Chris Gower is the ninth person to lead PCL in the company’s 118-year history. He became President and Chief Executive Officer after nearly three decades working inside the firm. People who know him say his rise was built on hard work, steady learning, and a deep respect for the people who actually build things.
Early days and how he learned the trade
Chris Gower began his career in construction on the tools, framing houses, which gave him a firsthand understanding of how plans on paper must be turned into safe, functional buildings through skill and teamwork. Over the years, he moved through roles such as estimator, project manager, and district manager, gaining experience in every stage of a project. Alongside this hands-on experience, he studied Construction Engineering at Fanshawe College and later completed an executive program at Stanford University, building both technical knowledge and leadership skills.
Growth at PCL
Before becoming CEO, Gower served as Deputy CEO and earlier as Chief Operating Officer for PCL’s building operations. In those roles he oversaw work across Canada, the United States and Australia. Colleagues credit him with steady, practical decision-making and with helping PCL grow into new markets. His long service at PCL gave him time to understand the company’s culture and the details of running large, complex building projects.
Driving new work and new tools
Gower has been involved in many landmark projects across North America. He also played a key role in growing PCL’s work in the solar energy market. Inside the company, he has supported technology that helps jobs run more safely and smoothly, including in-house tools that gather data from job sites to help teams plan and protect workers. These moves show his interest in blending field experience with new ideas that help crews work better.
Leadership Style
People who work with Gower describe him as practical, calm, and focused on people. He prizes clear planning, risk management, and training tradespeople well. He often speaks about the value of employee ownership at PCL and how that model encourages people to treat projects as their own work. This hands-on, team-first approach helps explain why he has been chosen to lead a company with a long history.
Chris Gower began his career in construction on the tools, framing houses, which gave him a firsthand understanding of how plans on paper must be turned into safe, functional buildings through skill and teamwork
Life outside the office
While Gower is a public leader at a large construction firm, several profiles and company pages note his community work. He takes part in boards and supports charities that help local communities. That public service is part of how he connects PCL’s work to the people who live near its projects. Details about his family life are kept private in public records, but his public comments often return to the themes of mentorship, giving back, and caring for the next generation of builders.
Journey at PCL
Chris Gower’s story is a simple one in shape, a person who learned the work on the ground, took on more responsibility step by step, and now leads a company that builds cities and communities. His path shows that in construction, respect for the trades, steady learning, and care for people can lead to the highest posts and help shape the places we live.
