Employee Spotlight on Anthony Iozzo

This month’s blog post marks the second installment of DPM’s Employee Spotlight. We wanted to shed more light on who are the amazing employees that make up DPM.

For our second Employee Spotlight, we interviewed Anthony Iozzo, who is DPM’s Vice- President, Operations.
Prior to breaking into the utility industry, Anthony spent five years as a Confirmations Analyst with a well-respected financial services institution. He successfully transferred his skills from the financial sector and spent the first three years of his utility career as a Project Management Assistant with a large utility contractor in the GTA, where he was responsible for estimating, coordinating and analyzing utility projects with different municipalities and LDCs all over southern Ontario.

Anthony joined DPM as the Contracts Coordinator. He was responsible for tendering, drafting and administering construction contracts, certifying progress payment certificates, and construction coordination. He then was promoted to Project Services Director where he oversaw DPM’s project services department, which is responsible for the coordination of utilities, contracts, construction, inspections, and ensuring that all projects progress from the tender stage to energization on budget and on schedule. Anthony’s ability to build relationships and his dedication to customer service have gained him the respect of many contractors, developers, municipalities and, LDCs. In 2019, Anthony was promoted once again to Vice President, Operations. Anthony is responsible to oversee the execution of all project work at DPM.

We sat down with Anthony to learn a little more about him.

When did you start working at DPM?
A: May of 2013, I believe it was May 7^th.
What has been your favorite project to work on and why?
A: Port Lands Flood Protection Enabling Infrastructure project. This project fully encompasses everything that DPM does; such as master planning, hydro advisory, utility coordination, design work, coordinating with various levels of government and stakeholder bodies. It is a challenging but exciting project. DPM prides itself on being able to provide solutions to complex problems and this project is one of those that has so many one-of-a- kind solutions. This project is also so unique, as when will we see Toronto create another island? I’m grateful to be part of this history- changing project for The City of Toronto and DPM.
If you could pick one theme for DPM to turn into a book about the company, what would it be?
A: Creating a space for opportunity. DPM is all about opportunity and providing a space for growth. It goes well beyond the company growth size but fostering an environment for our employees to grow in their roles professionally and expand their knowledge while growing personally.
What advice do you have for new employees at DPM?
A: Be honest and be yourself. Do not shy away from trying something new or different.
What three words would you use to describe DPM?
A: Knowledgeable, Dependable and Honest.
What would the name of your autobiography of your life?
A: Trust Your Gut
Do you have an office nickname?
A: (laughs) VPO
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
A: The first thing I would do if I won the lottery would be to pay off my mortgage.
How do you define success?
A: I define success as achieving the outcome you set out to achieve.
What would people never guess that you do in your role?
A: Both clients and staff come to me for advice, both personally and professionally. I spend a fair share of time lending an ear to those that need it.
If you weren’t working at DPM, what would you do for a career?
A: I would open a winery or distillery.
What was your first concert?
A: I believe it was The Eagles at the Air Canada Centre.
What do you like most about your role?
A: The ability to influence change and the direction of the company.
What Core 4* item resonates the most with you and why?
A: The “Core 4” item that resonates the most with me is: “What do we do?”- We solve complex problems that keep your power on streets bright. This is why I do what I do, this is the aspect of the job that excites me. We work every day to overcome obstacles and challenges to execute these projects that change the landscape. I can look back and say, “we did that”.
If you could witness one historical event, what would you want to see?
A: To see the Toronto Maple Leafs win The Stanley Cup in 1967.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to drink wine and spirits as well as smoke cigars.
*If you would like to follow Anthony’s adventures, check out his Instagram @cigarsnstuff*
What trends do you see happening in the industry?
A: I think we will continue to see development in the field of sustainable energy; specifically related to innovation and investment in technology that will support that pursuit. In Toronto (and I assume most major cities), the land is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain, so we are seeing landowners less willing to give up real estate for utilities, this will require new technology and installation methods to mitigate that.
If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: It would be James Gandolfini, (best known for playing Tony Soprano that Italian- American crime boss on the television series The Sopranos). The reason I would want to have dinner with him is that he really embodied the character, so much so that some of Tony’s characteristics started to influence him in real life. I would like to know what it is like to embody such a strong character for so many years and then have it all end. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have dinner with Tony Soprano?
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A: It would be a musical talent such as learning how to play the drums or the guitar.
Since DPM doesn’t stand for anything, what would you make it an acronym for?
A: Designing Projects with Meaning.

A big thank you to Anthony for taking the time for an interview. We hope this helped you get to know our Vice President, Operations a little better!