Our Leadership
Marco's leadership fosters collaboration and commitment, ensuring that teams work together to meet project goals while prioritizing safety and quality.
Our 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 Team
Marco’s Chair and CEO, Christopher Hickman, leads the entire Marco team and provides strategic direction for the company. His exceptional business leadership and acumen have earned him numerous accolades over the years. Notably, in 2019, he was inducted to the JA Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame, an honour reserved for entrepreneurs who inspire through their impactful contributions and achievements in both business and community endeavors.
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 boasts over 15 years of experience collaborating with organizational leaders to create engaged workplaces. She began her career in Calgary within the oil and gas and industrial construction sectors before joining Marco in 2019. Her areas of expertise include workforce planning, performance optimization, policy and procedure development and compensation analysis. In her role as Director of People and Brand, Jada oversees our human resources functions, drives our brand strategy and leads our Indigenous relations and community outreach initiatives. Her efforts not only foster a vibrant, inclusive workplace with top industry talent but also ensures our commitment to social responsibility and the communities we live in.
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.
As a graduate of The University of New Brunswick’s Engineering Program and a P. Eng., Duncan Beattie brings to the team over 15 years of invaluable experience working in multi-residential high-rise construction. Duncan’s unwavering commitment to the “team first” philosophy guides his management of the design process. This dedication ensures flawless communication from the inception of design concepts through to the execution of construction plans.
Alex Hickman carries forward his family legacy, contributing to the company’s ongoing growth and innovation. In his role as Associate Director, Special Projects, Alex not only executes initiatives within Marco’s realm but also extends his expertise to ventures beyond the company’s traditional scope. With a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from McGill University, and hands-on experience gained through summers working at Marco, Alex brings a distinctive skill set to the team.
"We were deeply impressed with the dedication of the Marco team and the efforts they put in to ensure that we got the facility our community so desperately needed."
Max Chauvin, General Manager