NOVEMber 2008 issue
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Newsmakers
Members Win Kudos at ASTechs
Six APEGGA members and permit holders are among the people and companies honoured in the 2008 ASTech Awards. Winners and finalists were celebrated in the 19th annual appearance of the awards, at a black-tie event at Edmonton’s Shaw Centre last month.
Winners represent “the depth of excellence in Alberta’s science and technology fields,” the Hon. Doug Horner, Alberta Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, said in an ASTech news release.
“They are driving innovation in environmental stewardship, the health of individual Albertans, information technology, and our food supply. They are helping us harness and utilize our natural resources in more efficient and sustainable ways. Their advancements help improve the lives of all Albertans and Canadians.”
Winners and their categories are
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Dr. Patrick Hettiaratchi, P.Eng., a civil engineering professor at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary, Shell/ASTech Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Technology and Innovation
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Dr. Jacob H. Masliyah, P.Eng., professor emeritus in chemical and materials engineering at the University of Alberta, Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology
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Hemisphere GPS Inc. of Calgary, Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology (Annual Gross Sales Greater Than $25 Million)
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Madentec Ltd. of Edmonton and Randy Marsden, P.Eng., its president and CEO, ASTech Societal Impact.
In addition, Dr. Ming J. Zuo, P.Eng., was a finalist in Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology. He is a professor in mechanical engineering at the U of A.
Stantec Announces New President and CEO
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BOB GOMES, P.ENG. |
TONY FRANCESCHINI, P.ENG. |
The man who led Stantec through its most dramatic stretch of growth and acquisition is stepping down. Tony Franceschini, P.Eng., will be succeeded as president and CEO in May, when another APEGGA member, Robert Gomes, P.Eng., takes over.
“Whether he’s been in a managing role leading a team or on the practice side working with our clients, Bob Gomes has been successful at every level of our organization during his 20 years at Stantec,” Ron Triffo, P.Eng., chair of Stantec’s board of directors, said in a company news release. “As a seasoned member of the Stantec executive team, Bob has consistently demonstrated his strategic leadership and operational effectiveness. Bob has played a major role in the growth and success of the company and he is the natural choice to lead Stantec into the next era.”
Mr. Gomes, who has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Alberta, moves up to the top position on May 15, capping off a string of promotions dating back to 1991 when he became principal engineer in charge of the Edmonton office. He joined Stantec in 1988.
In 2005, Mr. Gomes became senior vice-president for the company’s industrial and project management group. By the end of 2007 he had more than doubled the revenues of the group and established it as one of Stantec’s fastest growing practice areas.
“The challenge ahead is to build on the strong foundation that Tony has built in his 10 years as president and CEO,” said Mr. Gomes. “I’m looking forward to leading the continued evolution of Stantec.”
As a member of its board of directors, Mr. Franceschini will continue his association with the company.
Said Mr. Triffo: “When Tony became the president and CEO in 1998, he told everyone he would take the $100-million firm and turn it into a billion-dollar company. He has accomplished that and made Stantec one of the world’s top design firms.”
Collaboration Sparks New Power Chair
A new industrial research chair in the University of Alberta Faculty of Engineering is already helping Alberta’s power industry with research and education, says an item on the university’s website. Dr. Wilsun Xu, P.Eng., has been named to the $2.7-million, NSERC/iCORE/Alberta Power Companies Industry Research Chair in Power Quality.
Dr. Xu is researching ways to monitor and improve the reliability of Alberta’s power grid. The province “has the most unique power environment in Canada,” he said. It features several service providers, unique users such as those in the oil and gas industry, and a growing renewable energy sector contributing to the grid.
So far, Dr. Xu has provided contin-uing education sessions to engineers in the power industry and taken on several research projects to improve power quality and reliability, the website news item said.
Who’s Moved Where
Enerplus Resources Fund of Calgary has announced the appointment of Robert Kehrig, P.Eng., to the position of vice-president, resource development. Mr. Kehrig has been a key contributor in the company’s acquisitions since joining Enerplus in 2002 as manager of business development.
Mentors Acknowledged During National Conference
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MENTORING ROOTS |
APEGGA’s third annual National Mentoring Conference saw several members honoured last month for their contributions to mentoring — among them Len Shrimpton, P.Eng., APEGGA Director, Internal Affairs.
Mr. Shrimpton is credited with planting the seeds that led to the Association’s own mentoring program, which matches participants for mentoring relationships.
Also awarded were Matt Scheuring, P.Eng., an Aboriginal member from Calgary who has helped APEGGA pilot the mentoring of school-aged Aboriginals, Vincent Chiew, P.Eng., of Calgary, and Diego Carducci, P.Eng., of Edmonton.
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