|

Deborah Cahill First Woman Inducted into ECABC Hall of Fame

EIN ECABC Cahill 625

October 14, 2022

On Thursday, September 29th, ECABC celebrated its 70th Annual General Meeting at the beautiful Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria. During the evening ceremonies, Deborah Cahill—who served as the Association’s President for 14 years from 2008-2022—was surprised with an induction into the ECABC Hall of Fame, the greatest honour the Association can bestow upon its members.

“We are proud to share insight into Deborah’s incredible career history, and are grateful to have her remain a part of the Association forever,” said ECABC on their website.

In Deborah’s early professional career, she served as the Executive Advisor to the Ambassador of South Korea. Called home after a family illness, she went on to join the maintenance team at her hometown fiberboard plant and fell in love with the trades. Inspired by the boots on the ground around her, Deborah pursued a degree in human resources with a specialty in labour relations.

Her curiosity and passion for the industry led her to the Greater Toronto Electrical Contractors Association, where she served as assistant to the Director, department head of human resources, and manager of occupational health & safety and membership education. After seven years there, she moved west and became the first woman to serve as President of the Electrical Contractors Association of BC, where she enjoyed 14 years of formidable leadership.

As President of ECABC, Deborah served on all of ECABC’s in-house committees as well as a large number of external committees, including the BC Business Council, the Deputy Ministers Industry Infrastructure Forum, Technical Safety BC (TSBC) Advisory Panel of Stakeholders, BC Institute of Technology Program Advisory Committee, Council of Construction Associations (COCA), the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association’s (CECA) Provincial Peers group, and the Construction Industry (3:45) group, which was created at the advent of the pandemic to provide a forum for the voices of the industry leadership.

 

EIN Calhill hof

 

Through her work with ECABC, Deborah also worked closely with fellow industry associations and stakeholders including: National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), CECA, Industry Training Authority BC (ITABC), TSBC, BC Hydro and the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC) & E2 Inc. In recent years, she worked closely with the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of BC (MCABC) to lobby for prompt payment legislation. She also managed the evolution of the ECABC Subcontract Committee as it grew to include MCABC and the Roofing Contractors Association of BC (RCABC).

Deborah’s dedication to the electrical industry has inspired member companies to be involved in the Association’s many committees and forums. She has worked hard with ECABC’s three chapters to build a well-working relationship that demonstrates partnership.

During her time with ECABC, Deborah was a champion for apprenticeship as well as for advocating for women in trades. She led ECABC and its members into becoming a professional association that offers educational seminars, legal seminars, contract reviews and government liaison.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • BC Hydro Making it Easier and More Affordable to Connect New Homes

    BC Hydro Making it Easier and More Affordable to Connect New Homes

    July 24, 2025 BC Hydro is supporting the construction of new housing developments in growing communities by advancing changes to streamline upgrades and reducing the cost of new customer connections to BC Hydro’s electricity grid. “As communities across B.C. grow, so does the need for essential housing. We are committed to ensuring we’re ready to… Read More…

  • Mitrex Sets Record with Largest BIPV Solar Panel Mural at SunRise Residential in Edmonton

    Mitrex Sets Record with Largest BIPV Solar Panel Mural at SunRise Residential in Edmonton

    July 22, 2025 Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) manufacturer, Mitrex proudly announces that its transformative SunRise Residential project in Edmonton, Alberta, has earned the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural globally. This landmark project showcases Mitrex’s innovative BIPV solar panels, blending cutting-edge solar technology with vibrant cultural artistry to redefine sustainable architecture. Sustainable Architecture with BIPV Spanning over 30,000 square feet, the Mitrex eFacade PRO plus… Read More…

  • Nexans Unveils a Cable Made with 100% Recycled Materials

    Nexans Unveils a Cable Made with 100% Recycled Materials

    July 24, 2025 Nexans has reached a major milestone in its sustainability journey by developing a prototype cable made entirely from recycled materials — a first in the company’s history. This innovation combines technical performance, industrial feasibility, and a drastically reduced environmental footprint, marking a decisive step forward in circular economy. A cross-continental success story… Read More…

  • EFC Welcomes New Manufacturer Member: MGM Transformers

    EFC Welcomes New Manufacturer Member: MGM Transformers

    July 24, 2025 Since 1974, MGM Transformers has produced tough and trusted transformers designed to get the job done right. As a leading manufacturer, the company employs a highly experienced and dedicated engineering team that excels in custom designs. MGM Transformers is committed to excellent quality and service, offering industry-leading lead times and exceptional customer service. MGM Transformers specializes… Read More…