06/11/2026
Today I came to my favourite rooftop. Sadly this will be the last time I will have this view again. My time of helping Bridging North America build the Gordie Howe International Bridge has come to an end. As I sit a top the highest structure in Essex county. I wonder have I also reached my pinnacle,
Is this the top for me to? I begin to reflect on my journey to get here. In my 20’s selling furniture, and mortgages. Then moving back to Canada alone, struggling in the aftermath of losing my father and both grand mothers. Having no direction, trying to figure out who I am. Remembering a conversation with my dad, he said you took apart every bike and electronic device in our house your whole life. It’s obviously an interest of yours. So I started to research and determined there was not enough money in bike building. But the history of electrical work was fascinating . So in my early 30’s I picked up the phone book and started calling electrical contractors from A-Z , my second time through someone gave me a chance. 13 years after that I opened my own electrical contracting business and after 12 years in business I got to work as a consultant to help build a 6 billion dollar Bridge.
Yet I feel as though I have more to accomplish.
It has been a great honour To work on this project. It was interesting and fun after 25 years to see the construction business from the engineers point of view. I spent a great deal of time with the engineers and the installers. Aecom has a Great electric engineering staff, particularly I enjoyed spending time, walking through all the buildings and site. Talking about electrical and life.
I could have never have done it without the recommendation I received from Sumaye Diab. Who’s work ethic, fairness, intelligence, and kindness -tempered with a touch of sass and no-nonsense leadership-earned my highest respect . Thank you Sumaye… truly your the best. I must also thank Michael Galardo for giving me the opportunity and believing in my ability to transition from being a business owner/installer, to Inspector of Quality. I have met so many great people and will miss my coworkers in Quality greatly.
Now I wonder what is next as great as this project is. I feel as if there is more I can do, achieve greatness in other ways and escalate successfully into so much more. I look forward to what the future brings. As one project ends and another begins, as we say in new construction.
“ see you at the next one”
Devon Shepley
