July 2008 IssuE
Young Engineer Joins Management Team In Professional Practice
With an abiding interest in ethics and self-regulation, Glenn Sorokan, P.Eng., always figured he’d end up working for his professional association. Just not this soon. In May Mr. Sorokan accepted the position of Assistant Director, Professional Practice. He comes to APEGGA after more than two years of working in the oilsands, followed by about nine months as a project manager with an Edmonton engineering, procurement and construction firm. Only 10 years ago, Mr. Sorokan was graduating from mechanical engineering at the University of Alberta — and already building an interest in the Association. He immediately started donating his time and brain power. “Right out of university, I volunteered as a publicity agent for APEGGA events in Edmonton. I liked the organization right away, all the professional development and other activities, and I liked spreading the word and getting my peers involved.” Soon after becoming a professional engineer, he became the Responsible Member for the permit holder that employed him, an Edmonton bearing engineering company. That meant taking the mandatory Permit to Practice Seminar and developing a Professional Practice Management Plan. |
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GLENN SOROKAN, P.ENG. |
The process helped him understand the corporate role professional members have, and how the ethics and principles of self-regulation need to become ingrained in industry and business. The role was a confidence-building level of responsibility for a young engineer.
Next came a stint on the Investigative Committee, which determines whether complaints warrant being passed along to the Discipline Committee. “I really enjoyed that a lot, and it was a great refresher on the EGGP Act, regulations and bylaws.”
In his role in Professional Practice, Mr. Sorokan stays strongly connected to self-regulation. Among the department’s functions is working with volunteers to revise and create the standards and guidelines members must follow.
He likes the challenge and variety Professional Practice offers. His is the kind of position that will keep him in touch with the working world of the professions, said Mr. Sorokan.
However, he brings more than enthusiasm to the table. “I have over 10 years of current experience in industry, most of it connected to the oilsands. This is the heart of what’s going on in Alberta right now, and I have direct, relevant knowledge.”
Before moving back to Edmonton, Mr. Sorokan was a reliability engineer and project manager for Suncor in Fort McMurray. Before that, also in Fort McMurray, he was a projects and engineering manager with a manufacturer of global mining machinery.
One of his responsibilities is the APEGGA Environment Committee, and his oilsands experience will also serve him well there, Mr. Sorokan believes. “When you live and work in Fort McMurray, environmental issues are front and centre all the time. You’re talking about them, you’re hearing them on the news, and it’s all very real to you,” he said.
Mr. Sorokan reports to Ray Chopiuk, P.Eng., Director, Professional Practice. “It’s great to have someone young and already deeply interested in ethics and self-government on board,” said Mr. Chopiuk. “He’s a great addition to our management team.”
Off the job, it’s golf, baseball, do-it-yourself projects and spending time with his family that take up Mr. Sorokan’s time. “I try to do everything I can myself. And I’m very competitive and constantly trying to improve,” he said.
Mr. Sorokan is married and enjoying being back in Edmonton. He looks forward to a long and productive career at APEGGA.