Not every corporate executive can look back at a volcano-induced flight ban as one of his fondest memories from a career spent traveling the globe. Of course, Canerector Vice President Jonathan Puddy is not your run-of-the-mill executive.
Throughout his career, he has embraced his work as he does his life – with joy and humor, which is evident to anyone who comes into his orbit. So, it should come as no surprise that when an Icelandic volcano eruption closed airspace over 20 countries in April 2010, Jonathan suggested he and his colleague turn being stranded in Amsterdam into an impromptu train tour through Europe.
“We started by touring around Amsterdam, then went to Belgium, and then I said, let’s hop on the high-speed train to Paris,” Jonathan said. “We had lunch in Paris and eventually made our way back to Brussels to try and get on a flight back. It was late April, beautiful blue skies – it was perfect.”
That same lemons-into-lemonade attitude has defined his career at Canerector which has now drawn to a close. After 22 years of dedication, sharp business acumen, and a relentless drive to make things better, Jonathan stepped into a well-earned retirement at the end of February. His career was celebrated with a lunch event at corporate headquarters and will be once again in June at the annual gathering for all Canerector’s company leaders.
A Man of Engineering, Adventure, and Acumen
Jonathan’s path to Canerector was anything but conventional. A quintessential engineer, he built his career solving practical problems and expanding his technical knowledge. After a decade of designing automation equipment for steel mills and traveling the world in the process, he realized he was ready for a new challenge. That led him to pursue an MBA at Queen’s University, a decision that coincided with the bursting of the dot-com bubble and a rapidly changing job market.
Despite the economic downturn, fate had a plan.
“As part of the MBA program, you had to send your resume out to two people, senior executives that you did not know, and get your resume critiqued,” he explains. “So, my dad said, my company just got bought by this guy in Toronto – Cecil Hawkins. Why don’t you send him your resume?”
That suggestion first put Jonathan on Cecil’s radar, then-owner of Canerector. Although that initial contact didn’t lead to a job, Jonathan would later get the offer to begin what would become a legendary tenure at the business.
“I was looking for someone to help me in acquisitions and in liaising with the companies,” Cecil explains. “Jonathan, with his experience in engineering and an MBA, seemed to be well suited to the responsibilities. Right away, I could see he was hard-working, conscientious, and smart. And it was fun having a younger person in our head office – the original four of us there were all quite a bit older, and we got a kick out of Jonathan’s eagerness and fresh take on everything.”
The Acquisition Scout with technical expertise
Jonathan’s technical background set him apart in those early months on the job. His ability to connect on a practical level helped him build trust, making acquisitions not just business transactions but long-term investments in people and operations.
“When you’re dealing with M & A, you’re mostly reaching out to owners of companies. I think they like talking to somebody technical who can relate to them,” Jonathan said. “I think that combined with the message that we’re not Wall Street. We’re not bankers, and we’re looking at longevity, not just a short turnaround, which really served us well.”
Operations & Real Estate: New Challenges are a Natural Fit
As Canerector expanded, so did Jonathan’s responsibilities. Six years into his tenure, his role evolved to include operations, taking on a leadership role overseeing multiple companies. His approach was never about command and control; he worked with business leaders rather than having them simply report to him. This philosophy fostered collaboration, innovation, and efficiency across the organization.
“I saw my role more as working with the teams so we all could succeed.”
Jonathan’s impact on operations was immediate and long-lasting. He played a pivotal role in assisting with business mergers and ensuring that Canerector’s acquisitions not only survived but thrived. He had an uncanny ability for spotting opportunities, using his experience with similar businesses to make key adjustments and turn struggling companies into profitable ones.
His uncanny ability for spotting opportunities also spilled over when his role evolved into real estate. Jonathan readily learned the ins and outs of the job and was a natural at reimagining under utilized facilities. Armed with his business acumen and ability to build strong, trusting relationships, Jonathan excelled in the role which played to his multi-faceted strengths.
“Real estate was supposed to be just a side thing. I thought I’d spend 80% of my time on acquisitions and the real estate would be on the side, but I found I really enjoyed doing it because you’re always trying to think outside the box. I’m going to miss that,” he said.
A Mentor and a Cultural Pillar
Beyond his technical expertise and business acumen, Jonathan has been a guiding force for many at Canerector. Known for his sharp wit and candid approach, he doesn’t give respect or praise lightly—but when he does, it carries weight. His style, though sometimes guarded at first, has always been rooted in fairness and loyalty. Once you earned his trust, he is in your corner for life.
“What I’ve always appreciated about Jonathan is his candor,” said Amanda Hawkins, Canerector’s CEO. “He never hesitates to speak his mind and has a way of pointing out the things he’s skeptical about with honesty, humor, and an endearing charm that makes you listen. And the thing is—he’s usually right”. That’s what two decades in this business, combined with intuition and intelligence, gets you. “His presence, his insights, and his frank but thoughtful perspective will be deeply missed. Wishing him all the best in this next chapter!” she went on to say.
“He’s one of my heroes, and we share many similarities,” explains Jonathan’s son, David Puddy, now an engineer at Conrex Steel, a Canerector company. “I’ve followed a similar path—same school, same major, and now working for the same company. Watching him throughout my life, whether standing beside him at his MBA graduation or now being part of the company, he’s retiring from, has been an incredible privilege.”
Reflections from Those Who Know Him Best
Cecil Hawkins recalls a moment that showcased Jonathan’s unexpected side. “Jonathan has always been practical and shunned the showy, so we were all surprised when he showed up in a souped-up flashy car one day. I teased him about it, and a few months later, he admitted, ‘With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps this wasn’t the best idea.’”
Beyond his professional impact, Jonathan and his wife Sue became integral parts of Canerector’s social fabric, especially at company events. Their presence brought warmth and camaraderie to our group, making new managers feel welcomed and creating friendships that would last a lifetime.
“Jonathan attended the Summer Manager Meetings, and got to know all of the general managers,” Cecil said. “As the years went by, he became friends with many and I suspect they will remain so for years to come.”
A Legacy That Will Endure
Jonathan’s departure from Canerector marks the end of an era, but his legacy is firmly embedded in the company’s DNA. His influence is felt in every corner of the business, from acquisitions to operations to real estate, through mentorship and cultural impact. His approach—work hard while having fun—has set a standard for future leaders to aspire to.
While the thought of retirement is bittersweet, those who know Jonathan best are confident that he will embrace this next chapter with the same curiosity and enthusiasm that defined his career. “I’m glad he’s retiring as a ‘young senior’ rather than an ‘old senior,” Cecil said. “He has the vitality to take on new hobbies and interests, and I hope he spends part of each day doing something productive. Retirement is a lot more fun when you still have a purpose.”
Looking back on the evolution of Canerector during his tenure, Jonathan is most proud of the fact that despite all the growth and change the company has enjoyed, it has still stayed true to its core philosophy.
“There’s a common practice in business for people to focus on the short term rather than the long term. But you have to understand that business cycles go up and down, and you have to remain focussed on the long term if you’re going to have sustained success, and I think the Hawkins family has maintained that,” Jonathan said.
As he sets off to enjoy a well-earned retirement, he leaves with one bit of parting advice for anyone whose journey with Canerector is in its early stages.
“Your work should add value to the bottom line. Period,” he said. “I’m a numbers guy, so if you can show how you’re contributing to the bottom line, take pride in that.”
These thoughts come as no surprise to Canerector’s SVP Matt Warden, who delivered the speech for Jonathan’s 20-year service award. In fact, the phrase ‘This guy knows how to make money” became a recurring theme as he highlighted the many ways Jonathan’s impact has been realized across the business.
Jonathan Puddy is truly one of a kind and undoubtedly contributed to the bottom line, but his legacy is so much more. Enjoy retirement, Jonathan, you will be missed!