ACS Team
Meet the Commercial Construction Management Dream Team
Founded in 2014, Ashton Construction Services (ACS) is proud to be a growing company. Our team currently consists of 25+ skilled professionals. Thanks to our incredible team, we’ve grown to be the Bow Valley’s largest and most reputable commercial construction company.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, our employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We don’t discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by country, regional or local law.
ACS Leadership Team
Steve Ashton, C.E.T., LEED AP, N.C.S.O., Founder, President & CEO of Ashton Construction Services (ACS)
Steve founded ACS in 2014. Under his leadership, ACS has grown into the largest and most reputable construction management firm in the Bow Valley.
With almost 20 years of construction management experience, Steve has always worked in construction. Steve graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) with honours in Civil Engineering Technology.
Steve believes in giving back to his local community through volunteering and donating to non-profit organizations, including being a Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association (BOWDA) board member (2023) and serving as chairman of the board for the Canmore Community Housing for five years.
Vic Fitch
Chief Financial Officer
A financial professional with broad experience in financial operations, management, strategy, and creative solutions for leading companies undergoing change, Vic holds an MBA, CPA, and CGA.
Vic is responsible for projecting and monitoring ACS’ financial health. One of the things he loves most about working with ACS is assisting the Leadership Team in navigating the challenges of rapid growth and seeking sustainable ways to improve the lives of ACS’s great team.
Team member since 2022.
Laurie Cantello
Office Manager
Having been raised by a Swiss Master Carpenter, construction is in Laurie’s blood. With her strategic and relationship-based approach to work, Laurie knows how to take care of our team!
Responsible for overseeing our safety program administration, Laurie looks for improvements while also ensuring COR compliance. Laurie also manages People Support and oversees the office and helps with IT. She also helps with building the company strategy and assists in all marketing activities.
Team member since 2019.
Ryan Houston
Vice President of Operations
Ryan is a Red Seal Certified Electrician by trade and has 17+ years of commercial and industrial management experience. Ryan is skilled at safety program and asset management, integrated automation, access control & surveillance, asset integrity, engineering, and rope access projects and business units.
Responsible for maintaining a safe working environment, Ryan oversees the day-to-day operations of ACS as well as managing people and project timelines and budgets to ensure ACS is meeting its overall goals and objectives.
Team member since 2023.
ACS Team
Brendan Halge
Site Superintendent
With over 20 years of construction experience, Brendan is responsible for representing ACS on our project worksites. Passionate about safety, Brendan ensures trades and project partners are trained accordingly. He also coordinates project schedules and tracks trade and other project partners.
Brendan has studied Construction Management fundamentals, is certified with St. Johns and has his Commercial Vehicle Fitness and Supervisor Safety certificates.
Team member since 2023.
Claire Walsh
Junior Site Superintendent
Claire ensures everyone stays safe while on-site and works with clients and trades to ensure projects run smoothly. Claire is skilled at making every effort to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
She’s obtaining her Professional Site Supervisor qualification and holds multiple First Aid, Emergency Response, and other industry certifications.
Team member since 2022.
Darby Ogle
Project Manager
With a certificate in Project Management, a Project Leadership Certification, and a Construction Engineering Technology Diploma, Darby is skilled at managing construction projects.
Responsible for managing project budgets, Darby communicates with the project consultants, clients, and trades. She also coordinates the project scopes and schedules with the site teams.
Team member since 2022.
Jeremey Klinger
Site Superintendent
Responsible for managing trades, schedules, and client service since 2018. Jeremy understands how to read construction plans, and he excels at building relationships with our clients and acting as a liaison on projects.
Three things Jeremy likes most about working with ACS include the positive work environment, the company’s commitment to a job done right, and the opportunity to take on new challenges.
Team member since 2018.
Kurtis Jones
Site Superintendent
Kurtis is responsible for managing our extensive network of local sub-trade partners to help keep projects running on schedule. He also takes care of site coordination and quality assurance.
Kurtis enjoys learning new ways to build, and work as a team, to complete different styles of commercial construction projects successfully.
Team member since 2020.
Melissa Delgado
Project Manager
Melissa is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) with a background in restaurant construction projects in Banff, Alberta. She is responsible for procurement, permitting, and transitioning projects between sales and operations.
Melissa has a strong background in scheduling, human resource management, and creative problem solving.
Team member since 2023.
Omar Angeles
Business Development
From oil and gas, underground, road and bridges, metal buildings, and building envelopes, Omar brings over 30 years of construction experience to the ACS team.
Passionate about business development, Omar enjoys meeting new people and taking on unexplored challenges. Omar has a keen interest in the initial steps of project development and would love to chat with you about your next commercial construction project and how ACS can help you build a successful business.
Team member since 2021.
RJ Bender
Project Manager
Born and raised in Canmore, RJ started his construction career in 2006 and earned his Civil Engineering Technology Diploma in 2010.
As a certified Engineer Technologist RJ has a strong work ethic and is committed to customer satisfaction. With a proven track record for successfully completing high-quality builds on time and on budget, RJ’s unique blend of field and project management construction experience makes him a valuable member of the ACS project team.
Team member since 2019.
Robbie Thomson
Accounting Manager
As a CPA and CMA with over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance, Robbie works with our CFO to oversee financial operations including AP/AR, job cost accounting, payroll, and cash flow management.
With an entrepreneurial background, Robbie enjoys working with great people and has fun doing it. He appreciates ACS’s open and honest communication, core values, and active leadership.
Team member since 2022.
Tara Lockwood
Project Manager
Tara is a Professional Engineer with over 12 years experience in the construction and oil and gas industries. She manages project schedules and budgets while working with clients to help keep the vision of their projects on track and on budget.
Tara also procures finishes and works closely with the Site Superintendents and field team to find solutions to any on-site problems.
Team member since 2019.
Thomas Achenbach
Project Manager
Thomas holds a Master’s of Science from Simon Fraser University and is responsible for managing multi-family construction projects, ordering project supplies, problem solving any issues and helping keep schedules on track.
Known for his 20+ years of experience in construction, multi-family and mixed-use developments, Thomas has worked on over 30 projects in his career in the Bow Valley, Calgary, and Airdrie, Alberta.
Team member since 2020.
Toby Ianson
Senior Site Superintendent
As part of our multi-family team, Toby is responsible for building and executing work schedules. Toby is skilled at collaborating with sub-trade partners to overcome construction issues and helps ensure the worksite is safe.
Toby is the proud recipient of multiple professional construction management qualifications and is working towards his Professional Site Manager certification.
Team member since 2019.