Alumni profile
J I M E VA N S
building
Culture
GR EG BURGH A R DT
When Greg Burghardt, ’91 MBA, and a select group of partners founded Arrow Engineering Inc. in 2006,
they set out to build something extraordinary.
T
hey shared a vision: to create a company where team members are treated with care and compassion, where work is fun and enjoyable, and where a positive work environment will foster a team-based, values-centred business approach. The objective: to be the best engineering services firm in western Canada for the “built environment.” For Arrow, being the best is not about being the biggest though they are well on the way to achievement on both counts.
One of our unsung
success stories:
relationships with colleagues, Growing up in Edmonton, Gary Lamphier, Edmonton Journal – November 29, 2011 clients, family, and friends, Greg had a passion for which include his wife tinkering and discovery, which Kim, their four children, in turn sparked his interest Large companies get lots of media and long-time friend and in learning about how things attention. Small ones usually don’t. colleague, Jim Evans, ’92 worked. He was also very Today, let me take a small step toward MBA. Those who have much inspired by his uncle, selected Arrow as their a civil engineer. He would go rectifying that imbalance by telling employer of choice enjoy a on to graduate from the U you about just one of Edmonton’s many work environment that is of A with a civil engineering overlooked success stories: Arrow designed around the values degree in 1988 followed by of respect and responsibility. an MBA. Upon reflection, Engineering. Its portfolio includes It is a place of work where Greg sees that having this the AMA’s sleek Kingsway branch, the people unite in their shared strong foundation, in two very renovated Kinsmen Arena, ProCura’s effort and commitment different vocations, helped to toward meeting the needs of light the entrepreneurial fire office-tower renovation on Jasper – now clients consistently and with that drives his perseverance home to AIMCo – and the U of A’s East enjoyment. and a strong desire to succeed. Campus Village. Greg believes that With 15 years in “happy employees make construction and product for happy customers.” As development under his belt, such, he strives to create an Greg was able to recognize atmosphere where people an opportunity when are encouraged to share their it appeared. This is how ideas, provide input, and take Arrow Engineering Inc. was the initiative to help make established with partners Paul Arrow an exciting workplace. Burdett and Robert Prybysh. Lifelong learning is also Since that time, Greg has an important aspect of the remained steadfast in Arrow’s culture at Arrow, where aspiration to become a highly professional and personal sought after engineering development tend to be the firm within the building norm. And, of course, staying construction industry. in tune with advancements Greg states that his personal in technology is a critical mission is to “provide a great component to engineering career experience for as many success. Arrow underpins great people as possible” and employees with financial that his role as President reinforcement for learning and CEO is empowering to further individual and in this regard. (Since team development. inception, Arrow has grown Greg, Arrow Engineering exponentially with more than Inc., and members of the Arrow team, are “dedicated to the fifty individuals employed today.) The company has a proven communities that we serve.” With this in mind, numerous track record for both performance and profitability in each year charities, specifically where staff or clients participate, of operation with an average revenue growth rate of over 40 are supported. percent per annum, realizing a remarkable 69 per cent in 2011, When asked about what the future might hold, Greg is quick and a less than three per cent turnover rate, which is well below to share that Arrow “is just getting started.” Greg, alongside his the industry average. Greg credits this success to several factors including leadership leadership team and staff at Arrow, is looking ahead to the future, with optimism and great expectation. style, management discipline, a strong vision, and meaningful