|
Jim Bertrand, a 47-year-old civil engineering student at the University of
Calgary and a Transport Canada Railway inspector, collected weather data over
the summer to learn more about how it affects the heating of railroad tracks.
In his front yard lies a six-foot-long railway track called BLT Shortline, which
is used to collect valuable data, including how air temperature can reduce speed
limits for freight trains, and the roles of wind speeds, humidity and cloud cover
in rail heating.
The BLT Shortline Project is supported by Canadian Pacific Railway, CN, Transport
Canada, and the University of Calgary's Department of Civil Engineering.
After Mr. Bertrand, a university student member of APEGGA, finishes his undergraduate
degree, he intends to continue with his research into rail heating while pursuing
a master's degree at the U of C.
To learn more about his project, and to see real-time weather and rail temperature
readings, visit www.ucalgary.ca/~railtemp.
Well-Known Edmonton Engineer Leads ACEC
Successful Edmonton consulting engineer Allen Williams,
P.Eng., is the 2004-2005
chair of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada. Mr. Williams' company,
AD Williams Engineering Inc., celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2003.
Recognition Continues For Stantec Boss
Stantec President and CEO Tony Franceschini,
P.Eng., is this year's recipient
of the Design Industry Outstanding-CEO-of-the-Year Award in the large firm category,
presented by PSMJ Resources Inc. PSMJ, of Newton, Mass., is a provider of publications,
educational programs and consulting services to the engineering, architecture
and contracting industries.
The award's purpose is to identify and provide recognition for outstanding
leadership and achievement by a CEO of a design industry firm.
Stantec, meanwhile, has topped a list compiled by the newspaper Business
Edgeof Alberta's largest consulting firms. Other permit holders on the list, in descending
order, are Golder Associates Ltd., AMEC Earth & Environmental, UMA Engineering
Ltd., Cohos Evamy, AMEC Infrastructure, Earth Tech Canada Ltd., EBA Engineering
Consultants Ltd., Associated Engineering Group Ltd., IBI Group Architects & Engineers,
EXH Engineering Services Ltd., Stewart, Weir & Co. Ltd., Jacques Whitford & Associates
Ltd., Hemisphere Engineering Inc.,Thurber Engineering Ltd., A.D. Williams Engineering
Inc., MPE Engineering Ltd., Terracon Geotechnique Ltd. and CH2M HILL.
Stantec Engineer Honoured By Peers
Ben Novak, P.Eng., a senior consultant with Stantec, recently won the Association
of Consulting Engineers of Canada Beaubien Award, presented annually for lifetime
achievement. Mr. Novak, a regular writer for The PEGG of articles on insurance
and risk management, was recognized for his contributions to society and engineering,
as an ACEC international committee member, an urban planner, an artist and a
musician.
Distinguished Geological Service Recognized
The American Geological Institute has presented APEGGA member Russell
G. Slayback, P.Geol., with the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to the
American Geological Institute. This award is given in recognition of exceptional
and beneficial long-term service to AGI.
Mr. Slayback graduated with a geology degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
in Troy, N.Y. He then became a consulting hydrologist with Leggette, Brashears & Graham
Inc. in 1960, and by 1984 was its president. He is also a past president of the
American Institute of Professional Geologists and currently serves on the board
of trustees of the AIPG Foundation. Mr. Slayback lives in Green Farms, Conn.
Permit Holders Put NAIT On the Road
Several major APEGGA permit holders are helping keep NAIT on the move. EnCana
Corporation, Devon Canada Corporation, TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. and Finning
( Canada) are supporting NAIT In Motion, an initiative to bring the classroom
to students.
With more than 18,300 full-time students and apprentices, demand for a NAIT
education has never been higher. Because not everyone can get to one of NAIT's
nine campuses, NAIT is coming to the people with two new NAIT in Motion mobile
educational units. NAIT in Motion units were created as part of the technical
school's $4 million Aboriginal Educational Success Initiative.
'Building Dean' Receives ASTech Award
Dean Dr. David Lynch, P.Eng., of the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering — dubbed “The
Building Dean” for his role in securing the $250 million in new infrastructure
investment — is the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta
Science and Technology Community Award, presented by the Alberta Science and
Technology Leadership Foundation. The 2004 ASTechs, presented Oct. 15 in Edmonton,
honoured Dr. Lynch for his longstanding efforts to grow scientific and technological
advances, while helping build a culture of understanding of the value of science
and technology for all Canadians.
Among the other winners were Dr. Gérard Lachapelle, P.Eng., ICORE Chair
and Canada Research Chair in Wireless Location at University of Calgary, for
Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology; and Ceapro
Inc. for Outstanding
Commercial Achievement for companies with annual sales of less than $25 million.
Ceapro creates products from cereal grains for use in cosmetic and personal care
industries ranging from burn treatments to sunscreen. NOVA
Chemicals won for
Outstanding Commercial Achievement for firms with annual sales equal to or greater
than $25 million.
The ASTech Leadership Foundation presents awards annually for innovations
that are changing the face of Alberta.
Staffer Heads Computer Charity Board
APEGGA Corporate & Member Affairs Director Ross Plecash,
P.Eng., has been
appointed chair of the Alberta Computers for Schools Board of Directors. Computers
for Schools is a Canada-wide initiative providing refurbished computers to schools,
public libraries, and non-profit learning organizations. For more information
on CFS, visit: www.learning.gov.ab.ca/cfs/.
Also, for The PEGG's most recent CFC article, visit www.apegga.org/whatsnew/peggs/Web06-04/computers.htm.
|
