PEG Magazine - Spring 2016

FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT/VICE-PRESIDENT George Eynon, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.)

George Eynon, P.Geo., FGC, FEC (Hon.), was born in London, U.K., and immigrated to Canada in 1970 after obtaining his B.Sc. in Geology from the University of London and teaching high school for one year. In 1972, George completed his M.Sc. at

development coordinator with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in London, U.K., and the other is a forensic auditor with Deloitte in Dallas, TX. APEGA Activities • Councillor, APEGA Council (2012–present) • Member, Chair, and Past Chair, Practice Review Board (1995–1998) • Member (1975–present) Affiliations and Community Service • President, Geoscientists Canada (2015-present) • Honorary Fellow, Engineers Canada (2014) • Fellow, Geoscientists Canada (2013) • Member, Board of Directors, Geoscientists Canada (2013–present) • Member and Board Sponsor, ERCB United Way internal campaign (2008–2013) • Executive, numerous committees, AAPG (2003-2004) • Certified Petroleum Geologist (#5716), AAPG Division of Professional Affairs (2001–present) • Member, Saskatchewan and B.C. Committees, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (1991–1993) • Industry Partner, Junior Achievement, Project Business Classroom (1989–1993) • Member, Board of Directors, Petroleum Communications Foundation (1985–1992) What is the single defining issue facing Alberta’s engineering and geoscience professions in the immediate future? Is self- regulation a regulatory model that makes sense? What is the right balance, between Professional Member volunteers and paid staff, in carrying out APEGA’s legislated functions on the Investigative, Discipline and Enforcement Review committees and the Board of Examiners? What form of governance model will serve us best? While revising and renewing our enabling legislation is one of the most important tasks APEGA is undertaking with the provincial government, our regulatory functions must become our primary focus — especially if we want to remain self- regulating professions. If we, as professionals in engineering and geoscience, are to maintain and fulfill the social contract and privilege granted by the government and public, APEGA must become much more active in the investigation, compliance, enforcement, and discipline of professional practice, both of individuals and companies. Investigation, compliance, enforcement, and discipline require staff with specific experience in those areas. Peer engineers and geoscientists must continue to conduct the reviews; but APEGA needs to expand the staff support capabilities in these areas significantly, with people who have the requisite pro- fessional regulatory skills and experience that Professional Members lack. We need to design a governance model that best suits the APEGA regulatory focus.

McMaster University, where his thesis garnered an award from the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG). Shortly after, he began his professional career in oil and gas exploration and production when he joined Amoco in Calgary. George has moved through increasingly senior technical, management, and executive positions with various companies over the course of more than 20 years in the exploration and production sector. He has held positions worldwide but has remained primarily in Western Canada, the United States, the North Sea, Pakistan, and Indonesia. For 15 years, he provided energy resources consulting and research services with GEOS Energy Consulting, Ziff Energy, Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), and the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI). In 2008, George was appointed to the board of the ERCB — Alberta’s oil and gas industry regulator. He also served as a hearing commissioner with its successor, AER. In early 2014, George’s company, GEOS-Eynon & Associates, began consulting on regulatory issues and community and stakeholder relations, as well as board and governance advice and services for governments, companies, and the public. He currently teaches at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business and instructs energy literacy short courses for industry, government, and the public through Oak Leaf Energy Training. George is a frequent speaker, panelist, and moderator at energy, technical, and regulatory conferences. He has also presented numerous technical contributions worldwide, taught short courses across North America and Europe, and represented regional and federal governments in Europe on oil and gas issues. He has been a frequent guest commentator on energy issues for radio (local, national, and international), TV, and print media. He has served as president of CSPG and has been on numerous CSPG and American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) committees. He has been chair of the AAPG House of Delegates and served on its Executive Committee. He is currently a board member of the Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources and has chaired/organized the technical programs for several conferences and conventions for CSPG, CERI, CERA, and AAPG. George is currently on the program-organizing committee for the 2018 Resources for Future Generations Conference in Vancouver. George and his wife, Joyce, currently live in Calgary. Together, they have two adult daughters. One daughter is leadership

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