What started out as 
three amigos – with Roz 
in Prince George, Dave 
in Calgary and Debbie in 
Kelowna – quickly became 
the four amigos when Ron 
showed up on the scene 
heading up the WCA. All 
four of us were keen and 
attended every construction 
industry meeting, listening, 
recording and working on 
implementation plans to 
enhance the construction 
environment in our 
respective cities. However, 
our philosophy was not just 
to work hard; we played 
hard. When the workday 
was over, at whatever hour, 
we four amigos were ready 
for a little action. One of 
Ron’s missions was seeking 
roller coasters in whatever 
part of North America we 
were in: CNE, New York, 
Disney World, Las Vegas… 
we boarded the Cyclone, 
Thunderbolt, Corkscrew… 
there was no fear, whether 
it was a historical wooden 
coaster or steel. Needless 
to say, we would all jump 
back into the seats of the 
roller coaster and do it all 
over again.
- Debbie Hicks
& Dave Smith  |
Friends
EXIT  
INTERVIEW 
Build Manitoba: What would 
1999 Ron think of WCA 
today? 
Ron Hambley: The processes 
are smarter, the team is much 
stronger and the organization 
is far more capable than I 
ever imagined back then. 
BM: What became more 
meaningful to you over the 
years than you expected? 
RH: The quality of the board 
members. People who step 
forward to lead are incredibly 
smart, entrepreneurial and 
committed to giving back to 
the industry.
BM: What’s something 
people at WCA will probably 
still hear your voice saying 
long after you retire? 
RH: “Pop the clutch.” Once I 
make a decision, I like to get 
moving. 
BM: What event, trip or 
random moment from your 
career still makes you laugh? 
RH: The carousel and 
carnival at Builders’ Night. 
There’s a photo somewhere 
of Peter Grose and me with 
water guns. It was chaos.
BM: What’s one thing people 
would be surprised to learn 
about running WCA? 
RH: It never stops. Between 
the building, education, 
project news, events and 
CSAM, there are a lot of 
moving parts. It’s a 24/7 
responsibility.
BM: What’s one thing you 
definitely won’t miss? 
RH: Answering the building 
alarm in the middle of the 
night.
BM: What will you miss 
most? 
RH: The staff team.
BM: What are you most 
looking forward to that has 
absolutely nothing to do with 
construction? 
RH: Not having to come into 
work when it’s a really nice 
day outside.
BM: Black coffee, white 
Audis, red wine or GTOs 
- which one is truly non-
negotiable?
RH: Black coffee.
BM: Be honest – how many 
times did you adjust the 
thermostat over the years? 
RH: None. I just walked over 
and checked it.
Seeking opportunities 
involving: 

Travel

Biking

Good wine

Family time
Retirement
Objective
51
Issue 2 | Summer Edition | 2026      BUILD MANITOBA
RON'S RETIREMENT RESUMÉ

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