Meet Paul: The Boss – Visionary Behind NOvation
Paul is the kind of person everyone should get to meet. His one-of-a-kind charisma and energy are infectious. He walks into the office with the enthusiasm of an energizer bunny, ready to take on the world. Paul has a unique ability to surround himself with like-minded individuals who lift him up, just as he does for them. His drive comes from a deep internal need to help others, and he’s always striving to push people to reach their full potential.
While Paul initially pursued a degree in business, he quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. Reflecting on his passions, he remembered back to grade 6, when he decided he wanted to be an architect. That realization led him to dive into the field, earning a Bachelor of Environmental Design at Texas A&M University and later becoming a registered Architect in both California and Canada.
Fast forward to 20 years later, and Paul is now the proud owner of NOvation Architecture Ltd., a full-service Architectural firm in Kelowna, BC. With a dedicated team and hundreds of projects on the go, Paul has certainly found his niche to conquer the business world. What truly motivates him every day is the opportunity to make positive change – not just for the company and staff, but for the community at large. On busy days, he relies on his team to keep him organized and help him stay focused.
Outside of work, many people know Paul for his dedication to fitness- he’s at the gym almost every single day. One thing that you might not know is Pauls' deep love for his Faith. One of his most cherished times during the week is spent teaching 0-4-year-old kids at his church, a time that brings him immense joy.
Paul’s greatest passion is fostering professional growth within his team. This is what excites him most about the future of NOvation. “Whether it’s a course for self-development or gaining new knowledge to improve yourself, I want to help you get there,” he says. “Take the class, go to school, get that degree, who’s going to run the company next? I’ll be right there ready to guide, push, and build the next generation.”
Meet Mike: The Memory Master with a Side of Humor
Mike is our second-longest-standing pillar of NOvation, and his wit and sneaky sense of humor are just a few of the reasons we keep him around. (Just kidding!) One thing that stands out about Mike is his remarkable memory. Ask him when a project started, and he’ll have the year ready on the tip of his tongue.
Mike began his career in the field while still in high school, enrolling in a dual credit program that awarded him his first-year carpentry apprenticeship before finishing his senior year. After working in labor-intensive jobs for a while, Mike realized that the physical toll was starting to catch up with him. Rather than risk permanent damage, he decided to pivot in a new direction. It was around this time that he met Paul at the gym, and their connection eventually led Mike to join NOvation (clearly, you need to meet Paul at the gym to work at NOvation! 😉).
Now, seven years in, Mike is largely self-taught and has become an expert in the “Paul way.” What he loves most about his work is the constant variety. “There’s always something new to do, learn, or work on,” Mike says. He also appreciates the office culture that Paul has carefully cultivated over the years. “The hardest days are still easy to get through,” Mike reflects. “Whether I’m sitting down to focus on something and wrap it up by the end of the day or bouncing between calls and emails, the work environment makes it easy to start getting engaged and keep moving.”
Outside of work, Mike enjoys working out, cooking, relaxing, playing video games, and spending time with his wife. In 2024, he tied the knot- with Paul standing by his side as his best man – talk about workplace family! Mike is excited about the company’s growth. “When I started, there were only four of us. Now, we’re up to about a dozen staff. With the size of our projects growing and the talented people we have on board, there’s plenty of opportunity for both personal and professional growth.
Meet Susan: The Heart of the Team
Susan is the team's heart, radiating love and care both within the company and to everyone she meets. She’s been with us for nearly nine years, joining after being scouted by Paul, whom she befriended through their shared workouts at the local gym.
Every day, Susan comes to work motivated by the people around her. “We aren’t just colleagues, we’re friends,” she says. “There is always a mix of laughter, hard work, kindness, respect, and a little bit of sass-- honestly, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” For Susan, getting through busy days “with a smile” isn’t just a mantra; it reflects who she is. Her positive outlook is one of the many reasons she’s so cherished by the team.
Outside of work, Susan’s greatest passions are her five incredible grandchildren, who bring her immeasurable joy. She also loves fitness—her true happy place. Susan is excited to continue watching NOvation grow and serve the community, crediting much of the company’s success to Paul’s gentle leadership.
Meet Donna: The Bright Spark Behind NOvation
Donna is pure brightness-her light, kindness and sly cheekiness can light up any room. She has a way of making everyone feel noticed, always bringing a warm energy to the team. Donna might also just be the company’s brain – she always seems to have what you need before you even ask, somehow staying one step ahead.
Donna’s path into design was a bit of a happy accident, “I didn’t realize that a ‘Designer’ and a ‘Decorator’ were 2 very different things,” she laughs. Originally intending to become a decorator, Donna fell in love with the Interior Designer Program instead. “I started learning about construction practices and materials, what’s happening behind the walls, how things physically work, and why…and here I am, almost 20 years in the field.”
Like several other team members, Donna met Paul at the gym. Their chats would often revolve around work with Paul always asking, “Why haven’t you come to work with us? You’ve got to check this out!” After over a year of friendly back-and-forth, Paul finally stopped “poaching,” and Donna joined NOvation.
Outside of work, Donna’s passion remains her gym life. “Being able to compete in a sport that I love keeps me both happy and healthy!” she says.
Donna is motivated by the challenges her work brings. “Every day is a new challenge that forces me to think in different ways and be creative– and I love it.” What keeps her going through busy days are the people she interacts with- both new clients and the NOvation team. “Everyone is so genuine and caring. It’s like having a second family and I love it!”
Donna is excited to see the company continue to grow. “With larger projects come more internal growth, and it’s amazing to see how everything is coming together.”
Meet Inder: The Project Master with a Vision
Inder is a project master, always ready to lend a hand, teach, and get the job done with no questions asked. His kindness is evident in the way he listens to his coworkers and clients, ensuring everyone feels heard and that all ideas are given thoughtful consideration.
Before diving into the world of design, Inder worked as a carpenter for several years. He then switched gears to pursue his passion for architecture, earning his degree from Thompson Rivers University and later completing his Master’s at the University of Calgary.
Inder is driven by the opportunity to solve design-related challenges, explore new ideas, and bring his clients’ visions to life. To get through busy days, he plans ahead, prioritizes tasks, and listens to music to stay focused and energized.
Outside of work, Inder enjoys spending time with loved ones, playing sports like hockey, and focusing on personal development.
Inder is excited about the company’s direction and the incredible projects that we’re fortunate to work on. “The growth we’re experiencing and the opportunities we have are truly inspiring.”
Meet Bob: The Office Trickster with a Keen Eye for Detail
One could say Bob is like an elbow in your rib (just kidding.) He’s the guy who always tries to bring humor into the office, keeping things light while throwing curveballs at everyone with his attention to detail- until we’re all rethinking “everything.”
Bob got his start in the design field thanks to the influence of his older brother, an engineer. His brother used to make him draw concrete beams-and after a lot of practice, Bob became a bit of a whiz at it. Now he spends his days designing not just beams, but walls, windows, and everything in between- basically, all the essentials that keep a building standing.
What keeps Bob motivated? The free coffee, of course. He uses the caffeine buzz to power through busy days while jamming out to his favourite tunes.
Outside of work, Bob can be found riding his Harley, and heading to Salmon Arm to work on his own home projects. He also enjoys “pillaging the towns” – his words, not mine!
Looking ahead, Bob is excited about the future of the company. “I always like a lot of company,” he quips. With his humor and drive, we’re sure he’ll help ensure the growth and success of NOvation for years to come.
Meet Max: Designing the Future
Max has been with us for a few months, having recently graduated with a Bachelor of Design from the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at UBC in Vancouver. He’s always had a passion for drawing and sketching. This love for creativity naturally led him to architecture. “Growing up playing hockey, I had the privilege of travelling to many different cities, which exposed me to a variety of types of architectural style,” he says.
Max is motivated by the opportunity to bring ideas to life. “I find it incredibly rewarding to see a concept evolve from being just an idea on paper to something that’s built in real life.”
Outside of work, Max stays active in a variety of ways - whether it’s hitting the gym, playing golf, or snowboarding, he enjoys keeping busy and staying fit.
Max is excited about the growth of the company and the new opportunities that will come with it. “As the company grows, so do the opportunities for more diverse and exciting projects,” he says, and “looking forward to what’s next”.
Meet Paige: The Research Wrangler
As Paige was growing up, her mom always put an emphasis on the way their homes looked- so from a young age, Paige found herself deeply affected by design. To this day, she constantly feels the urge to rearrange her spaces to bring something fresh and avoid the feeling of stagnation. Paige became engrossed in daily Pinterest and Youtube room/home makeover posts, and she attributes her curiosity about design to “generational influence.”
Paul offered Paige a position as an Executive Assistant, which filled that nagging pull she had toward design. Now, she gets to see behind the scenes of what goes into architecture and design, gaining hands-on experience and insight into the process.
Paige is a highly task-oriented person, and she says, “a good to-do list” is what keeps her motivated. “The feeling of crossing something off and completing tasks is so fulfilling,” she says. On busy days Paige’s go-to fuel is “coffee or a sneaky Red Bull,” but she adds that the more complex answer is” prioritization”.
Outside of work, she is passionate about coloring, paint-by-number, rearranging her home and exploring different coffee shops – and is always on the hunt for new inspiration.
In the short time Paige has been at NOvation, she’s come to realize that architecture is about so much more than just how things look. “I’m excited to learn from everyone here and to explore all the different aspects that come with each new and past project.”
Meet Wayne: The Man Behind the Blueprints
Wayne’s journey in the architecture world began many years ago at another firm, where he first crossed paths with Paul. Wayne has recently joined our team, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for design.
As a pre-teen, Wayne was fascinated by buildings and the art of this creation. In his Grade 9 yearbook, he even wrote that his future goal was “to be an architect.” While he didn’t end up with that specific title, he was able to keep that dreams alive as he worked alongside architects and in related roles.
Wayne is motivated by the new challenges that each day brings, as well as the support of his family. On busy days, you’ll find Wayne's head down “listening to good tunes” to keep his focus sharp and his mind clear.
Outside of work, Wayne is always up for some fun. He’s a good sport and loves to try new things, participating in whatever activities come his way.
Looking ahead, Wayne is excited about the future of the company.
“The most satisfying part is seeing a project through to completion,” he says. “There’s nothing like looking at a finished project and thinking, ‘Hey! That’s our creation!”
Meet Travis: Embracing New Challenges with Passion
Travis is one of our newest team members, joining us after a 25-year career in construction. Looking for a new challenge, he decided to explore his passion for design and creativity. “I’ve always loved design and wanted to tap into my creative side in a new, exciting way,” says Travis. His fascination for architecture and the drafting process led him to pursue this new career path, aligning perfectly with his goals.
What motivates Travis to come to work every day is his family and the desire to provide them with opportunities for growth and prosperity. “Now, the challenge of learning a new career is also a great motivator,” he shares. He thrives on challenges, and for him, getting through a busy day is all about “managing time and expectations. The busier the day, the bigger the challenge.”
Outside of work, Travis is a self-proclaimed car enthusiast who loves working on and building custom cars. If he’s not in the garage, you’ll likely find him and his family watching hockey or football – he’s a big fan of both!
Travis is excited about the future at NOvation. He’s eager to be part of a team that’s focused on “delivering cutting-edge, sustainable developments that have a positive impact on our clients’’ live and our community at large.”
Meet Sadie: The girl, the fur, the legend
Sadie has been coming in to the NOvation office since 2023. She spends her days lounging on her bed, occasionally going from door-to-door for much deserved attention. Her favorite part of the day? When she hears the microwave door close--- that signals her favorite thing….. food! Sadie has a wonderful demeanor; she is quiet, gentle and lovable. She is always readily available to provide a loving ‘hello’ to anyone who enters the office.