Torbay, Canada, 8th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Kirk Kendall is a mechanical engineer and project management professional whose work focuses on turning technical complexity into controlled, predictable outcomes. As VPIndustrial at DF Barnes, he applies engineering discipline and structured project management to industrial programs where safety, coordination, and long-term performance drive success.
Kendall’s role sits between design intent and execution reality. He works closely with engineering teams, construction partners, and clients to ensure projects move forward with clear scope, defined accountability, and measurable progress. His approach reflects a belief shared across his career. Strong systems outperform reactive decision-making.
With formal training in mechanical engineering and project management, Kendall brings technical literacy to leadership decisions. He understands how design choices affect constructability, scheduling, and cost over the life of a project. This perspective allows him to identify risks early and address them before they disrupt delivery.
At DF Barnes, Kendall supports industrial programs across aquaculture, airport infrastructure, and large-scale construction. These projects require alignment across multiple disciplines and stakeholders. He emphasizes upfront planning, disciplined contract review, and communication structures that keep teams aligned from concept through completion.
Kendall’s engineering background informs how he evaluates challenges. He approaches projects as systems rather than isolated tasks. Inputs, constraints, and dependencies are mapped early. Assumptions are tested. Responsibilities are assigned with clarity. This method reduces rework and supports consistent performance across long timelines.
Before joining DF Barnes, Kendall held senior positions with Grieg Seafood, Colliers Project Leaders, and Amec Foster Wheeler. In these roles, he managed consultant coordination, contractor execution, and stakeholder communication on technically demanding initiatives. Each position reinforced the importance of disciplined planning and transparent leadership.
Kendall holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Memorial University. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a certified Project Management Professional. These credentials support a career built on accountability, documentation, and continuous improvement.
His professional foundation also includes service as a commissioned Engineer Officer with the Canadian Forces. During that time, he led construction operations and completed an eight-month deployment to Afghanistan. Operating in high-pressure environments shaped his focus on preparation, safety, and decision-making under constraint. Those principles continue to influence his civilian leadership style.
Kendall views project management as an extension of engineering, not a separate discipline. Schedules, budgets, and risk registers serve the same purpose as technical drawings. They translate intent into execution. When maintained with rigor, they create confidence across teams and stakeholders.
Safety remains a core consideration in his work. Industrial construction involves complex interfaces and variable conditions. Kendall treats safety planning as a design exercise. Clear procedures, defined authority, and consistent communication reduce uncertainty and support safe performance across all phases of work.
He also places value on mentorship and team development. Kendall believes professionals perform best when expectations are clear and systems are reliable. By creating structure rather than pressure, he enables teams to operate independently while remaining aligned with project goals.
“Engineering discipline doesn’t stop at design,” Kendall said. “It continues through planning, communication, and execution. When systems are clear, teams perform with confidence.”
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Kendall maintains a balanced routine that reinforces focus and consistency. He coaches youth soccer, trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and spends time hiking along the Newfoundland coast. These activities mirror the same principles that guide his work. Preparation, repetition, and steady progress.
Through his role at DF Barnes, Kendall continues to support industrial projects that demand precision and accountability. His career reflects a commitment to applying engineering rigor beyond calculations and drawings. In complex environments, his leadership centers on systems that support clarity, safety, and durable results.
Kirk Kendall is a mechanical engineer and project management professional based in Newfoundland and Labrador. He serves as Vice President, Industrial at DF Barnes, overseeing industrial project planning, contract review, and execution. His background includes senior roles with Grieg Seafood, Colliers Project Leaders, and Amec Foster Wheeler, along with prior service as a commissioned Engineer Officer with the Canadian Forces. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University, a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Memorial University, and maintains P.Eng. and PMP credentials.
