Canada’s communications antenna construction industry has an enviable workplace safety record. One way to ensure that remains the case is to proactively discuss, review and promote safe industry practices. The Structure, Tower and Antenna Council helps to ensure communications towers in Canada continue to be constructed with the highest regard to worker safety. STAC is a non-profit Council of the Canadian Telecommunications Association, representing and providing a collaborative forum for members from the following industry sectors:

  • Canadian wireless communications carriers
  • Tower owners/operators
  • Tower and rooftop equipment engineering service suppliers
  • Wireless communication facilities construction and maintenance contractors

STAC helps its members operate safely and efficiently in this demanding marketplace by providing expertise and support in the areas of advocacy, information and guidelines, communications, events and education.

Mission Statement

  • Ensure the safety of all personnel involved with communication towers and related industry infrastructure.
  • Educate the industry on consistent standards, policies and best practices.
  • Provide a unified voice for the industry.

History

The Canadian communications network infrastructure market is a thriving industry consisting of communication towers and vertical real estate that includes carriers, utility companies, rooftop owners, tower erectors, engineering firms, contractors and suppliers. Prior to STAC’s formation, there was no single body in Canada whose specific mission it was to develop and promote a vision of the wireless communications antenna construction industry serving this market.

STAC was formed in 2015 following a year-long collaborative effort by nine companies – three wireless telecommunications service providers, three engineering firms and three communications construction companies. The motivation for forming STAC was to develop an industry-wide forum to identify and promote safe work practices for all personnel involved with communications towers and related industry infrastructure.

Organization

STAC is a Council of the Canadian Telecommunications Association, reporting to the Association’s Board of Directors. The Council is member-driven, and is directed by a steering committee that represents the communications network infrastructure market.


Steering Committee Members

Marty Stephenson (Co-Chair), Sam Fadlallah – Rogers Communications

Leo Helmer (Co-Chair), Clay Parchewsky – WesTower

Steve Miholic, Marina Guerra – Bell Canada

Marco Simard – Nouvelle Hauteur/New Heights

Mandy Walsh, Patrick Simard – PPT

Ian Panagapka, Cris Bursugiu – Rigarus Construction Inc.

Glenn Bialy, Derik Cronje – SBA Communications Corp.

Scott Connor, Stavros Hantziagelis – Team 1

Jonathan Walsh, Rick Tiller  – Tiller Engineering Inc.

Iain Harrison – Tower Engineering Canada

Jeff Selby, Chris Penfold – Trylon

Trevor Bolt, Sean Hayman – Varcon

Adam Gale, Walter Wannamaker – Vertical Specialties

Start-up Sponsors

Launching STAC was made possible in part by sponsorship from the following companies: