On Tuesday September 30th, in our London office, balloons filled the halls, photos of Grant Hall’s face covered walls and desks, and a life-size cut-out of him greeted visitors at his office door. It was all part of a lighthearted surprise for a very serious milestone: our founding principal, Grant Hall, marking 40 years as a professional engineer.
This anniversary carries special weight, because 2025 is also the year Callidus Engineering celebrates 20 years in business. Two timelines, deeply connected, converging at the same moment.
The Story of Grant and Callidus Engineering
Grant’s career began in the mid-1980s, and like so many engineers of his generation, it started with determination and a willingness to carve his own path. After early experience in established firms, he launched J.E.D. Engineering from his own family room, named for his three children: Joshua, Elizabeth, and Daniel. It was an entrepreneurial leap that reflected not just technical ability but also a drive to build something lasting.
By the late 1990s, J.E.D. had grown beyond a home office. New hires joined, many of whom remain part of our leadership team today. The foundation of Callidus Engineering was set. In 2005, J.E.D. merged with M.G.G. Engineering, and Callidus Engineering was born. Alongside co-founders Michael Gubesch and Matthew VanGilst, Grant helped establish a firm that combined technical excellence with a people-focused culture.
That culture continues to define Callidus Engineering. What began as a small group in London is now a team of more than fifty professionals working across three Ontario offices: London, Kingston, and Kitchener-Waterloo. Thousands of projects have been completed, in sectors ranging from healthcare to industrial to community spaces.
It is a story of growth, but at the heart of it has always been people, and Grant has been central to that.
A Mentor, Colleague, and Friend
Over four decades, Grant has been many things to many people: a mentor who insists on understanding “what the code really says,” a colleague with a sharp eye for detail, and a friend whose kindness and humour leave lasting impressions.
Those who worked with him in the early days remember the late nights, the road trips, and the blurring of work and family life when engineering drawings were reviewed at kitchen tables. Others recall his steady encouragement to think differently, to question assumptions, and to pursue solutions that make sense in practice as well as on paper.
The stories are countless. Shortcut keys in AutoCAD, his ability to nod off mid-review, and countless moments of humour have become part of Callidus Engineering lore. What they all reveal is a professional life lived with dedication, generosity, and a willingness to laugh along the way.
The Celebration
This week’s celebration captured that mix of respect and playfulness. Staff organized a trivia challenge: code questions from mechanical and electrical regulations to the Ontario Building Code. The rules were simple: if Grant answered first, he won; if someone else beat him to it, the team claimed victory.
It was a spirited contest, full of laughter, with Grant proving once again why so many still turn to him when a tricky clause or interpretation arises.
After the games came speeches, memories, and words of thanks. Team members reflected on what they’ve learned from him, the mentorship he’s offered, and the generosity he’s shown through decades of leadership. Grant himself expressed gratitude back, emphasizing that the company’s success belongs to the entire team.
Two Anniversaries, One Story
The coincidence of celebrating Grant’s 40 years in engineering during Callidus Engineering’s 20th year highlights how closely his story and the company’s are tied together. Without Grant’s leap to form J.E.D. Engineering all those years ago, there would be no Callidus Engineering today. Without his mentoring of younger staff, many of whom are now leaders themselves, there would be no strong foundation for the future.
As Grant continues to guide the next generation, and as Callidus Engineering looks forward to its next 20 years, this shared milestone is a reminder of what has always mattered most: the people who build, learn, and grow together.
Grant’s 40 years of engineering represent more than a personal milestone. They represent the story of Callidus Engineering itself, a story of dedication, community, and a belief that the best work is done not just with technical excellence but with integrity and care.
This week, we celebrated that story. And in doing so, we celebrated the values that will continue to guide Callidus Engineering for decades to come.
On his 40th anniversary in the industry, we asked Grant some questions reflecting on his career.
Q. Looking back 40 years, what moments stand out to you as the turning points that shaped your career and the creation of Callidus Engineering?
Grant: Key turning points in my Career of 40 years would be centred around three specific events.
- The first was my decision to leave a partnership position with Smylie and Crow (my first engineering job.) after being head-hunted by a firm in Kitchener who were opening an office in London, ON.
- The second event was being laid-off by that Kitchener firm 18 months after being hired. The economy was not supporting their growth plans when I was hired so I was an easy axe from their payroll. That lay-off lead to the formation of J.E.D. Engineering operating from the family room of our home at the time on the corner of Highbury Ave and Medway Road, north east of London.
- The third event would be the opportunity to work with other small firms to provide expanded engineering services to our clients. This included Hi-Tech Engineering in 1994 and MGG Engineering around the same time period.
- The fourth major event would be the office move of J.E.D Engineering in 1997 into new facilities designed for a small home office. That office allowed for additional staff to be hired which resulted in Matthew, Jen, Andy M, Andrew H, Nick L and Erica P becoming J.E.D Engineering contract employees. It was from this core staff that Callidus Engineering was formed.
- The fifth event would be the hires noted above. From 2000 to 2005 the above staff were added to the workforce of J.E.D. Engineering allowing it produce more and more work for projects of larger size and complexity. The relationship with MGG Engineering strengthened as well during this time and our work with DI projects through Gibbs-Wilson was just beginning
- The in February March 2005 J.E.D Engineering merged with MGG Engineering to form Callidus Engineering and Myself, Michael Gubesch and Matthew VG were the original owners of the company.
- The rest is the history of God’s goodness to Callidus Engineering.
Q. When you think about Callidus Engineering today, what makes you most proud of the team and the work being delivered?
Grant: I am most proud of the quality of persons that Callidus is able to hire to continue the vision and mission of the company. The leadership team has worked hard to create a special company culture that we continue to strive to maintain and grow. Keep it up team!!
Q. What do you feel are the biggest accomplishments Callidus Engineering has achieved over its history so far?
Grant: The biggest accomplishments would be the opening of remote offices in two different Ontario cities. This was never in my vision for the company and I am indebted to Matthew, Jen, Nick, Derek, Russ and Zam for their vision of where the company could and can go and grow. You guys inspire me.
Q. How has your role and perspective as founder evolved as the company has grown and matured?
Grant: Certainly, my roles in the company have changed over the years and especially now that I am no longer an owner of the company. It is in much better hands now. I am here to mentor the younger staff into a way of thinking and viewing a project and helping to develop the skills that they need to be the next generation of engineers and designers. I love what I do in this new role.
Q. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Callidus Engineering and the next generation of its leaders?
Grant: I am looking forward to seeing the next generation of leaders pass on their skills, learning and vision to their cohorts as they lead the company forward in the years to come.