Leadership

After graduating with a Civil Engineering Diploma from Okanagan College, Gary Veldman moved to the Lower Mainland and began his career with SWC in 1993. Over the past three decades, he has worked across every division of the company — Civil, Shoring, and Excavation.

In his early years, Gary honed his technical skills and leadership abilities on projects like the Grandview Cut-Shoring as Site Coordinator, before moving into Project Management and Estimating.

Known for his ability to visualize projects in three dimensions, he has been a driving force behind many of SWC’s most complex undertakings. He became Partner at SWC in 2014, further solidifying his dedication to the company. Gary has contributed to a wide range of projects, including UniverCity at SFU, environmental rehabilitation initiatives, site preparation projects, and residential developments.

He strongly identifies with SWC’s core value of Serve, demonstrating his commitment to excellence, teamwork, and delivering high-quality results. With decades of experience and a passion for construction, Gary continues to play a key role in SWC’s growth and success.

Years of playing and coaching rugby at a competitive level in New Zealand and Canada have instilled in Will Pauga a natural sense of teamwork and leadership. Add to that a strong background in drilling and tunnel boring, and it’s natural that Will would find himself in a leadership role at Southwest Contracting.

“I started playing rugby when I was five. It’s a big part of life in Samoa, where I was born, and in New Zealand, where I grew up. The lessons I have learned as a player and coach, I have applied to running a business. A successful business is managed like a strong team. Hard work and planning will result in a win.

From his North Vancouver roots to a career spanning Canada and the U.S., Jason’s journey in construction has evolved over three decades. Beginning with residential homebuilding, he advanced to managing large construction crews on institutional and commercial projects before transitioning into project management.

After earning his degree in Michigan, Jason returned to Vancouver just in time for the 2010 Olympics, where he played a key role in managing the excavation and shoring for the Olympic Village project. He joined SWC in the fall of 2012, overseeing the Excavation, Landfill, and Infrastructure Divisions.

His leadership and expertise propelled him to become a partner at Southwest Contracting, a role he has proudly held for the past decade. Under his management, high-profile projects such as the Evergreen Line, Vancouver House, BC Children’s Hospital design-build, and the VAFFC Fuel Receiving Terminal have been successfully delivered.

Jason’s leadership philosophy is centered on fostering a strong, collaborative, and inclusive team across all divisions. He is committed to delivering top-quality work that not only meets but exceeds client and community expectations—ultimately creating true fans of SWC.