2025 HUB AWARD WINNERS

The 2025 HUB Awards were presented at this year’s annual conference, honouring individuals whose work exemplifies leadership, innovation, and long-term impact in the brownfield and contaminated lands industry. 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Barry Grover, Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc.

Barry Grover, Co-founder of Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc., was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring contributions to Canada’s remediation sector. With over 30 years of experience, Barry has helped redefine how complex contaminated site projects are delivered—balancing technical excellence with environmental and social responsibility. 

Under his leadership, Milestone grew into a nationally recognized contractor known for innovative, fit-for-purpose solutions across federal, provincial, and private projects. Barry played a lead role in major cleanups such as Randle Reef and the Pottersburg PCB site, advancing adaptive delivery models and stakeholder engagement. 

A champion of collaboration, Barry has built strong partnerships with Indigenous organizations and led initiatives like the Pathway to Strengthening the Algonquin Anishinabe Workforce (PSAAW) to boost Indigenous participation in the skilled trades. His commitment to building capacity has shaped both the industry and those who work within it.

INNOVATION AWARD

Kevin French, VEI Contracting Inc.

Kevin French, Vice President of VEI Contracting Inc., received the Innovation Award for his decades-long leadership in environmental remediation. With over 35 years of experience, Kevin has driven the advancement of in-situ technologies, on-site treatment strategies, and site-specific solutions that have reshaped brownfield practices nationwide. He was instrumental in the success of the landmark Gooderham & Worts Distillery project and helped pioneer technologies such as permeable reactive barriers and bench-scale treatability studies, offering new approaches to risk management and remediation planning. 

Kevin’s early work contributed to the practical application of Ontario’s contaminated site regulations, and he continues to foster collaboration across sectors. A frequent speaker at events like CBN, RemTech, and CANECT, he is also recognized for mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals. 

EMERGING LEADER

Kyle VanderMeer, City of Guelph

Kyle VanderMeer, Environmental Engineer and Project Manager with the City of Guelph, received the Emerging Leader Award for his impactful work advancing brownfield redevelopment and sustainable land management. With a background in environmental consulting and a strong technical foundation, Kyle brings both strategic insight and practical expertise to complex assessment and remediation initiatives. He played a key role in developing Guelph’s Guidance for On-Site and Excess Soil Management—a document that earned a 2022 Brownie Award and is now a model for municipalities across Canada. 

Beyond his project work, Kyle is a respected voice in the industry. He co-chairs the Municipal Engineers Association’s Excess Soil Committee and frequently shares his expertise at conferences including CANECT, ONEIA, and CBN’s Annual Conference. 

Congratulations to Barry, Kevin and Kyle.