“I remember the first time I was up on scaffold at the very top of the tower at the back of Parliament Hill, looking over all of Ottawa and Gatineau. It’s probably the best view of the whole region, and I was thinking it was so cool that I got to work on the capital of the country.” – Andy Corey, Director of Project Management Services at Tiree
Andy Corey and Nick Klimowicz are no strangers to managing complex public sector infrastructure delivery. With a combined 22 years at Tiree, their work has taken them from the Parliamentary Precinct to Pakistan, on heritage restorations, embassy upgrades, and public sector projects with lasting value and far-reaching impact.
Recently appointed as Directors of Project Management Services at Tiree, they have grown into respected leaders, shaped by experienced mentors and hands-on involvement with high-stakes projects.
But how did they go from sharing a cubicle to becoming Directors? What projects shaped their careers, and what lessons are they carrying forward?
We sat down with Andy and Nick to reflect on the projects, mentors, and memorable experiences that helped prepare them for leadership, and to get their advice for the next generation of project managers.
Andy’s first project with Tiree was the Algonquin College Student Commons Building, which gave him a glimpse into what it means to deliver value for a client.
What stood out about this project wasn’t the scale, but the people. A team that was, as he puts it, “really professional, extremely competent,” and demonstrated great leadership. Despite this project being “very different from every other project that [he’s] worked on for the federal government since then,” it helped set the tone for Andy’s career as a project manager.
Nick’s career also began in the public sector, joining the team on the National Press Building. This was Nick’s “first foray into working with a construction management firm”—a partnership that left an impression not just for its technical demands, but for the collaboration it required.
These early experiences would go on to define much of Andy and Nick’s careers and shape how they build and foster relationships as project leaders.
Although Nick and Andy have worked on a variety of projects, their most memorable experiences are moments of reflection and opportunities to try something new.
In anticipation of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2018, the Parliamentary Precinct had to be camera-ready for local and national coverage. To help prepare, Andy had to fast-track the cleaning of the Wellington Street wall that runs from Canal to Bank Street.
In the middle of winter, Andy supported the setup of “scaffolding, spring water, and lasers” to clean the historic stonework in time for the celebration. The buzz on Parliament Hill was infectious, and Andy recalls it was exciting to have “everybody working together to get something done.”
Nick’s most memorable project took him much farther from home—to Pakistan.
When his wife was offered a job in Pakistan, Nick was prepared to leave his role at Tiree to move across the world with his family. Instead, the team explored how his skills and experience could align with Tiree’s global project portfolio and found a meaningful opportunity where he could make an impact.
A project with Global Affairs Canada had been stalled due to visa challenges, and with Nick already travelling to Pakistan on a diplomatic visa, he was uniquely positioned to help move the project over the finish line.
The opportunity to work on “upgrades to the Embassy and Chancery,” and to explore the “absolutely jaw-droppingly beautiful” landscape was an unforgettable opportunity for Nick—not only for the chance to learn about a new culture, but also to support Canada abroad.
For Nick, starting on the Block 2 project in the Parliamentary Precinct marked a personal milestone. He says, “This is my first mega project, and we’re redeveloping an entire city block. I’m excited to start at the ground level of a major infrastructure project.”
Similarly, Andy’s most memorable experience also comes from his work on the Parliamentary Precinct. Several years ago, he was working on Centre Block’s ventilation towers when he had the opportunity to climb the scaffolding to see the city from above. For Andy, this quiet moment, against the backdrop of the city skyline, underscored just how far-reaching and meaningful project management can be.
The calibre and impact of the projects are a big part of what’s kept Nick and Andy engaged at Tiree. Nick called out the Parliamentary Precinct as “a gem as far as projects go—it’s unique and it’s got heritage aspects to it. The history of Canada is all there.”
Andy shared that, “In every team that I’ve ever been on and in every role I’ve ever had at Tiree, there have always been colleagues I can learn from. This adds so much confidence to how I approach my work.”
He appreciates that “there’s always going to be somebody with an answer,” thanks to the deep bench of expertise across the company. He also noted that projects at Tiree have taken him as far as Africa, an experience that’s expanded his professional and cultural perspectives.
Nick is thankful for the mentorship he received from Howard Babb, Director of Project Management Services at Tiree, who is “very knowledgeable about the work we’re doing, project management processes, and everything else.”
Mentorship has played an equally important role in Andy’s career, as he’s thankful for “really great role models” that have shaped his unique approach to project leadership. His tenure at Tiree has been an amazing learning experience, which Andy feels has set him up for success in his new role.
Andy and Nick’s journeys highlight the values that define Tiree—we’re not just delivering complex projects but developing project leaders who make a lasting difference.
Andy advises project managers to “take advantage of all the knowledge [at Tiree] because people are more than happy to share.”
Similarly, Nick suggests participating in the “tools and programs for mentorship,” like Tiree’s Career Pathways initiative.
Andy also encourages new team members to “immerse yourself in the work and learn as much as you can about the technical details of the project you’re working on by observing your colleagues and the client.”
Both agree it’s important to find your unique approach to project management, guided by your strengths.
It’s this culture of shared learning that helps Tiree teams deliver value quickly and consistently—something our clients see in action every day.
From climbing scaffolding on Parliament Hill to managing embassy upgrades in Pakistan, Andy and Nick’s career journeys are as memorable as they are meaningful.
Their stories highlight how Tiree’s culture of mentorship and opportunity leads to meaningful growth, shaping the next generation of experienced project leaders.
Inspired by Andy and Nick’s journey? Explore open roles and start your own path at Tiree.