Donison to be inducted into local BILD Hall of Fame

By Lethbridge Herald on January 29, 2026.

SUBMTTED PHOTO Don Donison will be inducted into the BILD Lethbridge Region Hall of Fame posthumously during the Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala on Feb. 6.

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Lethbridge Herald

The Building Industry & Land Development (BILD) Lethbridge Region will be celebrating the best of the best in the industry and honouring a long-time member by inducting him into the BILD Lethbridge Region Hall of Fame posthumously. 

Founder of Overhead Door in Lethbridge in 1975 Don Donison will be inducted into the 2025 BILD Lethbridge Region Hall of Fame during the Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala on Feb. 6.

The BILD Lethbridge Region Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the residential construction industry through leadership and positive, lasting impacts on the association and community.

BILD Executive Officer Bridget Mearns said the recognition celebrates Donison’s long-standing service, leadership, and lasting impact on the residential construction industry in Lethbridge.

“What made him to be chosen and worthy is his longevity within the industry, but more so what he did when he was in the industry,” said Mearns. 

Donison founded Overhead Door in Lethbridge in 1975. Over the past 50 years, Overhead Door expanded from a single local operation into a multi-location business serving Lethbridge, Calgary, and Cranbrook, British Columbia. 

“That’s already over 50 years which is remarkable, a massive milestone in any business to be existing that long,” said Mearns. 

She said Donison was instrumental in establishing the company’s operational foundation and supporting its measured expansion, with a consistent focus on quality workmanship, customer service, and sustainable business growth. 

“He’s shown that he is a strong businessperson, but when you go deeper than that, you find he’s known for being a strong advocate within his community,” said Mearns. 

She said Donison was widely respected for his professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to advancing both BILD Lethbridge Region and the broader home-building industry. 

“Don served as President from 1988 to 1989, dedicating significant time and leadership to strengthening the organization and supporting initiatives that promoted quality construction, ethical business practices, and responsible industry growth,” said Mearns.

She added that throughout his career with Overhead Door, Don exemplified the values of collaboration, mentorship, and service. His influence extended well beyond his own tenure, helping to foster a strong culture of involvement and leadership within both his organization and BILD Lethbridge Region.

“Not only did he sit on the board and served as the president, he promoted and supported his staff to also sit on the association and three other members of the company became presidents of the board,” said Mearns. 

She explained that because their Board of Directors is a volunteer position, it requires support of their employer, and it means a lot when an employer promotes and supports a member of their staff to contribute back to the association and the industry that way as Donison did. 

Don passed away on Nov. 26, 2024 and will be inducted into the BILD Lethbridge Region Hall of Fame during the Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala on Feb. 6, where his wife Heather will receive his award on his behalf. 

When talking about the Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala, Mearns said that is the event where they hand out industry awards to the best of the best of that year. 

“We have awards for design of new homes, renovation awards, marketing awards, builder of the year, custom builder of the year, and renovator of the year,” said Mearns. 

She explained that it is not a nomination process, but rather a judging process, as companies showcase their best work, what they are proud of and they are putting it forward to be judged. 

“We have judges from across Canada that look at their entries, the winner is determined, and the trophy is awarded on Feb. 6th. This is a big night for our industry to really celebrate excellence within the industry and within our membership,” said Mearns.