Features
Spotlight on excellence: Gary Sihota

In our 11th edition of the Top 20 Under 40 award, Canadian Forest Industries is shining a spotlight on the next-gen leaders who are making waves in our industry. These young champions are not just rising stars – they’re innovators, change-makers, mentors, and community builders. Over the next 20 weeks, we’ll introduce you to each of the 2023 winners.

Today, let’s get to know Gary Sihota, director of operations at Mid-South Engineering in Richmond, B.C.

Gary is a highly accomplished professional engineer. Throughout his career, Gary’s work ethic has been truly outstanding, describes his colleague Michael Sampson.

Starting as a design engineer, the 39-year-old’s proficiency in mechanical engineering and plant design has driven him to pursue excellence in all aspects of his work.

Specializing in facilities and plant design for sawmills, pellet plants, and wood processing facilities, Gary’s extensive knowledge has been instrumental in driving rapid growth and ensuring high-quality operations at Mid-South.

“A strength of Gary’s is his ability to inspire and lead others. Having successfully guided small teams, he now oversees the entire Richmond office. His leadership style fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the organization, resulting in heightened efficiency and outstanding outcomes,” says Sampson.

Gary’s pursuit of personal and professional development is evident through his constant engagement in training and education. He proactively seeks opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills, obtaining his P.Eng designation and earning a PMP certification. His commitment to staying abreast of industry trends reflects his dedication to growth and advancement. Active involvement in industry associations showcases Gary’s engagement and dedication to professional networks and knowledge exchange, furthering the growth of the engineering field.

Next up, we will showcase the achievements of winner Mark Symes.