OUR TEAM
We are the Phoenix Group of Companies.
Every member of our team brings a diverse range of backgrounds, innovation styles, and skillsets to every project. Their passion and dedication are the foundation of our continued success in delivering simple, sophisticated solutions to the complex challenges facing our industry today.
Meet Our Team
Jim Adams
President
Jim brings over 40 years of trades experience to his role as President and Founder of Phoenix. His storied entrepreneurial career began in 1989 when his firm was founded to support newsprint plants across Alberta. Over the decades, his keen business sense and passion for excellence within this industry have been the driving force behind his decision to pursue an innovation-first business model for Phoenix. Under Jim’s leadership, Phoenix has grown from a small-scale oilfield construction and maintenance company to a sophisticated, technology-driven firm with over 1,000 employees serving major players such as Husky Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, and ConocoPhillips.
Kelly Adams
EVP, Operations & Innovation
Kelly is the Executive Vice President of Operations for Phoenix Industrial Maintenance and the CEO/CTO of National Thermovoltaics. He has an extensive background in building and leading multi-disciplinary teams through complex technology-based projects in the energy sector. His work in this arena has led to significant increases in profitability and scalability, particularly for national energy corporations. He has consulted on a number of high-risk, high-stakes projects throughout his career with significant organizational and governmental implications across a range of industries. Driven to turn challenges into assets, Kelly draws on his robust experience in database architecture, risk management, and project coordination to lead the way toward strategic industrialization. In his role at PGC, Kelly has successfully built out the technology infrastructure and scaled the company’s overall capacity, transitioning from seven-figure to nine-figure revenues. He also established an Indigenous female-led medical testing joint venture. Today, he leads a team of executives in the design of clean technology development strategies and industrial control systems, including pioneering innovation in recoverable heat source technology.
Cory Adams
SVP, Fabrication
Cory brings over two decades of fabrication and design experience to Phoenix Group of Companies. As Senior Vice President of Fabrication, he expertly leads multiple teams in producing successful projects and is responsible for maintaining QA/QC standards, adhering to project budgets and timelines, and establishing a strong culture of safety for our module and fabrication facilities. Cory’s interdisciplinary teams rely on his forward-thinking project management skills to better address challenges that arise throughout their project activities. In addition to his technical abilities, he also possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills which allow him to foster trust and develop relationships between team members, management, and stakeholders.
Shawn Adams
SVP, Field Operations
Shawn’s extensive hands-on field experience in the energy, natural resources, and petroleum sectors has proven immensely valuable for the Phoenix Group of Companies. Shawn applies proactive project management tools and methods to every project, evaluating and planning all relevant timelines, costs, risks, workforce considerations, and safety management methods in real-time for valuable insights for clients. Shawn brings a diverse construction background to fieldwork, as well as an educational background in mechanical engineering. Managing cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams comes naturally to Shawn, allowing him to coordinate team members, technical experts, and other project partners to more effectively work toward successful outcomes.
Bryan Ashcroft, CPA, CMA
Chief Financal Officer
Bryan’s extensive background in industrial financial oversight has proven a significant asset to PGC since 2018. As an experienced financial executive with a demonstrated track record of highly effective systems conversions, Bryan has consistently led our company toward fiscal responsibility, increased capacity, and improved profitability. His background includes leading numerous successful projects including complete ERP sourcing and installation, acquisition and integration of companies, and timely financial, management, and consulting services for the oil & gas construction, retail, and commercial industries. Bryan understands the immense value of process integrations in maintaining organizational agility. He has produced complex integrations between business processes and financial management systems. In his day-to-day, he guides a robust team of financial professionals who together provide the executive team with the financial leadership to accelerate the organization toward PGC’s long-term strategic goals. Bryan’s combined emphasis on forecasting, reporting, compliance, and analytics ensures we maintain accountability to our goals for growth and sustainability.
Mathew Lee
VP, Estimating
Mathew is the Vice President of Estimating for the Phoenix Group of Companies and oversees a robust estimating department directed at minimizing risk, optimizing opportunities, and maximizing profitability. Drawing on skills in forecasting, cost management, technology integration, and analytics, Mathew can skillfully identify potential concerns and propose pragmatic solutions early in the tender process. Mathew looks at all aspects of a proposal from a risk management perspective, ensuring that scopes, timelines, and objectives are clearly defined and cost management techniques have been applied. He also oversees the estimation process, making alterations and identifying new strategies when improvements can lead to better resource management. Applying decades of knowledge and experience to every proposal, Mathew prepares final tender submissions with high rates of success and excellent project outcomes.
Nathan Wylie
VP, Projects
Dedicated and accomplished with an illustrious career spanning 27 years across diverse industrial sectors, Nathan is a proven leader who has orchestrated successful projects while fostering collaborative environments and driving operational excellence.
Nathan is a seasoned project manager who embodies technical proficiency and industry insight as a skilled Journeyman Steamfitter/Pipefitter/Gas Fitter with a track record of successfully overseeing complex projects from conceptualization through to completion. Expertise includes Greenfield and Brownfield Projects, Module programs, Shutdowns & Turnarounds, and various phases of project lifecycle management.
Recognized for exceptional workface planning skills that streamline project execution, Nathan ensures seamless integration between design, procurement, and construction phases, contributing to project success and cost-effectiveness. He has managed diverse teams while in critical roles such as Superintendent and Construction Management.
Outside of the professional realm, Nathan is a devoted father to two remarkable daughters who cherishes family values. He embraces continuous improvement as a life philosophy, consistently striving for personal and professional excellence.
Michael Birch
Director, Contracts
As Director of Contracts, Michael applies a wealth of knowledge to all contracts and agreements by managing and setting realistic expectations and milestones. He brings a strong background in contract management and administration including review, negotiation, drafting, and interpretation, with specific expertise in industrial contract law. This expertise allows him to clearly communicate any and all change directives, change orders, and amending agreements in conjunction with the principles of contract law to all key stakeholders, conveying legal requirements in accessible language. In addition to hands-on preparation and drafting of documents, contracts, and policies, Michael provides data-driven recommendations to the executive team. He acts as a single point of contact for vendors, partners, clients, subcontractors, and any other parties concerning contractual matters, liaising between parties for improved overall contract management and dispute resolution.
Keith Carter
Manager, Central Warehouse
Keith is the Central Warehouse Manager for Phoenix Group of Companies, excelling in a multi-faceted approach to project lifecycle management. Since joining Phoenix in 2011, his role focuses on supplying and stocking materials and consumables, ensuring all tools and equipment are properly certified and insured, arranging Mob and Demob transport and deliveries, keeping detailed logs, and managing weekly meetings to review upcoming requirements. Keith is especially skilled in maintaining precise records and using clear, concise communication among all internal and external teams to keep a project on time and on budget. His background in purchasing and materials coordination has been a valuable addition to our support teams.
Rachel Grafton
Manager, Corporate Document Control
As an organizer and detail-oriented person the Corporate Document Control Manager position is one where Rachel thrives. In addition to ensuring accuracy, writing, editing, training, process improvement, quality control, turnovers, and project support; internal communication and communication with Clients is one of the aspects where Rachel excels. Our top priority is to work with our Clients to meet all of their requirements and to build a working relationship that speaks to the dedication and commitment of the Phoenix team. Rachel contributes to various company aspects, from building corporate procedures and systems, to assisting our bidding department, and executing projects. Some of the large projects Rachel has helped execute are: Cenovus Energy in Foster Creek AB, NWR Sturgeon Refinery in Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Inter Pipeline Heartland Petrochemical Complex in Fort Saskatchewan AB. Rachel holds certificates in AIIM Electronic Records Management and Supervisory Communication Skills. With many years of public speaking experience and music competitions with the Royal Conservatory, Rachel has the dedication and drive to achieve goals and objectives.
Roozbeh Leylabi, P.Eng.
Manager, Corporate QA/QC
With over 18 years of profound expertise in production, fabrication, and QA/QC in the dynamic oil and gas industry, Roozbeh assumes a pivotal role in spearheading the meticulous oversight of quality assurance and quality control endeavors across the company’s projects and operational spectrum.
As an accomplished professional in the domains of Materials, Metallurgy, and Welding Engineering, Roozbeh boasts the distinguished title of an International Welding Engineer (IWE), bolstered by an impressive array of certifications spanning welding inspection, pressure equipment integrity assessment, and quality management system.
Roozbeh’s paramount mission is to orchestrate the delivery of superlative products and services to our esteemed clientele. This devotion harmoniously intertwines with his pursuit of elevating the tenets of safety, operational efficiency, and eco-sustainability, thereby infusing an indelible mark of distinction upon our processes and practices.
Steven Mandoli
Manager, Human Resources & IT
Steve brings a diverse background to our team including experience with technology, human resources, communications, administration, and advisory roles. He has been instrumental in helping implement a number of innovative internal processes and systems for Phoenix that continue to support our initiative of digital solutions that keep costs low and efficiency high. Steve’s leadership in this area is bolstered by his willingness to support the team as a whole in any way possible.
Caleb Martin
Manager, Planning and Integration
Caleb has over 15 years of experience in managing construction projects ranging from residential and commercial to oil & gas and heavy industrial. He excels in maintaining managing and maintaining up-to-date reporting for stakeholders in every project phase, with a focus on quality and accuracy to budget, schedules, and project scope to mitigate potential risks. This dedication to detail has garnered his continued success in even the most complex or challenging projects and has been a crucial asset to the success of our projects.
Krystal Allaire
Senior Finance Coordinator
Krystal joined the Phoenix Group in 2008 in Document Control and quickly worked her way up in the company. Her skills with the organization of complex, robust financial data, administration prowess, and document control and tracking have been invaluable to our team’s success. Today, she is our Senior Finance Coordinator and is responsible for managing accounts receivables and supporting the enhancement of PGC’s procurement process.
Carol Dawson
Payroll Administrator
Carol has managed payroll and contracts for Phoenix Group of Companies since 1997. Her skill in managing complex volumes of information for both internal team members and external stakeholders has proven invaluable to the growth and sustainability of our company. With a diverse background in a range of financial, administrative, and operational departments, Carol is expertly equipped to troubleshoot challenges and manage the myriad of ongoing processes and procedures that are required for any project.
Robyn Villebrun
President of Medika North
Robyn Villebrun is a local First Nation Female Entrepreneur of Treaty 8. She is the President of Medika North Inc. – a Northern Alberta Indigenous Health Service Company and a subsidiary of the Phoenix Industrial Group of Companies.
Robyn Villebrun an Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Member and local to the RMWB is a Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nurse from the University of Alberta, and a Certified Occupational Health Nurse from MacEwan University. Robyn is from the communities of Fort Smith NWT & Fort Chipewyan, Alberta – currently residing in Fort McMurray Alberta. She is raising her two children – a 14-year-old daughter who is excelling in school and has been an honor roll student since elementary, and a 7-year-old son who is an avid hockey player.
Robyn is currently on the board with the Northern Lights Health Foundation and a huge community supporter in supporting Fort McMurray’s only hospital – with yearly donations. She volunteers within the community and is a huge promoter for Indigenous education – her company recently donated $20,000.00 to Post-Secondary Education for local Indigenous Students.
Raised traditionally by her grandparents, Robyn comes with traditional values and aligning them with western values – she states this brings a sense of balance of who she is and how her company operates successfully.
Need Help?
Our company also works directly with industry partners such as the Alberta Apprenticeship Board to provide a solid foundation for new tradesmen looking to enter the industry through continuous learning and onsite training.