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Paul Elliott, P.Eng., has been a member of APEGGA
since 1971. He received his education in England at Nottingham
and Norwich. Paul currently runs his own company, Elliott
Engineering Limited.
Paul has volunteered on many committees during his time as
an APEGGA member, including the Calgary District Meetings
Committee, Calgary Branch Executive, Professional Development
Committee, and the University of Calgary Student Liaison Committee.
He currently sits on the Investigative Committee and he's
also an Outreach volunteer.
Why do you volunteer with APEGGA?
Serving as a volunteer for the first few years you become
hooked. You get to know so many people it's impossible to
remember all their names. Getting together at annual functions
and meeting people in other professions is such a tremendous
experience. There is no way you can quit. I love this Association
and I would do anything to maintain the high level of professionalism
that exists within its membership. The Outreach program is
an excellent opportunity to meet teachers and children working
at the Grade 3 and 6 levels.
Can you recall a particularly
memorable volunteer experience?
There have been many memorable experiences. As the chairman
of the Calgary District Meetings Committee I organized a seminar
with Roger Boisjoly, P.Eng., as the guest speaker. He was
an engineer with Morton Thyokol at the time of the Challenger
disaster. I also organized another seminar on the English
Channel Tunnel, now commonly referred to as the Chunnel. We
brought Richard Storer over from the U.K. to speak about the
construction and progress of the Chunnel. On a lighter note,
while presenting to a Grade 3 class I was asked by one of
the girls if I was married. I think a lot of the volunteer
presenters have been asked that question at some time or other.
What made you decide to become
an engineer?
My dad had a book titled How it is Made. I must have read
most of this book and looked at the pictures hundreds of times.
I must have brainwashed myself because all I wanted to do
was become a person who builds things. Entering an apprenticeship
seemed to be the way to do it, and would you believe it, "Now
I are a Injuneer" - I must admit I saw that statement
in university in 1970. I like to think that my career has
been a blast, it's been exciting, ever since I started in
1950 in Nottingham, England.
Is there a person who has been
helpful in your development as a professional?
I would have to say the people who have had the most significant
influence on my life are the multitudes of professionals I
have come into contact with throughout my time volunteering.
I have a great respect for the staff at both the Edmonton
and Calgary APEGGA offices, members of many of the committees
of the Association and all of the other volunteers I have
come in contact with. Also I have great respect for the legal
profession and especially those lawyers that work with the
Association on the committees.
What are your other hobbies and
activities?
I like doing model railways but don't have much time. I make
wine and I have to make time for that. I teach five or six
classes a week in step aerobics and aquasize and at my young
age I not only keep healthy but I also get paid for it. It's
a win-win situation. With all of the volunteering that I do
there is a bit of time left to watch TV, so my wife tapes
the programs we like. That way no time is wasted watching
adverts.
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