Trevor Kealey

Ottawa-born and -raised, Trevor joined RVA straight out of school after earning his Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Carleton University. From there, he began a career-long journey from project coordination to senior management that included many twists and turns along the way.

Many roles, desks, and projects later, Trevor is a Principal of the firm and the Regional Manager of our Ottawa office, overseeing a team of a dozen staff and bringing the strength of RVA’s nationwide capabilities to local markets. With over 21 years of experience in municipal and environmental infrastructure projects, Trevor’s work has spanned many types and scales, including private development, site servicing, wastewater, electrical, mechanical, stormwater management, and trenchless technology. His multifaceted experience has armed him with a versality and willingness to take on the new, the unexpected, and the unknown, both personally and professionally. A firm believer in trusting one’s instincts, he sees every new project as the start of an exciting journey that can go in any direction, with preconceived notions left far behind.

A masterful communicator, Trevor elevates the design conversation on every project he is a part of. Whether in English or in French, collaborating with large cities or small municipalities, or working in the federal or private sector, his focus is always the same: to build personal connections. With a natural gift for encouraging and facilitating collaboration, Trevor has proven himself an effective leader who can bring people together, cultivate a collective understanding, and find a clear and positive path forward. Fueled by the trust that comes from honest communication, Trevor has the unique ability to navigate clients through the toughest challenges with humour and enthusiasm. As a long-time RVA member, his approach has always been about people – helping them grow, develop, and succeed.

When he’s not working, you can find Trevor enjoying every chance he, his family, and friends can come together – which, more often than not, includes a guitar in hand or a cold drink around the fire. A seasoned vocalist and guitarist who has played in various bands over the years – including an Ottawa-based fourpiece in the early aughts dubbed The Setbacks – Trevor still finds the time to practice and revisit his roots in 90’s alternative rock: Nirvana, Sloan, Pearl Jam, Thrush Hermit, Soundgarden, and anything that involves making a whole lot of noise!