Our Team

Ralph Balbaa

Ralph Balbaa

B.Eng., M.Eng., P.Eng. / President

Ralph has over forty years of experience in the design and project management of commercial and industrial buildings and bridges, Building Sciences, accident investigation, litigation support, welding inspection, design, testing and certification of mobile & tower cranes and elevating platforms; including seven years as an Engineering Consultant with the Ministry of Labour. Ralph assisted in writing the regulatory requirements for a Pre-Start Health and Safety Review and was a member of the PEO committee on establishing standards for Engineers. A leader in his field he is a member of the following CSA standards technical committees: CSA Z150 (Mobile Cranes), CSA C225 (Aerial Devices), CSA Z271 (Powered Platforms), CSA B354 (Aerial Platforms), CSA Z91-02 (H &S Code for Suspended Equipment Operations) and CSA Z248 (Tower Cranes). Ralph is authorized to carry the (restricted) title of Consulting Engineer from the PEO.

David Newton

David Newton

P.Eng., B.A.Sc. / Senior Consultant

Dave holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Toronto and has over 40 years of experience in electrical engineering. He has a wide variety of experience in Industrial Control including programmable controller systems and motor control. He has designed and commissioned machine control systems. He has specified electrical apparatus for hazardous area locations, and has worked in related mechanical fields including drives, pneumatics, hydraulics, combustion systems, cooling towers and HVAC/refrigeration. Dave’s experience includes safety controls for power presses in accordance with CSA standard Z142 and general machine guarding in accordance with CSA Z432.

Adam Balbaa

Adam Balbaa

Project Manager

Adam Balbaa holds a degree from Wilfred Laurier University (2007-2011) and a post graduate diploma from Seneca College (2011-2013). He has had experience as a Brand and Marketing Manager, working in the consumer goods industry, along with experience as an account management for leading industry brands. Adam is part of the Building Science, Fall Protection and Façade Access System team at HITE. Adam is also involved in HITE’s business development.

Nolan Piette

Nolan Piette

B.A.Sc., P.Eng. / Project Manager

Nolan holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Toronto (2015) with specializations in solid mechanics and manufacturing. He is the manager of the industrial group at HITE Engineering Corporation.

Ashik Shah

Ashik Shah

M.Sc., P.Eng./Structural Engineer

Ashik holds a Structural Engineering degree from City University, London, UK. He is an engineer with a systematic approach to engineering problems ensuring that the structure is designed as a functional, economic and integrated part of the entire facility. Ashik has worked for design and build consultants prior to joining HITE and possesses valuable experience within various industry sectors such as residential, commercial, industrial, and pharmaceutical and refurbishment. He possesses excellent command over analysis and engineering software such as STAAD-Pro, Tekla TEDDS. He supports HITE's Industrial and Construction Groups with analysis and design for structural projects.

Zach McCarthy

Zach McCarthy

P.Eng., B.Eng. / Manager

Zach holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the Memorial University of Newfoundland (2019) specializing in electrical communications and automation. Prior to joining HITE, Zach worked as a project manager and electrical designer for one of the largest international tire manufacturers. He lends his industrial automation, programmable controller, and pneumatics experience as a project manager within the industrial group at HITE Engineering.

Alex Martin

Alex Martin

B.Eng., E.I.T.

Alex holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from McMaster University (2014). Prior to joining HITE’s Industrial Group, he worked for 8 years in the manufacturing sector in the roles of technical consultant, project manager, and production manager. Alex brings with him 5 years of managing industrial health and safety projects, as well as advocating for worker safety while serving as Co-Chair on a Joint Health and Safety Committee. 

Tom Riedel

Tom Riedel

B.Eng. P.Eng. / Associate

Tom has over 20 years of experience as an electrical engineer. In addition, he has a diploma in electrical engineering technology and holds an industrial electrician's license. Prior to joining HITE, Tom worked for 10 years as a private engineering consultant doing Pre-Start Health and Safety reviews. During his extensive career, he has worked in industrial field service; medium voltage engineering design and system startup and medium voltage drive marketing. In addition, he has spent 5 years working at the Bruce Nuclear Power station in Tiverton Ontario. His skill set includes Product Support, Project Engineering Design, Marketing, Field service and Project Management.

Joe Smolcic

Joe Smolcic

Project Manager / Designer / Field Technician

Josip Smolcic holds a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology (2005) from Sheridan College. He has over 5 years of experience in the custom fabrication field as well as several years in façade access systems design. Josip is HITE’S Design and Field Inspection Specialist.

Catherine Bowman

Catherine Bowman

BA / Human Resources

Catherine Bowman holds a Bachelors of Education from Western University. She is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. She has several years of Human Resources experience with a major telecommunications company. As the Administrative Coordinator, she monitors HITE’s administrative projects.

Stephanie Cicero

Stephanie Cicero

Office Administrator

Stephanie Cicero holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration Human Resources from Sheridan College as well as a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Nipissing University. As the Office Assistant, she supports the HITE team with daily administration functions.

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