When clients choose a construction partner, they’re looking for more than workers and materials. They want assurance that their investment is protected — that every design decision has been informed, every schedule optimized, and every risk anticipated. That’s where PCL’s subject matter experts make the difference.

From structural integrity to modern estimating and quality assurance, our specialists bring deep experience and fresh thinking to address client priorities: lowering costs, accelerating delivery, and improving outcomes. Whether engaged early in design or brought in mid-project to solve a challenge, these experts deliver measurable value and peace of mind.

The following stories highlight just a few of the people behind that expertise — and how they help our clients achieve smarter, more successful projects.

Larry Karlson’s focus is on the bones of a building, the vertical and lateral structures that give a building its strength and rigidity. 

With more than four decades of experience, Karlson likes to get called in to review plans early in a project’s life. “It has to be early,” he says. “If I’m not early, the project might go down the wrong path and it can be tough to go back. It’s better to get involved early to discuss ideas and come to the best resolutions.”

One of Karlson’s standout contributions was on a recently completed hospital project. He reviewed the plans for the lateral bracing system and knew there was a better way, so he sat down with the engineering team. “They had a lot of unnecessary concrete walls, including around the elevator shafts,” he says. “I only put concrete where it’s most efficient structurally and use metal stud walls at locations where they’re appropriate, lowering costs.” The new configuration saved the project $25 million.

Karlson’s work spans high-rise towers, stadiums, hospitals and complex infrastructure projects. His focus is on reducing risk and lowering costs. He’s also a dedicated mentor, guiding teams to make smart, efficient structural decisions from the earliest stages of design. 

Whether it’s seismic resilience in California or foundation innovations in Calgary, Karlson’s fingerprints are on some of PCL’s most successful and cost-effective builds. His mantra: get involved early, think creatively, and always engineer for value.

Eric Orquiola brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise, strategic foresight and a collaborative spirit to his role as PCL’s director of preconstruction and estimating, and his impact is tangible. 

On a recent hotel project, a review of the initial design by Orquiola and team led to a reduction in floor-to-floor heights and the reconfiguration of layouts to add more revenue-generating rooms and better public spaces. The changes are estimated to have reduced construction time by two months, added $1.7 million in annual revenue by adding 27 more hotel rooms and saved the project $8 million on public space.

“Understanding a client’s business case for a project allows us to go beyond estimating costs,” says Orquiola. “Our work influences design decisions to maximize revenue, reduce inefficiencies and accelerate schedules, ultimately improving the client’s bottom line.”

His work is rooted in the belief that preconstruction is more than just numbers — it’s about partnership, telling a compelling story and understanding the client’s business model. He champions a proactive, client-centric approach, where estimators are not just cost advisors but strategic partners who help shape design decisions to maximize value and client revenue. 

Orquiola has applied the same discipline to all kinds of projects, including post-secondary institutions and residential projects.

Orquiola’s work exemplifies the future of preconstruction: integrated, insightful and deeply collaborative. His approach not only saves clients time and money — it helps them build smarter, more successful projects from the ground up.

Jeff Cumpston recently got called in to assess a project team working on a large student-housing project at a prominent university. He did a deep dive into the project’s documentation systems, inspection and testing plans and subcontractor-management programs. He then provided feedback and guidance to the team.

It may not be glamorous work — the client may never even be aware that Cumpston got involved — but it’s the kind of strategic contribution that can make a major difference in a project’s success.

“My goal is simple. I help teams deliver a high-quality product and a high-quality construction experience for clients the first time around,” says Cumpston. “By minimizing mistakes and rework, I help protect project timelines, budgets and client relationships.”

With more than 30 years in the construction industry, Cumpston brings a rare combination of hands-on field experience and strategic leadership to his role at PCL.

He started his career as a laborer and later served as a superintendent and corporate quality director, so he understands the challenges teams face on the ground. His approach is rooted in practical experience and a deep commitment to continuous improvement. He emphasizes the importance of quality risk management, ensuring things are done right the first time to avoid costly and disruptive fixes later.

Cumpston joined PCL after decades at a regional construction company, drawn by the opportunity to contribute to a larger organization with a strong culture of employee ownership and a deep commitment to excellence. His work is already making an impact, helping teams across districts simplify processes, improve consistency, and build lasting client trust.

Whether reviewing inspection and testing plans or mentoring young engineers, Cumpston’s presence ensures that quality isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a cornerstone of every successful project.

Karlson, Orquiola and Cumpston are just three of PCL’s in-house experts who help clients lower costs, speed delivery and improve outcomes, ensuring that every project can end in client success. For more examples of PCL’s in-house expertise, click here.