Rimkus appoints two leaders in built environment practice in Canada

Rimkus, a Houston-based engineering and technical consulting firm, has appointed Walter Gaudet as VP of built environment solutions (BES) Canada and Michael Hensen as VP of technical excellence for BES in North America.

The appointments arrive amid large-scale federal plans for infrastructure and housing development spending.

“These leadership appointments reflect our strategy to invest ahead of demand and ensure Rimkus is well positioned to support clients navigating increasingly complex built environment challenges,” said Chris Rayasam, president and CEO of Rimkus. “Canada represents a critical growth market for our firm.”

Based in Toronto, Walter Gaudet brings more than 25 years of AEC sector experience. In his new role, he will oversee expansion of BES capabilities across all Canadian offices.

He joins Rimkus from Aecom, where he spent six years and was SVP of the Canadian buildings and places architecture and engineering business. Before that, he was managing principal for Ontario at HDR, SVP at Cannon Design, and a project architect at KPMB Architects and Taylor Smyth Architects.

Gaudet has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from McGill University and is a LEED-certified registered architect.

Based in London, ON, Michael Hensen has over three decades of AEC sector experience. In his new role. Hensen will support the growth of BES services throughout Canada and the US by strengthening technical capabilities and technology. He will also help expand Rimkus’ forensic services in Canada.

Hensen has been with Rimkus since 2023, joining the firm as VP of the Central region in Canada. He previously spent two decades with IRC Building Sciences, which was acquired by Rimkus.

Hensen has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Concordia University and is a professional engineer.

“Owners and developers across Canada are facing unprecedented pressure to deliver projects that are faster, more resilient, and compliant with evolving standards,” said Rayasam. “Rimkus’ depth of technical expertise and practical, solutions-oriented approach uniquely position us to support those goals, and I’m excited for Walter and Michael to help lead this phase of growth.”

Rimkus provides forensic consulting, construction dispute resolution, built environment solutions, and product development support to consumer, industrial, and healthcare industry clients.

The firm has more than 1,500 people across 100+ offices globally. Rimkus has more than a dozen offices in Canada.