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After high school I left my family’s dairy farm in southern Ontario and headed for the West Coast on my motorcycle.  I had just seen the movie “Easy Rider” and had visions of traveling across Canada and the States.  Reality (and poverty) set in by the time I got to Vancouver.  I ended up living in the city and, as I had enjoyed drafting in high school, decided to take the Structural Steel Detailing course at Vancouver Vocational Institute.

I started my career in scenic White Rock working for a local drafting company. After five years, I returned to Ontario to pursue a degree in Agriculture.  However, it soon became obvious that drafting was a more suitable career choice for me.

I returned to B.C. and worked for Dowco Consultants in Langley.  At that time, Dowco was the only detailing company in BC involved in computers. This was considered a very progressive venture at the time.  Dowco have continued to be on the leading edge of computer technology with the Xsteel program from TEKLA Structures.

After two years, I left to work at Candraft, remaining there as a Senior Project Manager for 19 years, working on many interesting projects including numerous high-rise buildings and bridges.

Four years ago it was time for another dramatic change.   I decided to move back to Ontario to be closer to my family. The climate took some getting used to, but I’m learning how to shovel this white stuff again.

I began work at TSD in August 2001 and am now part of the Dowco family again.

Hazel and I live in Milton with our 3 cats. We are happy living in a small town setting, enjoying the Farmer’s Market and the scenic countryside nearby.  We are currently renovating and landscaping our home and finding lots of projects to do. This keeps us very busy, though I do find a little time to cruise the back roads on my motorcycle.  

Don Shaver