MICHAEL LIO, P.Eng, M.Eng

Michael is a professional engineer who has consulted on projects and publications across North America relating to housing.  He has worked with builders, developers, product manufacturers, and governments across Canada for more than 30 years. Michael has served on the boards of the TSSA, ESA, Tarion, and most recently the Home Construction Regulatory Authority.

Michael has facilitated hundreds of training sessions for audiences across Canada. He also taught a variety of housing courses in the Architecture Program at Ryerson University for 12 years and for 15 years he taught building science and building technology and ecology at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto.

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He is a recognized building code expert having served on both the Ontario Advisory Committee and the NBC Part 9 Committee. Most recently he completed the analysis work for NRC on harmonization of the OBC and the NBC.

DAVE HENDERSON

Dave has over 30 years’ experience in the residential construction industry spanning a variety of positions from hands-on trade experience to building codes and policy development with Tarion and the HCRA.

Dave brings a wealth of practical experience to his training role, having been a renovator and handyman. He has worked with Brookfield Residential as the Supervisor of Quality Assurance for the Ontario Division where he developed total quality management processes and procedures. He was a co-author of Tarion’s Construction Performance Guidelines and participated in every Ontario Building Code amendment process with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing since 1992.

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Dave has held various policy roles including as Operations Manager at Tarion, Senior Builder Education Advisor and policy analyst for the HCRA, and Director, Industry Relations for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. He has recently joined the staff at the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) as Senior Manager, Technical Services where he continues to provide advice and guidance to residential builders.

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Dave is recognized across Canada for his technical expertise and as a problem-solver for home builders. We are delighted to have him share his expertise with our home building community.

EDDY ACETI, CPA, CGA, BA, LPA

Eddy has over 20 years of accounting experience the majority of which was served in public accounting. Eddy’s industry expertise includes construction, medical and other professional services, manufacturing, finance and mineral exploration.

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In addition to being a licensed public accountant in Ontario, Eddy is a Certified Acceptance Agent listed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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Eddy is the lead audit partner for the firm. Outside of the firm Eddy has volunteered his time as a member of the finance committee for the ALS Society of Ontario.

LEOR MARGULIES, B.C.L., LL.B.

Leor Margulies is the real estate group leader at Robins Appleby LLP and has been a respected member of the Toronto real estate community for 40 years. His valuable legal counsel is sought out by financial institutions, real estate developers, property owners, and builders. Some of his longstanding clients include the BMO, RBC, Laurentian Bank,Meridian Credit Union, Kingsett Capital the Sorbara Group, ElAd Canada, Kylemore Communities, Sean Mason Homes and Aspen Ridge.

Leor specializes in residential high/low-rise development and construction financing, with an emphasis on condominiums. His real estate group handles all types of commercial and industrial developments, leasing and financing, including innovative public and private joint ventures and co-tenancies.

Since 1999, Leor has served as a director/secretary of BILD, representing BILD on numerous industry issues.

CLIFFORD BLUNDELL, P.Eng

Cliff’s practice focuses on the areas of professional negligence and construction disputes under the Tarion regime and ONHWP Act, CCDC Contracts, Construction Liens and Adjudication, Commercial Leases, Professional Disciplinary hearings, Insurance Law, section 128 Insurance Act Appraisal, and Arbitration.

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Born and raised in Toronto, Clifford obtained a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1982 and attained the designation of Professional Engineer in 1986 followed by the Certificate of Authorization in 1996 from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario.

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After working as a professional engineer in Canada for over 20 years, Clifford received an LLB from the National University of Ireland Galway in 2008, after which he attended the Honourable Society of the King’s Inns, in Dublin, Ireland and was called to the Bar Council of Ireland in 2010. Clifford returned to Ontario to be called to the Bar in 2015.

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Clifford participates in rudimental drumming competitions throughout Canada and the US and enjoys boxing and spinning in his spare time.

JESSICA LACEY, CPA, CA

Jessica is Partner and Business Advisor with MNP’s Real Estate and Construction Services team in Markham. Jessica works closely with homebuilders, land developers, condominium developers, and commercial and multi-residential property owners to help them realize their goals, proactively plan for the future and achieve peace of mind.

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Drawing on over a decade of experience, Jessica delivers a full suite of assurance, tax and strategic planning services. She brings varying areas of expertise together to problem solve for her clients’ changing needs, particularly relevant for her multi-generational clients. She enjoys often going beyond the conventional scope of accounting to help her clients make strong business decisions.

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Jessica earned an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (HBCom) from Lakehead University. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA). Jessica is also an active member of the Building and Land Development (BILD) Association in the GTA.

MATTHEW GONSALVES

Matt Gonsalves is a Vice President with Foremost Financial. Since January 2012 Matt has worked with hundreds of builders & developers to finance land purchases, site servicing, the construction of custom homes, townhomes, small condominiums, and commercial construction. He is responsible for every aspect of the loan from when it is quoted to when the loan has been paid off.

Foremost Financial is a mortgage lender that specializes in small infill construction financing. The company structures each loan to meet its clients’ unique needs. www.foremost-financial.com

Matt Gonsalves received a Bachelor of Business Administration Honours degree (with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics) from Wilfrid Laurier University.

PAIGE CREWSON

Paige Crewson is a construction lawyer with twenty years' experience and an undergraduate degree in building science.  She has lived and worked in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, and has advised on major infrastructure and energy projects and disputes around the globe, often in the context of public private partnerships and other project-finance structures. With both a technical and legal understanding of the issues that arise in construction, she is able to help course participants place legal concepts into the reality of their daily work.  Paige communicates difficult concepts using readily understood language and illustrative examples. 

Michael Hutter, CPA, CA

Michael is a Senior Manager with MNP’s Real Estate and Construction Services team in Markham. He specializes in providing assurance, accounting, and taxation services to private clients. Michael has extensive experience working with high-rise and low-rise developers and builders, commercial and residential property operators, and commercial construction businesses.

Michael received a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree (with a specialization in accounting) as well as a Graduate Diploma in Accounting, both from Queen’s University. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA).

Joseph Lombardi

Armed with a background in Construction Engineering Technology, Joe has 15 years of progressive experience in the residential construction industry. 

Joe has worked collaboratively alongside everyone from land development, pre-construction start ups, a wide variety of subcontractors, different architects and engineers, municipal inspectors in multiple regions and is highly experience in customer service. From working with post-construction departments to obtain assumptions on completed projects to interactions with homeowners throughout the process of building their dream home.

Before joining the supervisor path, Joe got his construction start doing steel stud framing and drywall installation. Throughout his managerial career, Joe has worked in a variety of positions within the industry, including: labourer, handyman, finishing super, assistant super, warranty manager, PDI inspector, and head site supervisor. Joe’s diverse expertise have spanned various projects in numerous municipalities from high volume production, to estate homes, custom homes, country homes, and live/work units.