september 2009 issue
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Newsmakers
She’s Young and She’s Good
Compiled By CHRISTINE COTTRELL
The PEGG
Already a star athlete and an award-winning student, APEGGA student member Carolina Romeo can now add another accolade to her list — she’s one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20s. The ceremony for the national youth awards, presented by Youth in Motion, took place June 3 in Toronto.
Ms. Romeo entered the University of Calgary at age 15, having advanced quickly through her early education. Now 16, she has always excelled in sports and academics. At the U of C she joined the women’s field hockey, becoming the youngest-ever athlete at the university and the youngest-ever varsity-level athlete in Canada.
The annual Top 20 Under 20 summit is sponsored by organizations and corporations that believe in youth as the future of Canada. Nominations are open to all young Canadians under the age of 20 — regardless of race, gender and religious affiliation. Leadership ability and innovation must lead to the betterment of their school, community, province or country.
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TOP RANKED |
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TAKO KONING. . . |
U of A Alumnus Honoured
for Humanitarian Work
Tako Koning, P.Geol., has received an Alumni Honour Award from the University of Alberta for his volunteer and humanitarian work during the past 17 years in Nigeria and Angola.
Mr. Koning is an adviser for Tullow Oil in Angola and is also a residential representative for Yme Foundation, a Norwegian aid organization that specializes in water, sanitation and vocational education.
Mr. Koning is also founder and leader of the Angola Mosquito Nets Project, which has donated over 20,000 mosquito nets to poor Angolans to help them combat malaria.
U of A Aerial Robotics
Team Places High in
International Competition
A team of engineering students from the University of Alberta placed sixth out of 17 and earned US $4,300 in a recent international competition in Washington, D.C. Leading the university’s Aerial Robotics Group was APEGGA student member Stephen Dwyer.
The annual competition, in which small, remote-controlled, unmanned aircraft complete specific tasks, is very hands-on. “You encounter real problems you might see in a work environment where you need to change a design or modify something,” said Mr. Dwyer in a university news release.
During a final test flight prior to leaving for the competition, the aircraft crashed. Fortunately, the damage was minor and the team was able to use parts from a second aircraft.
Meanwhile, the 16-member U of A formula automotive team returned from California with an 11th-place finish, in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineering annual competition.
Alberta Venture Chooses Province’s Most Influential People
Several APEGGA members are among the 50 movers and shakers on Alberta Venture’s 13th annual list of the province’s 50 most influential people list.
Association
David Collyer, P.Eng., president, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
Politics and Government
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Eric Newell, P. Eng., chair, Climate Change and Emissions Fund.
Business
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Harold (Hal) Kvisle, P. Eng., president and CEO, TransCanada Corporation
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Stephen Snyder, P.Eng., president and CEO, TransAlta Corporation
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Peter Tertzakian, P. Geoph., author and chief energy economist with ARC Financial
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W. Brett Wilson, P.Eng., philanthropist and founder of FirstEnergy Capital Corp.
Stantec Appoints
New Board Members
Bob Gomes, P.Eng., the new president and CEO of Stantec, has been appointed to the company’s board of directors. Mr. Gomes officially took over the role of president and CEO in May, having been with the company since 1988.
2009 Alberta Emerald
Winners Named
APEGGA member and permit holders were recognized for their dedication to environmental stewardship, during the 2009 Alberta Emerald Awards ceremony in Edmonton, June 16.
Winner — Individual Commitment
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Dr. David Manz, P.Eng. — Developed the Biosand Water Filter, an effective and inexpensive water purifier, for use in disadvantaged communities throughout the world.
Winner — Business
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Lafarge Canada Inc. — Lafarge Meadows Enhanced Gravel Site Reclamation. The project transformed a former gravel pit into a 147-acre extension of Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary.
Finalist — Government Institution
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City of Medicine Hat — Hat Smart Renewable Energy and Conservation Program. Utilizes resources that can be replenished from and through the environment.
The annual Alberta Emerald Awards gala, which alternates between Edmonton and Calgary venues, celebrates excellence in environmental work. It provides support and encouragement to those people and organizations that help preserve and enhance the environment.
Renowned Geologist
Receives Fellowship
Dr. Charles Richard Stelck, OC, P.Geol., has been awarded the Engineers Canada Fellowship, which honours individuals who have given noteworthy service to the engineering profession. The award was presented to Dr. Stelck by Dr. Gordon Williams, P.Geol., Past-President of APEGGA.
Dr. Stelck’s research has yielded many large oil and gas finds in Western Canada. In 1997 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was inducted into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2005.
Climate Board
Members Announced
Chair Eric Newell, P.Eng., has announced the members of the board for the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation, and several APEGGA members are among the group.
They are
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Jim Carter, P.Eng., chair, Alberta Carbon Capture Council; board member, Alberta Research Council.
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Charles Fischer, P.Eng.,
co-chair, Alberta Climate Change Central Board; former president and CEO, Nexen Inc. -
Paul Galachiuk, P.Eng.,
vice-president, growth planning and development, Suncor Energy Inc. -
Brenda Kenny, P.Eng., president, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association
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Dr. David Lewin, P.Eng., senior vice-president, EPCOR
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Dr. David Lynch, P.Eng., dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta
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Roy Neehall, P.Eng., manager, waste management branch, City of Edmonton.
It is expected that the corporation will begin accepting funding proposals in the second half of fiscal 2009/2010.
APEGGA Member
Recognized For Approach
To Environmental Issues
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ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD |
The Institute of Professional Environmental Practice has presented Paresh Thanawala, P.Eng., of Calgary with an award in the interdisciplinary management category, at a conference in Detroit, June 18.
The award recognizes Mr. Thanawala’s accomplishments and wide-ranging efforts to ethically serve the environment, the community and fellow professionals.
Schulich Professor Receives National Award
Dr. Marcelo Epstein, P.Eng., of the Schulich School of Engineering, is the recipient of the 2009 Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics Award. The award was presented to Dr. Epstein at the 22nd annual CANCAM conference in Halifax, June 2.
The conference began in 1967 at Université Laval and provides an international forum for communicating the most recent advances in the field of applied mechanics. Also, the congress promotes information exchange among delegates from industry, research labs, and academia.
Canadian Forces Awards Employer Support For Reserves
The Canadian Forces Liaison Council held its biennial national awards to recognize employers and educators who have supported the Canadian Reserve Force. The ceremony was held in the LeBreton Gallery of the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, on June 5.
APEGGA permit-holding companies listed here were among the winners.
Most Supportive Employer in Canada
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General Dynamics Canada Ltd.
Special Award for Support to the Reserve Force
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City of Calgary
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D. A. Watt Consulting Group
Most Supportive Employer, Alberta
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D. A. Watt Consulting Group
Most Supportive Employer, Ontario
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General Dynamics Canada Ltd.
The council is a group of civilian business leaders who volunteer their time and efforts to promote the primary Canadian Reserve Force by highlighting the benefits of training and experience to the civilian workplace.