FOR COUNCIL
Geoffrey Kneller, P.Eng.
Professional Highlights • Senior engineer specializing in municipal and land development projects, with more than 20 years of engineering experience in oil and gas, high-tech, and public-sector municipal engineering • 22 years’ experience as a Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force Officer providing planning, leadership, training and public engagement for cadet programs in Southern Alberta Volunteer • Chair of the APEGA Enforcement Review Committee, providing guidance to Council and administration on the enforcement of title and practice provisions of the EGP Act
Question Responses
What does self-regulation mean to you as a member of APEGA? From my experience as an APEGA volunteer contributing to self-regulation, I’ve seen how easy it could be to lose this privilege. Our neighbours in British Columbia have been faced with self- regulation challenges this year, and it’s taken an organized effort by their Council and membership to open a dialogue with their provincial government on new legislation. APEGA must continually demonstrate to Albertans that we stand up for public safety—otherwise, self-regulation could slip away. Why are you running for Council and why do you think it’s important to serve in this way? I’m running because it’s important for engineers and geoscientists to lead the way on Alberta’s economic recovery, and I think serving on Council is the best way I can contribute to that goal. I’ve always believed it’s important to serve and to contribute my experience: in professional practice, as a Responsible Member, as a reservist, and as a volunteer serving as the chair of APEGA’s Enforcement Review Committee.
What challenges do today’s engineers and geoscientists face? We need to get more members of Alberta’s talent pool of engineers and geoscientists back to work, so they can contribute to economic recovery. We all know friends and colleagues who have been out of work and recent grads who can’t find a first job in this economy. APEGA can address that challenge by working to pass a new act with tools to enhance public safety and discourage unlicensed, unregulated competition in Alberta. What is the value of professional membership in APEGA? I’ve had a lot of opportunity to ponder that question while mentoring new members joining our professions. Ultimately, the value of becoming a professional member is a win-win: our members get access to opportunities to build exciting careers in engineering and geoscience; and Albertans benefit from the safe, cost-effective engineering services we need to develop the infrastructure our economy requires to keep moving ahead.
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