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ALEKSI MAKILA
VP & Division Manager, Civil at
Chandos Construction
THE CONSTRUCTION industry has long been plagued by
combative, adversarial models that pit owners against contractors,
often resulting in costly delays and compromised quality. However,
a signi昀椀cant shift is underway toward Integrated Project Delivery
(IPD) and collaborative frameworks that prioritize shared value,
transparency, and mutual success. Championing this progressive
evolution is Aleksi Makila, the Vice President and Division Manager of Civil at Chandos Construction. Since joining the 昀椀rm in 2014,
Aleksi has climbed the ranks to become a powerhouse at one of
the nation’s most sophisticated builders, playing a transformative
role in expanding the company’s capabilities and market presence.
Recognizing a critical gap in the company’s portfolio, he was
instrumental in launching Chandos’s civil and municipal infrastructure services in 2016. Under his strategic guidance, this initiative
rapidly gained traction, leading to the formal creation of the Civil
Division in 2019.
Today, under Aleksi’s leadership, the division has experienced explosive growth, expanding its operations across
Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, and now represents
a remarkable 25% of the company’s total revenue. Holding a
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aleksi combines
deep technical expertise with a passion for innovative delivery
models. He is a 昀椀erce advocate for IPD and Construction Management, having successfully led over twenty such projects. His
commitment to collaborative construction has helped shift the
industry toward approaches that prioritize owner satisfaction
and long-term project viability. Aleksi’s leadership philosophy
is deeply rooted in vulnerability, continuous learning, and a
genuine care for people. His approach to joint leadership—having co-managed the Civil Division for 昀椀ve years—demonstrates
his belief that strong partnerships and open communication are
the bedrock of success.
He is 昀椀ercely dedicated to workforce development, personally investing time in university recruitment, career fairs,
and events like the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan race to
attract and mentor the next generation of engineering talent.
Perhaps most notably, Aleksi is a passionate champion of
community bene昀椀t and Indigenous inclusion. Challenging his
own preconceived notions, he has made it a personal mission to
ensure that infrastructure projects deliver meaningful, lasting
value to First Nations communities. His dedication is re昀氀ected
in the strong, respectful partnerships he has built, such as his
work with the Frog Lake Cree Nation, focusing on critical issues
like access to clean drinking water and inclusive procurement.
Aleksi is not just building roads and water systems; he is actively constructing a more collaborative, equitable, and sustainable
future for the Canadian construction industry, solidifying his
reputation as a visionary executive.
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SITE REPORTS
NEED some tech support? Aleksi has worked on 7 Best Buy
renovations for Chandos across the country.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
from the University of Calgary.
Over the course of his career, he has been involved with
dozens of Integrated Project Delivery and Construction
Management contracts.
