Leadership

Unmatched expertise

United by their passion to push boundaries, our leadership team delivers exceptional results. With years of experience in the construction industry, they inspire our employees to tackle each project with a strong commitment to quality. There’s a reason why we’ve grown into one of Western Canada’s most trusted construction companies—leadership through experience is the foundation of our success.

Dennis O’Rourke – Chairman

Dennis founded Sureway in 1973, nurturing the company from modest beginnings in water and sewer construction into one of Western Canada’s leading construction contractors. Dennis is known among his peers as a pioneer and risk taker who thrives on challenges. He has consistently shaped a competitive edge for Sureway by securing the latest, largest, and most productive equipment in the industry.

View Full Bio
Dennis has championed Sureway’s work in many expansive and complex projects, including the southeast leg of the Anthony Henday ring road, the first public-private partnership project of its kind in Alberta. He’s continued Sureway’s involvement in P3 projects, most recently with the northeast leg of the Anthony Henday. Dennis’ enterprising spirit has diversified Sureway’s business units, advancing the company’s role in Alberta’s infrastructure and communities. He’s further focused Sureway’s expertise in civil scopes for industrial construction.

Known to be a generous corporate and community citizen, Dennis prefers to keep a low profile while donating both time and money to numerous educational and charitable organizations and causes. These include the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Notre Dame College, The Alberta Heart Institute, the University Hospital Foundation, STARS, CNIB, University of Alberta, Capital Care Foundation, Kids for Cancer, YMCA, and many others. Dennis and his wife Elizabeth are pleased to make a home in Edmonton. He shares his passion for sports with his 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Bruce Hagstrom – President, Sureway Construction

After graduating from NAIT’s C.E.T. program in 1971, Bruce began his career in construction as a field technologist for Associated Engineering. He then joined Sureway in 1975 while it was still a modest water and sewer utility contractor. Bruce has been integral to Sureway’s growth into one of Western Canada’s leading civil construction companies.

View Full Bio
Bruce’s strengths lie in opening up innovative mechanisms for complex projects. In his 41 years with Sureway, Bruce has expanded its scope of work to include many significant highway construction projects and played a vital role in advancing Sureway’s Industrial partnerships. While at the same time continuing to grow Sureway’s Earthworks and Underground Land Development Division, reinforcing its reputation of quality and service.

His peers recognize him as an innovator who enjoys nothing more than business. In an industry known for its sometimes-transient workforce, Bruce has maintained an enviable employee retention rate. He values his employees and respects their opinions, often incorporating their suggestions into his business plans. He also encourages senior staff to mentor junior employees to grow a new generation of skilled workers in today’s Albertan labour market.

Above all, Bruce leads Sureway as a Corporate supporter of various community, educational, and charitable organizations.

 

 

Marlea Sleeman – President, Sil Industrial Materials

Marlea has been with Sureway for nearly 25 years, and her energy and commitment to quality have been steadfast through her whole career. Over the years, Marlea has honed her skills in many company departments, learning the fundamentals of accounting, asset planning, estimating, safety, project control, and project management. Her expertise now spans process technology design and implementation, logistics solutions development, and product line development.

View Full Bio
In 2001, Marlea joined the ranks of Sureway’s senior management, working in mergers and acquisition, land development, and the management of Sureway’s subsidiary, Yellowhead Aggregates. Her ambition and strategic mindset earned her an executive role at Sil Industrial Minerals, another Sureway subsidiary and Canada’s largest frac sand and industrial sand producer.

Marlea is a dedicated member at a number of industry associations, including the National Industrial Sand Association (NISA), Urban Development Institute (UDI) Edmonton, Alberta Sand and Gravel Association (ASGA), and Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ASGA). She volunteers on the National Industrial Sand Association’s (NISA) Executive of the Board of Directors, as well as the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association’s annual rate guide committee.