meet our team
Meet our team of dedicated professionals who bring diverse expertise and passion to everything we do. Each member of our team plays a vital role in ensuring that we deliver exceptional results for our clients. From project management to customer service, our team is committed to excellence and innovation in every aspect of our work. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative environment where every idea is valued, and everyone contributes to our collective success. Get to know the people behind our achievements and discover how their unique skills drive our company forward.
Robert Cohen, President
Ivan Brlecic, Operations Manager
Derek Hanchuk, Management and New Business Inquiries
Derek studied Manufacturing Engineering Technology at university for 3 years. Following his education, he completed his red seal machinist ticket and soon transitioned into a management role. With extensive knowledge across various trades and manufacturing disciplines, Derek also brings valuable project management experience. He eagerly takes on challenging projects with tight deadlines. Additionally, Derek is a passionate advocate for the trade industry, participating in several advisory committees in the Algoma District. This dedication extends to his role in recruiting and developing current and future employees at Soo Foundry.
Rick Oliver, Renewable Energy Manager
Klaud Thiel Purchasing Management
Klaud has over 25 years of experience in the steel service industry, having progressed from floor work to management. At Soo Foundry, he oversees purchasing and manages our sister company, Traders Steel Warehouse. Klaud excels in sourcing materials such as bronze, stainless steel, structural shapes, and flat-rolled products, even under the most stringent timelines.
Travis Kenny, Machining and mechanical supervision
Travis holds a diploma in machining along with two interprovincial tickets—one as a mold maker and another as a machinist. His expertise primarily lies in large-scale boring mill work, though he is also highly skilled in other machining disciplines. At Soo Foundry, Travis serves as the machine and mechanical shop supervisor. Additionally, he plays a significant role in mechanical fieldwork, including field machining, complex alignment, and fit-up projects.
Derek Mulligan, fabrication and field supervision
Derek Mulligan is a red seal Welder-Fitter and pipefitter with experience dating back to 2004. He holds 24 endorsed pressure tickets and multiple CWB Structural tickets. Derek gained extensive experience in the oil and gas industry in northeast British Columbia, where he progressed from a welder to roles in supervision and management. At Soo Foundry, he serves as the Welding Supervisor for CWB 47.1 (steel) and CWB 47.2 (aluminum). His responsibilities also include supervising 10 fabricators in the shop, as well as field supervision for mechanical tasks (Hydro Unit rebuilds), welding (cavitation repair), and erecting.
Caleb Dereski, Mechanical Supervision
caleb.dereski@soofoundry.ca
Caleb holds a Mechanical Engineering Diploma, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics, and certificates in Maintenance Management and Project Management. Since 2008, he has been a designated Project Management Professional. With over 15 years of mechanical experience in the Steel and Wood Industries, Caleb has worked in mechanical design, maintenance planning, multi-trade supervision, and capital project management. As the Mechanical Supervisor at Soo Foundry, he oversees the Mechanical Rebuild Shop, which specializes in high-quality repairs and service for all types of industrial process equipment.
Maxim St. Pierre, engineering Management
Maxim is a graduate of Manufacturing Engineering Technology and is our French-English speaking bilingual employee. He has worked in various areas including renewable energy and mining. His primary focus at Soo Foundry is estimating potential work and overseeing our quality management system. Max also has relevant drafting skills and is our lead when it comes to condition monitoring and vibration analysis of critical components.
Megan St. Pierre, Project Management and ESTIMATING
megan.stpierre@soofoundry.ca
Megan is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering. She has several years of experience in specialized material handling design. Her knowledge of manufacturing processes and techniques is a great addition to her drafting & design skills. Megan is responsible for Project Management and Estimating.
Wei Wu, Senior Engineering Specialist
wei.wu@soofoundry.ca
Wei is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario. He is a licensed Project Management Professional from PMI and certified Professional Scrum Master II. He has worked extensively in Steel Manufacturing. Wei has solid skills and experience in both Mechanical Engineering and Project Management, making him a great fit for our growing Engineering demand.
Matheus Serra, Mechanical design and quality assurance
matheus.serra@soofoundry.ca
Matt is a Brazilian graduate of Mechanical Engineering with a diverse professional background, he has demonstrated ability to work in an organized manner, combining fast learning and critical analysis. He is also a graduate of Sault College’s Mechanical Techniques – Machine Shop program and has joined the team to be responsible for Mechanical Design and Quality Assurance.
Louise Schmitd, Mechanical Design
louise.schmitd@soofoundry.ca
Louise is a Brazilian graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has recently graduated in Mechanical Techniques – Machine Shop program at Sault College. She has a professional background in the steel industry and joined our team to work in Mechanical Design, 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering.
JAcob ThomAS, pROJECT management
jacob.thomas@soofoundry.ca
Jacob has been with Soo Foundry since 2019 originally hired as the plasma table operator. Since 2022 Jacob has moved to Coordinating on our projects. His interest in new technologies has complimented our move to new technical equipment including our Total Station and 3D Scanner.