British Airways Lounge, Vancouver International Airport.

Like many entrepreneurs, Stephane Mitchell worked for several large companies before deciding he could find a better way to do business on his own. He established Mitchell Project Management in 1996, in an effort to get more hands-on experience and improve himself, he notes. “I found it very hard to get to that next level in management working for these large national companies,” he says. “A lot of times in larger construction firms, people get promoted because of who they know rather than what they know – it’s the old boys’ club.”

Instead, Mitchell bought a truck and began taking on castin- place and pre-cast concrete stair form work on spec, which led to bigger opportunities.

The Richmond, British Columbia-based company soon began taking on renovation projects for A&B Sound, a large electronics/ CD retail outlet store chain in western Canada. Other retail and restaurant projects followed, and “I never looked back,” Mitchell says. “We grew our team a little bit bigger and better and worked for a lot of national brands right from inception.” His brother, Boreal Mitchell, is the company’s vice president and co-owner.

Boreal Mitchell, who studied biological sciences prior to coming on board with his brother, works as the head estimator, as well as the project manager on airport projects. “I enjoy the atmosphere and the professionalism at [Vancouver International Airport],” he adds.

“Working out here you really get to work and meet with a lot of talented individuals in all aspects of the construction industry, from other project managers to engineers and architects.”

The company’s national accounts in Canada include The Spectra Group of Restaurants Inc., which owns brands such as Bread Garden, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and The Boathouse. It also works with CARA, which owns Milestones Bar & Grill, Swiss Chalet, Montana’s & Kelsey’s. Mitchell Project Management began its work in airports through CARA’s former air terminal restaurants division, which it owned until recently....

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