Foundation
Since 1961 Taplen Construction has built or renovated some of the most attractive and functional buildings in the Eastern Ontario region. By building robust relationships with our trade subcontractors and material suppliers, we have been able to consistently deliver projects to our clients in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors on-time and within budget.
Reputation
Taplen actively ecourages our clients to be part of the construction team, enabling us to not only deliver the project, but to also rapidly identify and resolve issues and explore opportunities. Taplen's staff is well versed in the art of finding the most viable solutions to each new challenge.
Professionals
Our staff of construction professionals is dedicated to exceeding our clients expectations. Each person has an important role to play in successfully delivering construction services to our clients. |
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Michael Assal BSCE, MBA
President, Senior Project Manager
After graduating in 1985 from Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA, Michael went on to complete his Civil Engineering degree at The University of Maryland, College Park in 1990.
Michael was the recipient of a full U.S. Air Force ROTC scholarship and successfully completed the program; receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He served on active duty with the 305th Civil Engineering Squadron at Grissom AFB, IN overseeing military engineering training, environmental cleanup projects, and heading the base’s Spill Response Team.
After his discharge from active duty in 1992, Michael returned to work with Heberger-Bau GmbH (Heberger) in Schifferstadt, Germany, with whom he had apprenticed in the fall of 1990. Heberger imparted their rigorous estimating and construction methodologies as well as organizational management style to Michael in these formative years and they remain with him until today. In return, Michael influenced the company with his N. American style of innovation and flexibility. Michael worked on numerous projects for Heberger Group subsidiaries in Germany and the United Arab Emirates until 1998 when he left the company to pursue his Masters of Business Administration at The George Washington University (GWU).
Michael initially entered the part-time MBA program at GWU and worked full-time as a project manager for StructureTone Inc. completing a number of new construction and fast-track interior fit-up projects. In 2000, he decided to accelerate his studies and shifted to full-time studies; graduating in 2001.
Michael was invited to return to the Heberger Group to head up the construction of a 400,000 SF shopping mall in Prague, Czech Republic that was completed in 2003. He then returned to the Washington, DC and took up a consulting position with KPMG where he undertook large construction project and program risk analysis in the support of external and internal audits. His clients were primarily in the eastern U.S. and an engagement to Brazil was also part of his experience.
In 2005 the opportunity to acquire Taplen Construction was brought to his attention. With the support of his family he negotiated the purchase of the firm. Since taking over Taplen, he has worked diligently to build on the solid reputation of the firm and grow the business, both in organization and work volume.
Michael is keen to further the interests of the construction industry and is active at both the local and provincial level through his memberships with the General Contractors Association of Ottawa (GCAO), Ottawa Construction Association, Ontario General Contractors Association. He has served on the General Contractors Association of Ottawa (GCAO) Board since 2007 and was the President in 2010.
The Assal family live and love life in the nation’s capital Ottawa, Michael enjoys soccer, travelling and culinary exploration!
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