Dave Kinley’s volunteer work with the Calgary Construction Association
Dave Kinley, founder and CEO of Concept Electric was a remarkable individual, and his life focused on his two families. Dave loved and adored his beautiful wife Shelley and was a proud and loving father of his three sons, Devin, Mason and Regan, their partners and his grandchildren. Dave’s other family was all those men and women who worked closely as a highly skilled construction team at Concept Electric.
A crucial ingredient of Dave’s success in life was his energy, and Dave was the kind of person whose energy was derived by spending time with other people.
Dave had tremendous leadership skills, he was honest, humble and was a great communicator. He listened to everyone, whether it be an owner wanting to build a multi-million dollar complex or that of a high school drop-out who was trying to find meaning in life. Dave’s passion was to help individuals, many of whom left high school without graduating, and thus found it difficult to find a job. Dave was instrumental in the development of the YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (YEP) in 1998 which was a membership service offered by the Calgary Construction Association (CCA). Dave chaired the YEP committee of business leaders for seven years, which resulted in placing hundreds of young people in a three-week, paid work experience, which then gave the individual the opportunity to train as an apprentice in one of the several apprenticeship construction trades of their choice. Those young men and women have moved forward, building themselves a career that will take them through life’s journey on the high road, thanks to the volunteer work of Dave Kinley and his committee.
Dave gave more than just his time, his business contributed funds to the founding of the CCA Education Fund in the year 2000, the annual CCA Education Fun-raising Golf Tournament, along with participating in the construction industries annual Construction Career Expo.
In 2009 Dave was the CCA PERSON OF THE YEAR for his contributions to the construction community.
In 2010 Dave Kinley of Concept Electric was one of 23 companies that made the commitment to professional development for his staff through the national GOLD SEAL PROGRAM of Education, Experience and Exam.
In 2012 the CCA in partnership with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training commenced in offering an annual scholarship in perpetuity in DAVE KINLEY’s name as a CHAMPION OF EDUCATION.
By the year 2014 Dave Kinley had hired 37 youth to work at Concept Electric through the CCA Youth Employment Program. Dave was awarded CCA’s BUILDING FUTURES AWARD.
In the year 2015 Dave Kinley was presented the CCA TED WALDEN AWARD, the construction industry’s most prestigious award, for commitment and dedication to enhancing the business environment for the Institutional/Commercial/Industrial construction community.
Dave believed in the motto: “If you don’t change, you don’t grow”. Change takes energy, that crucial Dave Kinley ingredient to success!
Dave, THANK YOU for all your hard work over the years as a CCA Director and Chair of the Youth Employment Program.
May you REST IN PEACE.
Dave Smith, CCA President 1984 -2017
