Alan Hand’s 30th anniversary

Alan Hand’s 30th anniversary? with A.W. Hooker Associates Ltd.

Alan began his career as a Quantity Surveyor on the other side of the Pacific Ocean in Perth, Australia . Though he had the opportunity to study Architecture, Alan decided after some contemplation and number crunching (a sign of things to come) that he would be better off with a degree in quantity surveying, which he earned from the Western Australian Institute of Technology .

After several years of successful practice in his chosen field, Alan did what many Aussies do: he quit his job to travel the world . With that innate itch scratched, Alan resumed his QS career on this side of the Pacific when he started a consulting firm with two partners in Calgary, Alberta .

In early 1987, Alan heard that a fellow CIQS member was looking to expand on his consulting firm, which at that time was operating as a sole proprietorship . Alan made contact with the Ontariobased industry colleague and promptly set up a face-to-face meeting to discuss the opportunity . The pair hit it off and, a short time later, Alan packed his bags and flew east to his new gig at Arthur W . Hooker Quantity Surveying .

Alan & Yvonne

May 2017 marked Alan’s 30th anniversary at the renamed A .W . Hooker Associates Ltd . Over that time, Alan has been at the helm of the ship and has grown the firm to annual revenues greater than 20 times those of the early years . Alan’s experience and success in risk management, cost control, project monitoring, peer review and as an expert witness have played a paramount role in the firm’s success .

Combining a strong desire to visit his homeland ‘down under’ with his passion for sailing, Alan took a year sabbatical in 2001 and set sail in his 39’ Corbin sail boat . He sailed from Canada to the Caribbean, then through the Panama Canal and across the South Pacific to Australia . Looking back at the experience, Alan is adamant that his quantity surveying skills were instrumental in the successful planning, budgeting, stocking of supplies, navigating and captaining his boat with a five-person crew across the largest ocean on the planet .

Throughout his career, Alan has poured his heart into developing the Quantity Surveying industry in Canada . As Past President of the Association of Quantity Surveyors of Alberta, and Past President of the Canadian Association of Consulting Quantity Surveyors (CAQCS), he has worked tirelessly to promote the industry and is proud to see how the role of the Quantity Surveyor has become a key part of the construction fabric .

On a more personal level, Alan is a gentle and kind man, compassionate, caring and supportive . His management skills reflect in the office ambience and longevity of staff retention . Always willing to help and mentor, he leads by demonstration and wisdom of the many years of practice .

They say, “Behind every successful man is a strong woman,” and Alan has had great support through the years; namely, his lovely wife Yvonne . Alan and Yvonne were married 1979, are the parents of three children and recently became grandparents .

On behalf of the staff of A .W . Hooker, we congratulate and thank Alan for his 30 years of service, wish him continued success in business and health and happiness in the years to come .

Cheers mate .

Written by Malcolm Yates, PQS Senior Partner A .W . Hooker