mechanical engineer

structural engineer

estimator

designer

director of people & culture

Whitewater West

The company moved to Bridgeport road, Richmond in 1986 from Penticton, BC, Canada. I was the first structural/project engineer specialist hired in 1986. Worked from 1986-1994, 1996/1997, 2013-2016

Daily, I am the mentor of the designers, engineers, PMs, contractors, estimators, sales, manufacturing, field supervisor, almost everybody. Created slide, arm, foundation programs, project binders of every slide, supports,foundation and connection details. Dealing with QA/QC, RFIs, RFAs, IFAs, IFCs, Value Engineering, Independent Structural Design Review.

I learned and applied Dynamic Achievement-Powering Excellence” about “Creating a Culture of Service Excellence”. What I learned, I applied and made me “A Vertical Mind” person. I did all projects with emphasis and attention to details, fast track design ,wow integrity, fantastic attitude, delivers work on budget on time or ahead of schedule, mentor team mates to facilitate completion of projects, with a vertical mind set - provided customer intimacy to clients and team mates with clients and team mates feeling satisfied and happy. 

The management provided town hall meeting every 3 months for all employees. 

The hardest part of the job is how to make EVERYBODY happy specially the people who have SILO mentality.

The most enjoyable is when I am given a challenge to do a job in short notice and complete it on time on budget and ahead of schedule. Interaction with the client making them happy and call me friend. As part of the Lead team, the company was awarded excellence award in 1992 in BC and Canada and awarded again last year 2015.

Chronic poor communication, in-fighting and epidemic micromanagement. The majority of management run on politics and personal agenda with no regard for the greater good or for doing what is right.

Decline in female leadership which seems to be spreading an air of "boys club" almost like an immature circle in high school.

There also seems to be a strange break from reality where the executive are concerned that has allowed the company to lose its foothold on being the best in the world and preferred supplier in the industry.

Losing more and more work to companies that used to be inferior. Hundreds of thousands have been spent on consulting companies and executive coaching only for the executive to completely ignore recommendations on how to improve the culture which has, in fact, taken a massive nose dive over the last few years.

They put new employees on a 6 month probationary period suck talented people's knowledge and get rid of them at any time if they "feel like it". I'm sure the Canadian News Board will have to pay attention to what is truly going on internally. On the outside, it looks very pretty. 


Even the most loyal and optimistic employees seem to be looking for work elsewhere. It is a tragic situation for those who have spent years being loyal, hard workers for a company that used to be a joy to work for.

DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY.

They only look good on the outside but on the inside this is just another scam like business. I heard from new employees their probationary period for new employees is 6 months which means they can kick you out anytime they want during this period. The management is rude and have no plans/clues whatsoever. So much ego and they only focus on playing politics rather than doing real work. There are no parking spots, it's an old building with substandard facilities silos, low pay, dysfunctional product development, and management talks a good story about continuous improvement. In reality they don't make any changes. Management is more interested in chasing the next big sale than adequately supporting projects already on the books. Outsourcing of manufacturing cutting local guys out and hire place cheaper. You don't want to last long here.

WhiteWaterWest offered me the opportunity to work with the most current hardware and software for my Practicum. I learned about many different technologies that were only briefly touched upon during my courses. The management there was very generous in providing me with a broad level of experience and provided me with a good understanding of the requirements of the Industry. The people I worked with there were always helpful and happy to share their knowledge. Overall I would have to say the best part of the job was getting to know the many different people throughout the company as I worked on their equipment.

This company is what you would think the average company would be,  you get good benefits and the management will take the time to hear you out, but at the same time they over value some aspects of the job and under value others, if you are the best in your department you are forever doomed to be in that position but without changing positions the financial payoff isn't there for the people that do the trades work.  So it is great for engineers and other office staff but for the blue collar guys it isn't great. it is a good stop gap to get you where your going ;D

A typical day at work would be entering the incoming invoices.  The accounting program was Solomon which I became very efficient and quick at in the payable portion of the program.  The management and my co-workers were professional but personable.  Hardest part of the job is month end.  The most enjoyable part of the job is everything else. The company builds water-slides all around the world.  What is not to like!

Whitewater is a great place to work and expose yourself to different areas of the supply chain
It is a very young and diverse and energetic workforce
The sky is the limit if you prove yourself 
WWI is a growing company with a lot of opportunity and promise

organizing the crew and tool box talk about completion/safety goals for the day and week. With reviews of work quality/safety up to the moment. Being able to come up with solutions to situations that are safe and within budget. 
Being on the road missing birthdays, weddings, funerals, most family/friends events.
Travelling the world is a perk as seeing some spectacular things and a lot of things not in travel brochures such as poverty and foreign labor practices.

the best work place culture - Canadian values of work and interpersonal communication.
decent travel condition premium economy in case of flying over 8 hours.
Very good hotel/accommodation provided. 

WW lacks serious commitment to quality and does not really value its employees, despite what it claims. Does not walk the talk in any meaningful way. Too much politics and not enough trustworthiness in executive management and HR.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Mechanical engineer 5 salaries reported	$22.00 per hour
Structural engineer 5 salaries reported	$22.00 per hour
Estimator 5 salaries reported	$85,000 per year
Designer 2 salaries reported	$78,250 per year
Director of people & culture 7 salaries reported	$168,571 per year

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