Ryan Morse: Finding Comfort in Being Uncomfortable

In an executive world dominated by engineers and business professionals, it can be difficult to grow professionally as a tradesperson without a post-secondary diploma or degree. But Ryan Morse, Director of Operations and Strategic Growth, IES Field Services, has taken the road less travelled to get where he is today.

Born and raised in Alberta, Ryan started his career by pursuing an electrical apprenticeship and gaining valuable experience constructing oil and gas projects throughout Alberta. After nearly a decade in the field, he received an opportunity to transition into a corporate role where he leveraged his experience to provide practical, solutions-based offerings to his clients and emphasize the establishment of cultures that prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of their front-line employees.

Since transitioning from the field, Ryan has spent the past decade working with energy infrastructure companies providing electrical & instrumentation, mechanical, fabrication, and pipeline and civil construction and maintenance services. Ryan has held various roles within these organizations ranging from account manager to President. “I’m very proud of the success that I’ve had throughout my career, in particular, the personal growth and relationships I’ve formed since transitioning from the field,” says Ryan.

For many, the demarcation between fieldwork and office work can be challenging to bridge. But for Ryan, the shift gave him a deeper connection to his clients and peers. “I’ve found a way to be an influential leader and encourage myself to learn the different skills required to be efficient,” he says. “I’m filling the gaps through my quest for knowledge.”

Ryan’s quest for knowledge and growth, as well as his background in construction services, brought him to True North in January 2023. “I was very much intrigued by True North’s desire to grow and expand the business,” he says. “True North’s acquisition of ABB field services back in 2020 was really what attracted me to the organization and where I felt I could make a meaningful impact.”

Like True North’s recent expansion into the Alberta Industrial Heartland, Ryan’s desire to grow comes from paying attention to the relationships he’s built — with both colleagues and clients. “I want to leverage my experience in the field to provide solutions that offer the greatest value to our clients.”

As for the future, Ryan is looking forward to growing alongside the True North team, saying, “We have an exceptional team of passionate people who possess a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of our clients, employees, and communities. We are strongly positioned to experience exponential growth in the coming years. Our exciting vision for our future could not be possible without the exceptional contributions of our team. We strive for continuous improvement in our business practices and find that sweet spot of being comfortably uncomfortable in our aspirations.”

Ryan’s go-getter mindset makes him a valuable member of the True North team, and it’s why his job title has the word ‘growth’ in its name. “What I like most is being on the forefront of developing that future vision and strategic roadmap for where we want to be in the next three to five years of the business,” he says. “I’m not interested in maintaining the status quo.”