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It's been over a month since Ron Tenove, P.Eng., took over
the helm as APEGGA president, and his second regular column
in The PEGG appears on the next page. The column will help
keep you up-to-date on some of APEGGA's major issues throughout
the year, as well as challenge you to help improve the role
and profile of your profession and your Association.
But The PEGG wanted to impart more information on Mr. Tenove's
plans, what he sees as the challenges ahead, and what he brings
to the table. The interview below, therefore, is designed
to give you some extra detail on the man behind the Council
gavel.
Mr. Tenove, APEGGA's 83rd president, is a 54-year-old, Edmonton-born
consulting engineer. He received his bachelor of science degree
in civil engineering from the University of Alberta in 1970,
followed by his master of engineering degree in soft and rock
mechanics in 1971. He is the director, corporate development,
at the Focus Corporation in Edmonton.
Mr. Tenove and his wife, Pat, a physiotherapist, have two
adult sons - Chris, a freelance journalist in Vancouver, and
Colin, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine in Calgary.
Following are Mr. Tenove's responses to a series of questions
posed by The PEGG.
1) What excites you the most about
taking the helm of APEGGA?
The potential to make a meaningful contribution to a profession
that has exceeded my expectations of career fulfillment; giving
back in a manner that encourages young professionals to enjoy
similar opportunities within the privileged framework of self-governance.
On a self-serving note, the opportunity to widen my horizons
of awareness and relationships.
2) What are the main challenges and
issues facing the organization?
· We are quite apathetic about the privilege of being
self-governing professions and are not really vigilant as
to how to remain relevant to both government and our membership.
Specifically, I suspect the corporations (including permit
holders) who use the services and skills of our members do
not have a strong bias to what would be different if our regulatory
role was absent. Because this is a global issue does not mean
we should not ensure there is real value and differentiation
in being a professional engineer, professional geologist or
professional geophysicist in Alberta and Canada.
· We do not understand the role of emerging disciplines
and other technology practitioners within the APEGGA framework,
but the public readily assumes all technology providers will
ensure the same professional conduct and concern for public
welfare as APEGGA strives for within its mandate.
3) What are the main challenges and
issues facing APEGGA's professionals, on an individual, on-the-job
level?
· With global mobility being an everyday experience
for our members, there is some urgency to put in place mobility
agreements with those U.S. jurisdictions where two-way movement
of professionals is increasing.
· Likely the most prevalent situation is to ensure
lifelong employability, which means taking the initiative
to participate in a range of Continuing Professional Development
activities that increase your communication, business acumen
and leadership skills. The rapid nature of business evolution
supports survival of the fittest and this includes differentiation
from other technology practitioners outside APEGGA.
4) What do you bring to this job that
is unique or of particular interest to members?
· Well, having been around the block certainly helps.
I guess my interest in the big picture and the national landscape
allows me to look to the outcomes as a priority rather than
the means to get there.
· I believe I have good leadership, facilitator and
communication skills, but I hope to improve notably.
· I enjoy the role as chairman of meetings or groups
and encouraging others to participate in decision making.
Being somewhat unflappable helps.
"I suspect the
corporations (including permit holders) who use the services
and skills of our members do not have a strong bias to what
would be different if our regulatory role was absent."
5) What kind of perspective does your
career background provide?
· I enjoyed a long career, consulting to business
and industrial corporations and governments. I have a good
perspective of how to ask the questions on what customer needs
and expectations are.
· Having worked on exciting projects throughout western
Canada and the Arctic, I understand the diversity of our role
and audiences.
6) How did you become interested and
involved in APEGGA?
· I started at the branch level in 1977 as chair and
have been involved intermittently ever since. As one of the
founders and the ongoing operator of the APEGGA Golf Tournament
for 25 years, I have maintained dialogue with many members.
7) Do you have any APEGGA or other
mentors you'd like to mention?
· I have been fortunate to have many good mentors
starting with Jack Clark, P.Eng., in my formative years as
a consultant and Larry Staples, P.Eng., as a big picture realist,
as well as several other members of the community who help
me to keep professionalism in perspective. Most importantly,
my wife, who is a continual source of common sense and ability
to focus on the real issues at hand -- being family, society
expectations and personal growth.
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