February 2006 ISSUE
Newsmakers
E.I.T. Wins National Research Excellence Award
Compiled By
Francine Maxwell
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Kenneth Chau, E.I.T |
Kenneth Chau, E.I.T., an engineering post-graduate student at the University of Alberta, has won a National Science and Engineering Research Council award.
The Andre Hamer Postgraduate Prize was awarded to Mr. Chau for his work in discovering a way to transmit terahertz light through metals. The discovery offers great promise in the field of biological imaging.
The Andre Hamer Postgraduate prize is awarded annually to outstanding master’s program and doctoral students. It is based on achievements, career potential, and interpersonal and leadership abilities.
Premier Ralph Klein
Appoints APEGGA Member
Economic Board Chair
Premier Ralph Klein has appointed Terry Gomke, P.Eng., to the chair of the Alberta Economic Development Authority.
A 30-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, Mr. Gomke is the president and CEO of Gibson Energy Ltd. Having served on the authority’s board since 1999 and boasting a proven track record for business, he’s considered a great choice for the three-year voluntary position.
“I’m confident Terry’s depth of knowledge and experience in Alberta business will ensure the authority continues to fill its important role,” said Mr. Klein.
AEDA is a partnership between Alberta’s private and public sectors. Its board of management and committees give business and academic leaders the opportunity to share ideas with the government. Members focus on business and economic development policies and issues.
Utility Permit Holders
Take Top Honours
EPCOR and TransAlta Corporation were awarded Power Engineering Magazine’s
top prize for their Genesee 3 coal-fired project. The magazine annually puts
on Projects-Of-The-Year Awards to reward the world’s best power projects
for their excellence. The winners are chosen from four categories — coal-fired,
gas-fired, nuclear and renewable.
Being constructed on time and under budget, their innovative CO2 emission reduction method and their attention to environmental concerns were all factors in the duo winning the prize.
Calgary Photographer Wins Provincial Award
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THE JUNGLE |
A photo by Michael Sundberg, P.Eng., received a merit award, architectural category, in the annual Alberta Professional Photographers Association competition.
The award qualifies the work, called The Jungle, for the Professional Photographers of Canada competition in Halifax in May. The shot of Calgary’s Bankers Hall and the metal “trees” that stand across from its entrance will go before judges from Canada and the U.S.
At the request of Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Mr. Sundberg presented a signed copy of the photo to the City of Calgary.
Members Among
Canada’s Richest People
Canadian Business Magazine has released its sixth annual rankings of the 100
most wealthy people in Canada and among them are two APEGGA members.
Clay Riddell, P.Geol., founder of Paramount Energy Operating Corp. and co-owner of Paramount Resources Ltd., clinched the 23rd spot with a worth of $1.25 billion. The number represents a near doubling of his total from last year. Rising energy prices are pinpointed as the cause for his leap into the billionaire’s club.
Fellow energy brethren on the list include Murray Edwards, whose large stakes in Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Penn West Petroleum left him in the 27th spot, while the Irving brothers on the East Coast have a firm hold on number four.
Also making an appearance on the list is the chairman of ATCO Ltd., APEGGA Honorary Member Ron Southern. This equine enthusiast has tallied a cool $595 million.
GEOCAN Energy Inc.
Appoints New VP
Scott Gordon, P.Eng., of Calgary has been appointed vice-president of engineering
and operations at GEOCAN Energy Inc. Mr. Gordon will provide strategic direction,
engineering expertise and leadership to all aspects of GEOCAN’s engineering
and operations department.
He has held positions with Enerplus Resources Fund., DPH Engineering Inc. and Westcoast Petroleum Ltd. Most recently he was the principal of Integrated Resource Engineering Ltd.
Also moving to GEOCAN is Mr. Gordon’s staff, and Integrated Resource Engin-eering will wind down.
New Director
At Grande Cache
Lloyd E. Metz, P.Eng., has been appointed as director of engineering and planning
at Grande Cache Coal Corporation. Based in Calgary, Mr. Metz will be responsible
for long-term development plans of Grande Cache Coal and will provide engineering
guidance to current operations.
More than 27 years of mining experience, including extensive mountain mining experience in west central Alberta and southeast British Columbia, helped Mr. Metz realize this new appointment. Mr. Metz has held senior operating positions with Luscar Ltd. and Elk Valley Coal Corporation.
Former Member
Of Board of Examiners
Named Company VP
E.P. (Ted) Webb, P.Eng., has been appointed vice-president of engineering for
Premium Petroleum Inc. The former APEGGA Board of Examiners member will also
be an advisory board member for the company. Mr. Webb brings with him more than
40 years of domestic and international experience in the oil industry, including
33 years of consulting to private and public companies.
Assistant Director
Has Star Power
Lianne Lefsrud, P.Eng., APEGGA’s Assistant Director, Professional Practice,
received local recognition recently from 630 CHED Radio in Edmonton as a Star
Volunteer.
Stars are chosen weekly from nominees. Ms. Lefsrud was nominated for her extracurricular work with the Rotary Club and women’s shelters, as a marathon runner for charity, and on the board of her co-op school. She manages this on top of being a mother of two and a hard-working member of the APEGGA team.