Government policy pioneer Matt Farrell joins the AECO Board of Advisors
TORONTO, Ontario, Dec. 2, 2020
Matt Farrell, an authority on government process and policy, has been appointed to the AECO Innovation Lab (AECO) Board of Advisors (BoA). A tenacious leader, Matt has driven important initiatives such as building permit digitization and the development of policies that will lead to an efficient and effective construction approvals process.
Matt has driven important initiatives such as building permit digitization and the development of policies that will lead to an efficient and effective construction approvals process.
Policy and procedure insight
For more than 20 years, Matt has pioneered building and planning policy development in his role as Chief Building Official for the Lake Huron community in which he lives. In addition to overseeing building approvals, construction, and planning applications, he has also consulted on large-scale development projects. A strong proponent of streamlining and efficiency, he recently led the implementation of e-permitting for his municipality’s building process.
Matt is also the Immediate Past President of the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA) where he has been committed to high professional standards in the administration of the Ontario Building Code, and championed the construction of safer, more sustainable and accessible buildings. He also serves as Vice President of the Alliance of Canadian Building Official Associations.
“I’m proud of the work that we have done to introduce environmentally conscious initiatives in our municipality, that protect its natural beauty,” says Matt. “It’s been our mission to create resident-centric communities that ensure all facets of the planning and development processes are inclusive and efficient. These principles are central to the work that we will undertake with AECO’s One Ontario initiative, and I’m excited to join their Board of Advisors where I can contribute to meaningful collaborations like this.”
Harnessing the benefits of digitization
As a member of the AECO BoA, Matt joins other industry leaders from the public, private and academic sectors. BoA member specialties range from architecture, engineering and construction to real estate, business, finance and change strategy. Together, they build productive relationships between industry, government and financial partners that will enable the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors to harness the benefits of digital transformation.
Arash Shahi, CEO of AECO says, “With his unparalleled understanding of governmental processes and policy experience, Matt is a key member of our Board of Advisors. His experience implementing e-permitting will be of particular benefit to One Ontario, which will establish data exchange guidelines to improve the development approval process in Ontario. Matt’s experience with building code is also a valuable resource for ventures in our start-up studio such as My Building Code, which delivers a digital version of the Ontario Building Code.”
About AECO Innovation Lab
AECO Research and Development unites business expertise, research talent and financial resources to build innovative standards and technology driving digital transformation across all AEC industries and government. AECO Start-Up Studio and Consulting Services strive to transform the best ideas into disruptive technology solutions applicable across the entire AEC value chain.
For more information:
Katrina Maheu
Director of Marketing & Communications
AECO Innovation Lab
katrina.maheu@aecoinnovationlab.com
