Earl Casey

Earl E. Casey was born into a family with a legacy of entrepreneurship and began his own journey at a young age. Working alongside his father in their family business, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, he gained firsthand experience of the hard work it takes to be successful. His early involvement in E. L. Casey Construction Ltd., founded by his father in 1952, laid the foundation for his remarkable entrepreneurial journey.

Earl continued to work and learn within the family business, while also pursuing other interests in flying light aircraft and SCUBA diving. But Earl was drawn back to the family business to lead the first expansion to Truro. Recognizing the potential of ready-mix concrete in construction, he played a pivotal role in growing the business and industry, becoming a founding member of the Atlantic Provinces Ready-mix Concrete Association in his early 20’s – twice serving as the association’s president.

Earl’s recognized strategic opportunities, which led to the growth of the family business across the region. With acquisitions and new ventures in ready-mix concrete, he expanded Casey Concrete’s presence to locations throughout Nova Scotia, including Halifax market, as well as in New Brunswick. Casey Concrete always manufacturing various concrete products such as patios slabs, septic tanks, and masonry blocks, which were shipped across the region including PEI. Earl understood that technology was going to play a significant role in advanced production and operational efficiency, which to the early introduction of computerized administration and concrete batching systems, ensuring the company’s competitiveness in the evolving market.

Through Casey Concrete and its subsidiary companies like Casey-Metro Ltd., he played a vital role in manufacturing and the construction of the region. Beyond the concrete industry, Earl’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to diversify his portfolio. Recognizing the changing landscape of waste management, he entered the sector with a partnership at Truro Sanitation Ltd. and founding PBS Waste Services (Amherst). Both companies were early adopters of multi-stream collection. Earl had several other entrepreneurial adventures, including in auto parts (NAPA stores), automotive sales (Scotia Hyundai), landfills and self-storage.

Earl’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom, as he immersed himself in community endeavors, serving on numerous boards, contributing to charitable organizations, and actively participating in service clubs. His leadership and commitment have earned him recognition from local Chambers of Commerce, community organizations and recently an Honorary Life Member of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.

Earl’s entrepreneurial spirit transcends generations, as the third generation of the Casey family, his three sons, Steven, Bruce, and Peter, joined the family business under his tenure. Earl’s guidance and mentorship allowed his three sons to become integral members of the company, ultimately successfully transitioning to active owners. Earl’s commitment to succession planning ensured that the legacy he built will continue to thrive for years to come.