meet our people
join our team
generoso russo
president + ceo
0 Years of Craftsmanship
0 years in the making
Adam GroshongSenior DesignerAdam is Behrends’ resident expert at all things digital and 3-Dimensional. Proficient with modelling and rendering software, Adam’s skills help us plan how to build a project down to the smallest detail. He’s also the man behind the awesome 3D renderings that accompany some of our larger projects – although they take a ton of work, they provide a powerful way to foresee how a design will fit into the real world. Adam is an avid photographer, and is responsible for the best of our product photography, along with our team photos. |
Brent TatarinDesign DirectorWith a Major in Graphic Design & Illustration from MacEwan University, Brent has been in the industry for over 20 years. Leading the Design Department at Behrends for well over the past decade, Brent is an invaluable team member, and his creativity, ingenuity, and determination to see a job through are the core values he brings. Over the last decade, Brent has designed most of Behrends' highest profile projects. Besides designing, Brent's role is to manage the Design Department, ensuring that they achieve the highest possible standards through the most efficient processes. |
Carrie SmallDirector of First ImpressionsNew to Behrends, Carrie is not new to reception. With 20+ years in reception/administration she brings lots of experience to the office.
|
Chris MarshallLead Estimator + Project ManagerWith over 20 years of experience in the industry. Chris became a Gold Seal Certified Project Manager through the Canadian Construction Associate in 2018. This certification is only achieved through proven industry related education, proof of project experience and proficiency testing. Chris obtained his General Foundry Technologist certificate from the American Foundry Society in 2004. Chris also obtained his Project Leadership, Operations and, Lean Manufacturing Certificates from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in 2010. He has been with Behrends for two decades and has exceptional planning and management skills as well as extensive technical knowledge. His knack for problem solving and building skills are highly revered. Chris manages projects, ensuring schedules and timelines are adhered to, as well as overseeing quality control. |
Domenico RussoEstimator / Project Co-ordinatorDomenico is part of the estimation team at Behrends, bringing experience from several other areas of the business. As an former member of the installation team, Dom has a solid understanding of the order of operations here at Behrends, and his knowledge of how things work behind the scene allows him to excel at his job. All the way from Italy, Dom’s friendly demeanor and strong work ethic are right at home in the Behrends family. |
Giovanni RussoGENERAL SALES MANAGER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTGio, for short, has worked in many positions at Behrends from the Foundry all the way to sales, and most recently sale management. He worked for Behrends part time as he attended NAIT where he earned his Marketing Diploma and Business Management Degree. Working on the shop floor and getting hands on experience has given Giovanni the knowledge and skill to deal with many different types of projects. Giovanni is hardworking, approachable and hilarious. Giovanni has a passion for sports and has played hockey his entire life and with that comes great communication and an understanding of what it means to be a true team player. |
Karen FraserProduct ConsultantKaren is the consultant for our Memorial and Inside Sales projects. Kind, sympathetic, and easy to talk to, over the past 5 years, Karen has become known around the office for going above and beyond the call of duty to find the very best options for her clients. She loves to travel, and her favourite time is that spent with her family, especially her grandson. With a background in purchasing for a distribution company, Karen is well equipped to keep track of the large number of projects that pass her desk every year, and strives to make a personal connection with each of her clients. |
Michael Crosswhiteestimator /
|
Mathew HaleDesignerMathew is a University of Alberta graduate with a major in art and design, a minor in computing science, and a certificate in computer game development. Throughout his design career he has worked in graphic design, industrial design, illustration, and game design. He has a wide variety of design skills that make him a valuable team member able to work on projects of all kinds. Mathew has an extremely ambitious personality and enjoys taking on challenging projects that other people would shy away from. On his downtime Mathew coaches high level basketball, develops video games, and plays with his puppies. |
Melissa JohnsonPayroll / Accounts Receivable AdministratorMelissa worked for Behrends from 2008 – 2010 as receptionist and inside sales, but after an “extended” maternity leave she has returned to the Behrends team bringing her background in Finance to take on Accounts Receivable and Payroll. With over 10 years’ experience in customer service and a Finance Diploma from NAIT, Melissa is a great asset to the team. Her professionalism and strong customer service skills are evident when speaking with customers. |
Luca RussoProduct ConsultantGianluca the our newest member of our Behrends Calgary team. Luca, for short, has 30 years of experience in Business Development, acquired while serving various established corporations. Adept in both collaborative procedures and independent self-management, Luca is recognized for positive, results-oriented leadership style, coupled with strong people, marketing, and objective decision-making skills. Through his professional career, Luca has developed many different skills that will prove to be beneficial for his clients, and for Behrends. Luca is hardworking, approachable, hilarious and loves to help clients. Luca has a passion for sports, has played soccer his entire life, and with that comes great communication and an understanding of what it means to be a true team player. |
Paul PhillipsProduct ConsultantPaul is a senior Product Consultant here at Behrends. An expert in all things signage, Paul has been with Behrends for 15 years strong. He has experience in nearly every area of what we do; Paul’s head is an encyclopedia of project details spanning more than a decade, which has come in handy more often than anyone here can count. Paul’s intense personal drive, great client relationships, exhaustive industry knowledge, and dedication to his work have helped make Behrends the best at what we do. |
Kevin SehnPlant SupervisorKevin holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and Sculpture from the University of Alberta (1993). He has 25 years of experience working in the Art and Gallery industries in Alberta. As a former Art Technician and Facility Manager at the University of Lethbridge, he managed all the Art workshops and bronze foundry at the University, teaching hundreds of students and Master's students over the years. Kevin still teaches lost wax bronze workshops twice a year and maintains a professional art practice as a sculptor in bronze, wood, and steel. Kevin has been with Behrends for over a year, supervising the shop, and the manufacturing staff of in our foundry and sign factory. |
Yehia GayedAccountantYehia Gayed is our accountant for Behrends Group. He has over 30 years of accounting experience in the public and private sector. He has a Bachelor Degree of Commerce plus he is a Certified General Accountant. He leads our accounting team and keeps an “eagle eye” on our money matters. We are very thankful for his talent and professionalism as he manages the financial growth of our company. When Yehia is not managing the dollar-signs, he likes to garden or immerse himself in a good book! |