Who We Are

Marco thrives in one of the toughest, most demanding environments in the world because we demand as much from ourselves as the wind, weather, and waves of the North Atlantic region demand from those who build in it.

The largest Atlantic Canadian-based general contractor, we operate in the retail, commercial, recreational, multi-residential, entertainment, health care, educational and light industrial sectors as design-builders, construction managers, and general contractors. We undertake work throughout the Atlantic region and in other areas of Canada with offices located in Halifax, NS and St. John’s, NL.

We provide guidance for every stage of your project – from the design phase through to occupancy. We guarantee a quality project and will work with you as a team to ensure success. We utilize a variety of contract delivery methods. Whether it be traditional general contracting, construction management, or engineer-procure-construct, we will find the approach that works best for you.

We also offer a variety of contract types to suit your needs, ranging from guaranteed-maximum-price, to stipulated lump sum, to negotiated design build. We use virtual construction and with the use of BIM (building information modelling) we can solve problems before they develop to impact the schedule.

We provide the best possible value. Our knowledge of local markets enables us to provide value engineering solutions that will realize your vision with the most cost-effective approach.

Founder

Tom Hickman, the founder of Marco Group, was involved in the construction industry for over fifty years. Having started his career with the Foundation Company of Canada, and working with Lundrigan’s in a variety of positions, he ultimately became President of Newfoundland Engineering and Construction Company (NECCO). In 1979 Tom led the senior management and staff of NECCO in the formation of Marco. Throughout his career, Tom has built many of the most prominent buildings in Newfoundland and Labrador. He continued in an advisory role to Marco until his passing in December 2015.

Leadership

Marco Chair and CEO Christopher Hickman leads the entire Marco team and provides strategic direction for the company. He has received numerous awards over the years for business leadership and acumen.  In 2011, he was inducted into the Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame by Atlantic Business Magazine – an honour awarded to Top 50 CEOs who have made this list for five consecutive years.

 

President Allan MacIntosh was inducted into the Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame by Atlantic Business Magazine in 2019 – an honour awarded to Top 50 CEOs who have made this list for five consecutive years. Entering the industry as an architectural technologist, he gained extensive experience as a quantity surveyor before advancing to roles in business development and regional management. Having spent his entire career in the Maritimes, Allan is proud to contribute to the economy of the region he knows so well. He manages the pursuit of new business while helping steer the company into the future.

 

Chief Operating Officer Rod Ackerman was introduced to construction through the family business, where he worked hands-on in the field during the summers and after school. After a move to Western Canada to work as an engineering technologist, the desire to be directly involved with construction was too strong and he returned home to begin his career with Marco. Rod assumed his leadership position with the Group in 2010 and to the present day oversees all day-to-day operations. He is a “hands-on” executive who prides himself on being readily accessible to each and every project and project team.

 

Chief Financial Officer Don Allen has over 25 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, taxation and business financing at a senior management level, both locally and internationally in the Cayman Islands. Don brings a well-rounded knowledge of many business environments and is responsible for all accounting and administrative functions, including insurance, technology, human resources, and legal.

 

Senior Vice President of Major Projects Jeremy Stewart is a graduate of the UNB School of Engineering in Fredericton, NB. He launched his career working on Boston’s “Big Dig” and other large-scale projects throughout Massachusetts. When life in the Maritimes called him home, he joined Marco as a senior project manager and was rapidly promoted to operations manager, and, later, Vice President of Operations, before advancing to his current role. Jeremy uses his expertise in scheduling, phasing, and coordination to advise the managers of the company’s larger projects.

 

Senior Vice President of Operations Corey Taylor is a 25+ year veteran of the construction industry. He has directed office and field operations on a multitude of commercial and industrial sectors. Corey began his career as a Superintendent in the commercial sector and has held several senior roles within the industry. He oversees the day-to-day operations of all projects and coordinates company-wide field operations. He also plays an active role in pre-construction planning, scheduling, and logistics.

 

Neil Pittman has been a lawyer for over 20 years. He has practiced primarily in corporate finance, commercial transactions, and taxation, acting for provincial, national, and international clients. He has experience in corporate governance and strategy and is also a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Jada Ruttgaizer has over 15 years of experience collaborating with organizational leaders to create engaged workplaces. Her areas of expertise include workforce planning, performance optimization, policy and procedure development, and compensation analysis. She launched her career in Calgary where she worked for over a decade in oil and gas and industrial construction. However, the Atlantic Ocean called her home and shortly afterwards she joined Marco to lead the Human Resources function.

 

Kirk Sutherland has a passion for construction and enjoys working in a collaborative team environment. He takes pride in providing a positive attitude and being a solution-oriented team member. He has over 22 years of estimating experience in a variety of project delivery models, with a focus on the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors of the Atlantic Canadian construction industry. Kirk resides in Dartmouth, NS with his wife and their two children. He also enjoys hockey, golf, basketball and spending quality time with his family.

 

Lisa Rice began her studies with a diploma in Architectural Engineering Technology. Upon completion of the program, a desire to work in the field led her to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Safety Engineering from the College of the North Atlantic. Lisa joined Marco as a work term student during her studies and returned to the company full time upon her graduation. As a Gold Seal Certified Safety Coordinator, a National Construction Safety Officer and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional, Lisa leads Marco’s safety program towards continuous improvement.

 

Marco Chair and CEO Christopher Hickman leads the entire Marco team and provides strategic direction for the company. He has received numerous awards over the years for business leadership and acumen.  In 2011, he was inducted into the Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame by Atlantic Business Magazine – an honour awarded to Top 50 CEOs who have made this list for five consecutive years.

 

President Allan MacIntosh was inducted into the Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame by Atlantic Business Magazine in 2019 – an honour awarded to Top 50 CEOs who have made this list for five consecutive years. Entering the industry as an architectural technologist, he gained extensive experience as a quantity surveyor before advancing to roles in business development and regional management. Having spent his entire career in the Maritimes, Allan is proud to contribute to the economy of the region he knows so well. He manages the pursuit of new business while helping steer the company into the future.

 

Chief Operating Officer Rod Ackerman was introduced to construction through the family business, where he worked hands-on in the field during the summers and after school. After a move to Western Canada to work as an engineering technologist, the desire to be directly involved with construction was too strong and he returned home to begin his career with Marco. Rod assumed his leadership position with the Group in 2010 and to the present day oversees all day-to-day operations. He is a “hands-on” executive who prides himself on being readily accessible to each and every project and project team.

 

Chief Financial Officer Don Allen has over 25 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, taxation and business financing at a senior management level, both locally and internationally in the Cayman Islands. Don brings a well-rounded knowledge of many business environments and is responsible for all accounting and administrative functions, including insurance, technology, human resources, and legal.

 

Senior Vice President of Major Projects Jeremy Stewart is a graduate of the UNB School of Engineering in Fredericton, NB. He launched his career working on Boston’s “Big Dig” and other large-scale projects throughout Massachusetts. When life in the Maritimes called him home, he joined Marco as a senior project manager and was rapidly promoted to operations manager, and, later, Vice President of Operations, before advancing to his current role. Jeremy uses his expertise in scheduling, phasing, and coordination to advise the managers of the company’s larger projects.

 

Senior Vice President of Operations Corey Taylor is a 25+ year veteran of the construction industry. He has directed office and field operations on a multitude of commercial and industrial sectors. Corey began his career as a Superintendent in the commercial sector and has held several senior roles within the industry. He oversees the day-to-day operations of all projects and coordinates company-wide field operations. He also plays an active role in pre-construction planning, scheduling, and logistics.

 

Neil Pittman has been a lawyer for over 20 years. He has practiced primarily in corporate finance, commercial transactions, and taxation, acting for provincial, national, and international clients. He has experience in corporate governance and strategy and is also a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Jada Ruttgaizer has over 15 years of experience collaborating with organizational leaders to create engaged workplaces. Her areas of expertise include workforce planning, performance optimization, policy and procedure development, and compensation analysis. She launched her career in Calgary where she worked for over a decade in oil and gas and industrial construction. However, the Atlantic Ocean called her home and shortly afterwards she joined Marco to lead the Human Resources function.

 

Kirk Sutherland has a passion for construction and enjoys working in a collaborative team environment. He takes pride in providing a positive attitude and being a solution-oriented team member. He has over 22 years of estimating experience in a variety of project delivery models, with a focus on the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors of the Atlantic Canadian construction industry. Kirk resides in Dartmouth, NS with his wife and their two children. He also enjoys hockey, golf, basketball and spending quality time with his family.

 

Lisa Rice began her studies with a diploma in Architectural Engineering Technology. Upon completion of the program, a desire to work in the field led her to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Safety Engineering from the College of the North Atlantic. Lisa joined Marco as a work term student during her studies and returned to the company full time upon her graduation. As a Gold Seal Certified Safety Coordinator, a National Construction Safety Officer and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional, Lisa leads Marco’s safety program towards continuous improvement.

 

Diversity and Inclusion

Groups of people working together can be powerful platforms for social change. We firmly believe that respectful and visible diversity creates an inclusive, dynamic workplace and provides all community members with the chance to be heard and represented.

The age in which we live is pivotal in our history, and we must take this time to address the systemic issues that have led to continued under-representation and injustice. Societal passivity, ignorance, and insensitivity are factors that diminish, disenfranchise, and actively harm people from equity-seeking groups. As an organization, we have evolved our values with our growing understanding of racial injustice, and continuously look to how we can do our part in making the future, both within and outside of the construction industry, a better and more inclusive place.

We are focused on ensuring that our hiring practices reflect the diverse population of our communities.

Community

Marco supports people, organizations and community groups that help make our society better such as arts organizations, sports teams, social supports, and charities. This includes people and organizations whose focus is to create social value, encourage healthier lifestyles, and offer an outlet for culture and the arts. We are proud to have been a founding partner for many groups and will continue to play this role and other supporting roles in the future.

Accolades