Sam Cutruzzola excited to be new OGCA chair

Inzola Construction Inc. president Sam Cutruzzola, the incoming chair of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA), got his feet wet in the industry working summers both on-site and in the office at the Brampton, Ont. construction company.

He joined Inzola eight months after graduating in 1979. The company is active primarily in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors of the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding region. “I thought construction was challenging and exciting,” says Cutruzzola, who attended George Harvey Secondary School in Toronto’s west end prior to enrolling in the construction technology program at the Casa Loma campus of George Brown College.

In addition to being a certified engineering technologist, Cutruzzola is Gold Seal certified.

During his career at Inzola, Cutruzzola has undertaken everything from construction co-ordination, site supervision and estimating to looking after the design-build side of the company’s operations. “It takes a lot of time,” he says of the process of working with owners to put the program in place on a design-build project and hiring architects and consultants. Inzola also undertakes construction management and fixed-price contracts. It recently completed a $20 million, LEED Gold office building in Mississauga.

“We’re happy with what we do,” says Cutruzzola.

“We don’t need to be the biggest. We don’t need to be on every street corner. Without a doubt, there still is a role for smaller construction companies.”

The company was founded in 1967 by his cousins John Cutruzzola (the current CEO) and brothers Tony and Frank, who have passed away. away. It is community-minded. Inzola has been actively engaged in fundraising for such organizations as the Brampton Arts Council, the YMCA and currently, the new Peel Memorial Hospital.

At the association level, Cutruzzola has been active in the OGCA for close to 20 years. He joined the board of directors in 1997 and the executive committee in 2009. He has served on both the marketing and strategic planning committees.

Cutruzzola is an advocate of involvement in association activities.

“When you talk to your fellow contractors and listen to what they have to say about the problems they are facing, you realize that it is not just you,” he says. “People are concerned about the same issues. We have some great people on the board who really share their insight and provide support.”

The current board has representation from some of the largest general contracting firms in the province in addition to small and medium-sized firms.

Current items that are on the association’s plate include bundling of projects, which Cutruzzola says has a negative impact on firms of all sizes, tender disputes, skilled labour shortages, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board issues, the Ontario College of Trades and prompt payment legislation.

Cutruzzola is impressed with the progress being made by the Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO). The organization, whose members include the OGCA, recently shined a spotlight on problems surrounding bundling of alternatively financed and procured projects.

“I’ve only been involved in the CDAO in the last few months, but I am really impressed with the group and its strategies,” he says. “I think it is a tremendous strength for the industry. I think they’ve made huge inroads in the past year or two. They certainly deserve a pat on the back.” Cutruzzola assumes office during the OGCA’s upcoming 75th annual general meeting and conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. The association represents some 200 general contracting companies across the province.

Written by Patricia Williams | Published Daily Commercial News