07/31/2026
As Director of Engineering, Kent Fischer brings experience, a passion for continuous learning, and a people-first leadership approach to every project and team he supports.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Kent spent his childhood between a small farm, Martensville, and Saskatoon. Whether he was playing hockey, snowboarding, skateboarding, spending time at the lake, or delivering newspapers on roller blades, he learned early the value of hard work and staying active.
Two influences that shaped his path: his mother, a teacher, instilled the importance of education, while his father emphasized work ethic and pride in a job well done. Those lessons continue to guide him.
After completing a year in Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan, Kent spent time working on oil rigs. The experience provided hands-on exposure to large-scale systems and inspired him to pursue engineering. "Working on a rig gave me practical exposure to real-world systems and made me want to combine that with a formal science and math background to help solve problems on a bigger scale."
Kent joined Delco shortly after graduating from the University of Saskatchewan. What initially attracted him was the diversity of industrial automation work. Kent's leadership style has evolved over the years from focusing on technical solutions to creating environments where people can solve challenges themselves.
"Leadership is less about having the answers and more about creating the conditions where others can find them."
One of the lessons he has learned throughout his career is the importance of fostering healthy debate among highly capable teams. "Creating space for disagreement without letting it become personal, is usually where the best decisions come from."
Kent highlights Delco's M1 Canal gate structure projects as a notable milestone in his career. This multi-year initiative provided an opportunity to contribute across hardware design, programming, commissioning, and project management, helping shape his perspective on integrated project delivery.
"The projects I am most proud of these days are the ones the team drives forward on their own. My role is to build a group capable of that, not to be at the center of every decision."
When asked what makes Delco unique, Kent points to the combination of highly talented people with a shared sense of purpose. One of the most rewarding aspects of his role is seeing team members take on larger challenges, develop confidence, and continue to grow professionally.
Looking to the future, Kent is excited by the advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and the opportunities these technologies create to improve quality of life for communities around the world.
Outside of work, family remains his top priority. Whether it is spending time at the lake, exploring new places, or attending his children's activities, Kent values the moments that allow him to recharge and connect with family.
For aspiring engineers, his advice is: "Find the things that matter to you first, then focus on them: hone your skills, cut out the distractions, keep a growth mindset, and stay curious."
