With over 30 years of industry experience, Kevin is the visionary behind Upward. His impressive portfolio spans more than 3,500 homes and contributes to over $870 million in construction value. Kevin’s extensive industry knowledge informs every aspect of the company, while his leadership empowers teams of skilled project managers and site professionals to excel.

Known for his analytical, pragmatic approach, Kevin consistently finds practical solutions to complex challenges. His dedication to quality and precision ensures that projects are crafted to the highest standards.

He also brings a personal touch, building lasting relationships with clients and colleagues alike. This blend of expertise and care makes Kevin a highly respected leader in the construction industry.

Geoff is our Senior Project Manager, expertly overseeing high-end custom homes with over 16 years of experience at Upward. Before moving into project management, he built a solid foundation as an on-site Red Seal journeyman.

With more than 40 successful projects under his belt, Geoff skillfully balances budgets, schedules, and procurement. His personable approach ensures clients feel confident and informed throughout the entire process.

When he’s not managing builds, he’s mastering recipes in the kitchen—because why not build great homes and great meals?

With over 8 years at Upward, Matej is our superstar Project Manager, ensuring everything runs like clockwork behind the scenes. Known for his warm smile and friendly nature, Matej builds strong working relationships with clients and teammates alike. His sharp eye for detail guarantees every project is a success, and he’s always ready to go the extra mile to make things happen.

When he’s not managing projects, you’ll find Matej embracing the great outdoors—whether camping under the stars or cruising down B.C.’s stunning trails on his mountain bike.

Just like in project management, he tackles challenges head-on, navigating the best path to keep everything moving forward smoothly.

With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Justin is our go-to guy for keeping home projects running smoothly! He has a talent for finding practical solutions to any challenge, ensuring the team stays focused and on track while enjoying the process.

Known for his down-to-earth approach, Justin creates an upbeat environment where everyone feels valued. His commitment to meeting project timelines and delivering great results makes him a key player on our team.

When he’s not busy orchestrating projects, you can find Justin rocking out with his band, sharing his love for music with fans. Whether he’s building homes or entertaining crowds, Justin brings his passion and energy to everything he does!

Paul is our dedicated Project Coordinator, with a talent for organization that keeps every project running like a well-oiled machine. From managing detailed spreadsheets and tracking progress to supporting the project manager and ensuring smooth communication between team members, clients, and vendors, Paul has it all covered.

With experience on impressive heritage projects like Government House and the Douglas Building in Victoria, he has the expertise to back up his skills.

When he’s not coordinating projects, you’ll find Paul tapping into his creative side with pottery or reeling in a big catch while fishing. His hobbies reflect his patience and attention to detail!

Celeen seamlessly blends creativity and organization as both a designer and project coordinator, enhancing every project she touches. She plays a key role at Upward, overseeing project procurement and adding her signature style to beautiful design elements. With a diploma in Interior Design from BCIT, Celeen brings a strong foundation of expertise to her work.

Her warm personality and sharp attention to detail make her an essential part of the team. From the first concept to the final touches, she ensures every project flows smoothly, bringing both style and efficiency to everything she does.

With 30+ years of specialized experience in construction accounting, Catherine is integral to ensuring our company and project financials are always in order. She holds a CPA, CMA designation, bringing a wealth of expertise to our team.

Catherine oversees all accounting activities, managing budgets and forecasts to ensure financial transparency throughout each project. Her meticulous approach safeguards our clients’ financial interests and ensures that every aspect of the accounting process operates smoothly. Catherine brings her wealth of experience and knowledge to enable clear communication between our project managers and clients.

When she’s not crunching numbers, you’ll find Catherine out enjoying nature. Whether hiking up a trail or running through the park, she keeps laser-focused and ready for whatever comes her way!

Meet Carla! As our Marketing Manager, she’s the creative powerhouse behind Upward’s branding and communication efforts. With a knack for organization and a strong focus on client relations, Carla ensures our marketing strategies shine.

Her keen eye for detail and passion for storytelling bring our projects to life through captivating visuals. Plus, as a photographer, she skillfully captures the essence of our work in stunning imagery. Carla’s creativity and dedication elevate everything we do!

Meet Rob, a master builder who infuses Upward with his extensive experience and creative flair! After embarking on his journey in architecture at Brock University, he went on to earn his Carpentry and Millwork/Joinery Red Seals, followed by a Project Management certification from BCIT.

Rob’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship is evident in the stunning luxury homes he has built on the North Shore. He places a strong emphasis on sustainable practices while sharing his expertise in National Energy Conservation and Building Science. Throughout his career, Rob has successfully mentored several apprentices, helping them achieve their Red Seal certification and empowering the next generation of builders.

When he’s not on-site, Rob loves to channel his creativity into designing unique furniture and diving into innovative sustainable architecture. Whether competing on the golf course or playing the drums in the vibrant jazz and fusion scene, he brings a harmonious blend of artistry and passion to everything he undertakes!

Meet Manny! With over 25 years of experience, Manny is a hands-on Site Supervisor who can fix just about anything. Starting his career framing townhouses, he’s tackled everything from residential homes to large-scale land developments. Known for rolling up his sleeves and diving into the work, Manny thrives on the challenge of seeing a project through from start to finish, ensuring every detail is just right.

And when he’s not on-site, you can find him firing up the BBQ—because just like construction, he loves getting things done to perfection!

Meet Luke! His construction journey kicked off in 2011, and he’s been raising the bar ever since. After earning his New Zealand Bcito ITA certification in 2015, he took the plunge and moved to Canada, where he snagged his Red Seal certification in British Columbia.

Now, as one of our talented Site Supervisors at Upward, Luke is the go-to guy for keeping everything on-site running smoothly. When he’s not on-site, you can catch him shredding the slopes on his snowboard, where he applies the same focus and determination that he brings to every construction project!

Meet Ryan, one of our talented Site Supervisors! With over two decades of experience in the construction industry, Ryan has tackled an impressive range of projects—from framing townhouses to managing intricate renovations and crafting high-end new builds.

His keen eye for detail ensures that every aspect of the job is meticulously attended to, with everything on-site carefully labeled and protected to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

Known for his proactive approach, he leads his team of carpenters and sub-trades with precision, empowering each project to reach its full potential. When he’s not overseeing projects, you can find Ryan hiking or exploring B.C’s great outdoors, always ready to embrace the next adventure!

Meet Jamie, our carpenter with a double major in Political Science and History from UBC, bringing a unique perspective to the team! For the past 7 years at Upward, he’s been the guy with a perpetual smile and an unbeatable “get-it-done” attitude. Jamie is not just about nailing boards; he’s also about building friendships—his coworkers appreciate his friendly vibe and can-do spirit, making every workday feel like a team adventure.

When he’s not onsite, you can find him riding his motorcycle on the open road, traveling, or spending quality time with the family! With Jamie on the team, every build is not only completed with excellence but also infused with a bright smile and exceptional craftsmanship.

Thomas has been a valued member of the Upward team for the past two years, bringing over 15 years of diverse industry experience. His extensive background spans from precision metalwork to overseeing the construction of facilities capable of producing 50-ton crawler excavators.

With a deep understanding of building construction equipment, Thomas’s expertise adds incredible value to our projects, ensuring a seamless blend of technical knowledge and hands-on skill.

Meet our rising star carpenter, Mattias! As he embarks on his journey to becoming a Red Seal-certified carpenter through his apprenticeship at BCIT, Mattias infuses the team with fresh energy and enthusiasm. His lifelong passion for fixing and tinkering naturally led him to the world of construction. In high school, he participated in the Youth Train in Trades (YTT) program, which helped kickstart his carpentry career!

Mattias brings a cheerful spirit to the crew, always ready to lend a helping hand with a bright smile. When he’s not honing his carpentry skills, you’ll find him building computers or strumming his guitar, pouring that same creativity and precision into his personal woodworking projects. With his blend of energy and unwavering commitment to quality, Mattias transforms every project at Upward into an exciting journey, ensuring that each build reflects excellence and craftsmanship!