January 2006 ISSUE
Newsmakers
FORMER PETRO-CANADA HEAD
RECEIVES ORER OF CANADA
COMPILED BY
FRANCINE MAXWELL
Editorial Assistant
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NEW OFFICER |
The motto of the Order of Canada is “they desire a better country” and that can certainly be said of James Stanford, OC, P.Eng., who was named an officer of the order at a recent ceremony in Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
While at the helm of Petro-Canada, Mr. Stanford used his innovative spirit and keen insight to lead the company through a major restructuring, helping position it as an industry leader. The former president and CEO also instilled a deep-rooted set of values and through example demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment.
He has lent his time and talents to a number of other organizations, among them the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Alberta and the Mount Royal College Foundation.
An officer of the Order of Canada is recognized for a lifetime of achievement and merit of high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large. Recipients are nominated to an advisory council chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada. The Governor General is the chancellor and principal com-panion of the order.
Centennial Medal List Keeps Growing
The complete list of Alberta Centennial Medal winners hasn’t been announced
yet, but a few APEGGA names have been brought to our attention so far.
APEGGA Past-President Linda Van Gastel, P.Eng., and President-Elect David Chalcroft, P.Eng., are both medal winners. So is Dr. Milt Petruk, P.Eng., APEGGA Manager, Examinations.
The total number of recipients is nearly 8,000, so many more names, no doubt, will be coming to this space soon.
Newfoundland Community Honours APEGGA Boss
Neil Windsor, P.Eng., APEGGA Executive Director and Registrar, recently returned
to his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador to receive two major awards — a
community builder award and an induction into a local sports hall of fame.
Mr. Windsor is a former Newfoundland cabinet minister and MLA for Mount Pearl. His political career spanned two decades and included a stint as parliamentary assistant to the premier. As a sportsman, Mr. Windsor was an all-star hockey goalie who played with teams up to the senior level.
Although he was also a basketball, soccer and baseball player in his day, Mr. Windsor made his biggest mark in hockey, winning a number of championships and helping form the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Association.
Mr. Windsor was named a community builder during 50th anniversary celebrations of the City of Mount Pearl. And he was recognized as one of six new inductees into the 10-year-old Mount Pearl Sport Alliance Hall of Fame.
Said Mr. Windsor: “This is a tremendous honour for me. There are a lot of incredible athletes who have been produced through Mount Pearl’s recreation system over the last 25 to 30 years. I’m not sure why I’m being recognized. Perhaps it’s more as a builder than as an athlete. My athletic days were more prior to me moving to Mount Pearl.”
CME Names Innovator of the Year
Micralyne Inc. has won the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Award as Canada’s
Innovator of the Year. At a gala dinner held during the CME’s annual conference
and trade show in November, seven awards were presented, with Micralyne taking
home the top prize.
The development of a gold-tin electroplating process earned Micralyne the attention. The process enables the production of smaller, faster industrial components for the technology sector. It was also recognized by the CME in the new technology category.
Also taking home an award that evening was AltaSteel Ltd. in the diversification of export markets category. The company recognized the potential for its recycled metal in quality steel products and machinery for agriculture, construction, forging, oil and gas, and mining.
AltaSteel took steps to expand its global potential. It teamed up with other Canadian companies to reduce costs and contacted new clients directly rather than through an agent.
As a result, AltaSteel’s export sales increased from $79 million in 2002 to $115 million in 2004.
Suncor Corporate Culture Among Most Admired
A study conducted by Waterston Human Capital Ltd. and Canadian Business Magazine
has Suncor Energy Ltd. as one of Canada’s top 10 most admired corporate
cultures.
The study was the result of 107 face-to-face interviews with senior executives chosen from Canada’s top 1,000 public and private companies. Among others noted in the list are WestJet Airlines, Tim Hortons, RBC Financial Group, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Maclean’s Magazine Gives Thumbs Up To Permit Holders
In the categories of industrial and resources, technology and professional services,
and communications, nine APEGGA permit holders based in Alberta stood above all
others as great places to work, according to a top 100 employers survey by Maclean’s
magazine.
Alberta-based Agrium Inc., EPCOR Utilities Inc., PCL Constructors Inc., Shell Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc., Enbridge Inc., Nexen Inc., Matrikon Inc. and Komex International Ltd. were all ranked in the top 100 Canadian employers.
Mediacorp Canada Inc. surveyed 1,200 employers, narrowed down from an original lineup of 55,000. Employers were graded in eight areas, including physical workplace, work and social atmosphere, health, and financial and family benefits.
Some of the winning employers’ policies included emergency daycare, tuition subsidies and scholarships, company-sponsored sporting events, profit sharing and cash awards for excellence.
Premium Petroleum Inc. Adds New VP
Paul J. Bennett, P.Geol., has been appointed as vice-president of exploration,
as well as an advisory board member, of Premium Petroleum Ltd.
Mr. Bennett spent 31 years with ExxonMobil Canada, holding such positions as manager of Western Canada exploration and senior VP for exploration.
For Premium, Mr. Bennett will source quality exploration and development projects, acquisition opportunities, joint ventures and grassroots land assembly opportunities.
EnCana Appoints New CEO
Randall Eresman, P.Eng., has been appointed the new CEO of EnCana Corporation,
following the retirement of Gwyn Morgan, P.Eng., who steps down at the end of
2005.
EnCana Corporation was born out of a charge lead by Mr. Morgan in 2002. Having been with the company since its predecessor days as Alberta Energy Company, Mr. Morgan decided to merge two of Canada’s largest oil and gas firms to create EnCana Corporation. The name was selected to symbolize the creation of a flag-ship Canadian headquartered energy company.
Mr. Eresman joined the predecessor company of Alberta Energy Company in 1980 and was key in building its stature as a Canadian oil and gas powerhouse. He was there when AEC merged with PanCanadian Energy Corp-oration and was named chief operating officer to EnCana soon after its creation.
Canada Foundation of Innovation Has New Board Member
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, P.Eng., has been appointed to a three-year-term on the
board of directors of the Canada Foundation of Innovation.
The Hon. David L. Emerson, the Canadian minister responsible for the foundation, noted Dr. Cannon’s extensive background and active involvement as a director on several indus-try and government advisory boards.
Dr. Cannon, of the University of Calgary’s Department of Geomatics Engineering, has served on boards for the Alberta Ingenuity Fund, the Calgary Science Centre, the Alberta Research Council and the minister of National Resources Canada. She is also a past winner of APEGGA’s Frank Spragins Technical Summit Award, given to those who have been recognized by their peers for integrity, expertise and outstanding accomplishments in fields related to engineering, geology or geophysics.
APEGGA Member Named Energy Deputy Minister
Dan McFadyen, P.Eng., who has more than two decades of experience in public service
and energy, has been appointed by Premier Ralph Klein as the new deputy minister
of Alberta Energy.
“I’m very pleased that someone with Dan’s calibre accepted this position,” said Mr. Klein. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to a vital, high-profile portfolio in government, and I’m confident that he’ll play a key role in the implementation of Alberta’s energy policies.”
Energy Minister Greg Melchin is also happy with the choice. “I look forward to working with Dan in the challenging and rewarding portfolio of Alberta Energy.”
Mr. McFadyen leaves the position of vice-president, regulatory affairs and public policy, with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. Among his career highlights are time as the Nova Scotia deputy minister of energy; as the chair, acting president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Research Council; and in various executive management positions in the Saskatchewan public service.
Fort McMurray Volunteer Rewarded
Prakash Mullick, P.Eng., has been presented the 2005 Greg Outhouse Memorial Award
of Excellence, courtesy the Fort McMurray Chapter of the Canadian Society of
Safety Engineering. The award is given to those who excel in health and safety
promotion in the Fort McMurray area.
Mr. Prakash is a health and safety consultant, as well as a tireless volunteer for many health and safety related events. He has been involved with North American Occupational Health and Safety Week, the Day of Mourning and the Hazardous Waste Roundup. Having been a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society for nearly 10 years, Mr. Prakash celebrated a recent birthday by shaving his head and helping raise $4,300 for the society.
Petro-Canada recognized Mr. Prakash’s volunteer efforts by presenting him the com-pany’s award for most dedicated volunteer.