have Clark, Katie, and Tamara step into leadership roles will help us to continue to work toward continual growth and success.”
Byron Conroy is owner of Yeti Refrigeration and brings extensive experience in the refrigeration and HVAC industry, with a strong focus on innovation and operational excellence. Byron launched Yeti Refrigeration in the summer of 2016 when he identified an opportunity to support northern communities with locally based service. Byron is a leader in his community and is dedicated to helping guide the next generation of skilled trade workers.
Randy Callaghan is a Red Seal Endorsed Carpenter (RSE) and held the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. Over the last few decades, he has been instrumental in helping to introduce youth and under-represented members of the workforce to the career possibilities available in the construction sector. Now, after a successful career in the construction industry, Randy is ready to share his decades of experience in large-scale construction projects and leadership to support and guide the next generation of industry leaders.
Ruairi Spillane relocated to Canada from Ireland in 2008 when he was recruited to work for a financial services firm in Vancouver. Upon arrival, Ruairi quickly adapted to the Canadian workplace and realized that many newcomers struggled to differentiate themselves and communicate their value to employers. Having observed the powerful impact of international migrants within multicultural Canada, he set up Moving2Canada.com as an information platform to empower newcomers. At the same time, Outpost Recruitment was established to play matchmaker between both local and global construction talent and Canadian construction companies in the buildings and infrastructure sectors.
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About the Construction Foundation of British Columbia
The Construction Foundation of British Columbia is a registered charity dedicated to advancing education, training, and innovation in the skilled trades. Through impactful programs and partnerships, CFBC helps youth, newcomers, and communities thrive while addressing BC’s skilled labor shortages.
For more information on the work being done by the Construction Foundation of BC and to donate, please visit cfbc.ca.
For more information, contact:
Colleen McConnell
Director of Communications
250-220-5861
