2025 is a year of celebration for us at Callidus Engineering—our 20th anniversary! From 2005 to 2025, we’ve experienced two decades of engineering excellence, countless projects brought to life, and a journey made possible by the unwavering support of our incredible team and clients. This milestone is more than a number; it’s a testament to the relationships we’ve built, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the successes we’ve shared. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re excited to share this moment with all of you.

Our firm was founded in 2005, when Grant Hall and Michael Gubesch combined their expertise and merged their respective firms, J.E.D. Engineering and M.G.G. Engineering, and brought Matthew VanGilst in as a third owner, to create a company focused on making buildings work. Since then, the Callidus team has grown to a headcount approaching 60, with more than 600 years of combined experience, driving our ability to tackle a wide range of projects and challenges. What began as a small operation quickly flourished, fueled by a passion for excellence and a commitment to our clients.

In January 2017, our leadership team expanded to include long-time team members Derek Reid, Jennifer Stanley, Nick Lorusso, Russ Strathdee, and Zam Abdulla, each bringing their expertise and vision to help steer us into the future.

With their diverse experiences—spanning technical expertise, project leadership, and client collaboration—this team provides a multifaceted perspective. Each voice in our ownership group brings a unique lens, shaped by their specialized skills and experiences, which fosters better problem-solving and more grounded decision-making. It’s not just about expertise in engineering; it’s about understanding our clients, supporting our team, and ensuring Callidus Engineering can build long-lasting relationships on a foundation of trust.

Our first office opened in London in 2005 at 1615 N. Routledge Park. We quickly outgrew the space and moved down the road to our current location at 1385 N. Routledge Park in 2007. But we weren’t done growing yet—in 2015, we renovated the office to expand into an adjacent empty space.

In September 2017, we opened our Kingston office under the leadership of Derek Reid to better serve Eastern Ontario. In 2022, we established our Kitchener-Waterloo office with Zam Abdulla at the helm, further extending our reach into Southwestern Ontario. Along the way, we’ve delivered over 8,000 projects across Canada forming meaningful client partnerships and creating innovative designs that stand the test of time.

From the very beginning, we’ve lived our values.

In every project, relationship, and decision.

These values are more than just words; they’re the foundation of everything we do. They guide how we collaborate, solve problems, and support one another. By staying true to these values, we’ve cultivated trust, fostered growth, and delivered results that we’re truly proud of. This commitment has allowed us to grow into the thriving, respected firm we are today.

One of our greatest achievements has been fostering the growth and success of our team. Many of our staff began their journeys with us as co-op students, choosing to build their entire careers here, and some achieving their P.Eng. certifications while contributing to our story. Their dedication and passion inspire us every day, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.

As we’ve grown, so too has the scope of our work. We’ve ventured into fascinating sectors, tackling projects that preserve the character of historical buildings, support the operation of vital healthcare facilities, and enable buildings to function in the extreme conditions of the far north, and made critical contributions to much needed affordable housing in across Ontario. These projects highlight our adaptability and depth of expertise, and they’re a testament to the incredible talent and drive of our team. Reflecting on these milestones fills us with pride and excitement for what’s still to come.

Throughout 2025, we’ll be telling our story—our roots, our growth, and the moments that shaped us—right here on our website and across our social media channels. Stay tuned as we celebrate our history and look forward to the next chapter of Callidus Engineering. Most of all, thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to the next 20 years!