For the Broks brothers, engineering is a family business

Growing up on a mixed farm in Winfield, a small hamlet in central Alberta, the Broks brothers – Leo, Corry and Martin – were no strangers to hard work. As farm boys and the sons of immigrants from the Netherlands, they were expected to milk the cows, among other chores, and attend school. 

Education was a priority for the Broks family. “Our parents had a rule – we had to finish high school and that rule was non-negotiable,” says Corry, (P. Eng), adding that all three brothers would eventually earn civil engineering degrees from the University of Alberta.  

In 1976, Leo started Al-Terra Engineering Ltd., a successful Edmonton-based engineering and landscape design firm, still in operation. Corry would also join the firm, and in 1989, Martin joined as manager of the Red Deer office of D.A. Watt Consulting Group, which Al-Terra had purchased the previous year. 

The family business thrived under the careful stewardship of Leo Brok, (P. Eng), who served as President and CEO for 32 years, followed by Corry, who served in the same role for another decade. The current President and CEO, Sheldon Hudson, (P.Eng, MBA), started at Al-Terra as a U of A  co-op student, and several employees are also former co-op students. 

One of the reasons Corry was drawn to civil engineering, he says, is the intuitive, common sense nature of the field and the versatility of the degree. Initially he worked in municipal engineering and land development but switched to transportation planning when the recession of the 1980s shrunk the economy. Through adversity and success, Corry could always rely on his brothers.  

“Working with Leo and Martin has been great,” he says. “Great partners and exceptional engineers. They work very hard in the best interest of their clients, and both are ethical and honest and always take the high road in their professional and personal lives. I learned from Leo that taking the high road professionally is always the prudent approach to dealing with issues and people.”

For the last 25 years Corry has been a project manager for Al-Terra’s large, complex transportation projects, including the Walterdale Bridge and the Calgary Trail/23 Avenue Interchange, where Al-Terra partnered with other local firms to complete the services required.

“I feel Al-Terra has built a solid reputation in our industry and has given back abundantly in the communities in which we work,” says Corry. “Civil engineering has been an enjoyable and gratifying career choice and in my twilight years, it’s cool to show my grandchildren successful projects that I have worked on. My grandchildren call Waterdale Bridge “Opa’s Bridge”, because they know I was involved in that project. I have not had the heart to tell them I only planned and designed the roadways!”

Like Corry, Martin Broks (P. Eng) followed his brother Leo into civil engineering for the career opportunities but also because it seemed like a good fit, temperamentally.

“As farmers, we were very hands-on and we were always building or fixing things – just like engineers do,” says Martin. “As well, our oldest brother John was a civil technologist and was already working for Alberta Transportation while I was still in grade school, so why not choose engineering?”

In 2000, Al-Terra separated into two separate companies – Al-Terra Engineering Ltd., the Edmonton based company owned by Leo and Corry, and Al-Terra Engineering (Red Deer) Ltd., the Red Deer based company owned by Martin. As each company continued to grow in size, with Al-Terra (Edmonton) adding another office in Calgary, the decision was made to change the name of the Red Deer operation to Aptus Engineering Ltd., in 2023, where Martin continues to serve as President and CEO. 

Though two separate companies, the brothers still work together on projects from time to time. 

“Working with my brothers has always been an enjoyable experience,” says Martin. “I relied on Leo, in particular, for his mentorship relating to the business management aspect of the company, both when we were one company, and even after we became separate companies. It’s always more satisfying when you are working with family.”

Both Al-Terra and Aptus Engineering are employee-owned companies, a business model that gives employees a greater stake in the company’s success. Reciprocity is at the core of the brothers’ business philosophy, which also includes many community outreach initiatives. 

“Certainly, I am proud of some of the projects I worked on – the subdivisions that turned out very well, the road projects that we’re all now driving on,” says Martin. “However, the thing I am most proud of is that we shared the opportunity of ownership in the companies with our key employees. It gives me great pleasure to know the people that are continuing to make the company a success are also receiving significant benefits from ownership in the company.”

To the Broks brothers, giving back has always been a top priority. In addition to their support of co-op students throughout the years, many of whom have become full-time employees, Al-Terra Engineering also supports the Broks Family Bursary in Civil and Environmental Engineering. 

All three brothers continue to work in various capacities for their respective companies, and remain strong supporters of civil engineering as a career. 

“Most people want variety in their work life and civil engineering gives you that opportunity,” says Martin, adding that the U of A engineering program remains highly regarded across Canada.

“I have spent my whole career in municipal engineering, and while there is no good reason for me to be still working – my “job” is now my “hobby!”