From Soccer Fields to Saving Lives in Toronto

When you meet Merhawi Tekle, you get the feeling that he has lived several different lives – and mastered each one.

From his early days playing soccer in Italy and with the Eritrean Community Association of Ontario, to operating heavy machinery and driving construction crews, to his current role keeping emergency medical equipment running in Toronto, Tekle’s story is one of discipline, perseverance and service.

“I’ve always believed that hard work pays off,” he says. “Every job I’ve had has taught me something about responsibility, teamwork, and showing up when people are counting on you.”

Building a foundation in Canada

Tekle arrived in Canada in 1989, an ambitious young man with an open mind. He graduated from Yorkdale Collegiate Institute and continued his education at Centennial College, where he developed the technical and mechanical skills that would shape his career.

His early jobs were not glamorous, but they were essential. While working at GFL Environmental, he received recognition for his safe and skilled work operating commercial vehicles – a testament to his focus and precision. “Driving those trucks wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B,” he recalls. “It was about safety, awareness and understanding the systems responsible for it.”

The same attention to detail later became a hallmark of his work.

A steady hand in moments of high pressure

Today, Tekle works as an equipment repair technician, where precision can mean the difference between life and death. He’s responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing the life-saving equipment that paramedics rely on every day – from Zoll defibrillators and AEDs to stretchers, stair chairs and splints.

“I take pride in knowing that every piece of equipment that comes out is safe and ready to use,” he explains. “Someone’s life depends on that reliability.”

In an environment where seconds count, Tekle’s calm focus and ability to troubleshoot under pressure makes him a quiet cornerstone of the city’s emergency response network. He also plays an active role in the Black Employee Network at his workplace, where he participates in public outreach and community engagement. “Representation is important,” he says. “When kids see people like me in these roles, it shows them what’s possible.”

Building your own way: Building people’s choice

Even as Tekle continues his work for the city, he is also a business owner — proof that his motivation extends beyond public service. In 2019, he founded People’s Choice General Contractor Inc., a demolition and construction company based in Toronto. The company has grown steadily, handling residential and commercial projects while employing up to 28 workers at a time.

“Running my own business has taught me to lead in a new way,” Tekle says. “It’s not just about issuing orders. It’s about creating a safe environment, setting the example, and making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.”

From risk assessments to equipment maintenance and coordination with clients, Tekle runs his company with the same meticulous attention to safety and efficiency that defines his career in public service. “Every project starts with trust,” he adds. “If people trust your word and your work, you will never stop working.”

His business portfolio has since expanded to include People’s Choice Car Rental and Services Inc., reflecting his entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify practical needs in his community.

Driving outside the workplace

Tekle’s leadership doesn’t end at the jobsite or repair bench. He is an avid soccer coach and community educator, and uses the sport he grew up playing to teach young people discipline, teamwork, and resilience. “Football is where I learned how to lead,” he says. “You win together, you lose together, and that’s life.”

He continues to keep himself active, frequenting the gym and staying involved in local soccer leagues. Those who know him describe him as a grounded, reliable person who is always willing to help – qualities that have earned him respect at work and in business.

Lessons in balance and purpose

Looking back, Tekle sees every chapter of his journey – from cleaning public spaces in the City of Toronto to managing multi-million dollar construction projects – as part of the same story. “Each job prepared me for the next job,” he says. “You can’t skip steps. The experience you gain along the way becomes your foundation.”

His philosophy is simple but powerful: lead with consistency, stay humble, and be proud of what you do. It’s a mentality that has carried him through challenging roles and ambitious projects, and which he hopes to pass on to others.

“I tell people all the time — whether you’re repairing an ambulance or running a business — do it with caution,” he says. “Because that’s how you build something that lasts.”

A legacy of service and strength

For Marhawi Takla, success is not about titles or recognition. It’s about making a tangible difference – in the lives of Torontonians, its employees and its community. His career is proof that leadership can take many forms: behind the wheel of a truck, under the hood of an ambulance, or on a dusty and noisy construction site.

And through it all, he never lost sight of where he came from — or where he was going next. “My journey is not over yet,” Tekle says with a smile. “There is always more to learn, more to build, and more people to help.”