APEGA
“We have such a pool of expertise here and so many areas of our economy that can benefit. Let’s put them together and see what happens.”
Could you expand on that? JT Right now, it’s a concept rather than a concrete plan. My hope is that APEGA can help Members leverage their innovation and problem- solving abilities into industries and projects that perhaps aren’t traditional or obvious fits. We have such a pool of expertise here and so many areas of our economy that can benefit. Let’s put them together and see what happens. Your engineering practice experience is in oil and gas from consultancy through to international player. How will this range of experience inform your presidency? JT I believe my experience allows me to see issues in different ways. I understand how we think in this province and country. Having worked with people from almost every continent, I also understand how other people view various situations, how they view us, and how they view our professional qualifications. The reputations of our Members and Permit Holders, both domestically and internationally, are important to all of us and they need to be protected. When you take this need to protect our reputation and combine it with our overriding role of protecting the public, you can see why APEGA has undergone such an extensive review of our legislation. We are moving from being less of a reactive regulator to more of a proactive one, and that benefits everyone.
Similar question. You’re a rancher, a community volunteer, and a promoter of women in science. How will your experiences in these areas inform your work as President? JT I believe that I bring a unique perspective to the table. I live in a smaller community, in a rural setting, but I have worked and lived for years in an urban setting. So I understand many of the challenges that impact rural Albertans and urban Albertans. As a rancher, you protect the land, your livestock, and your water supplies. You understand what it is like to go without power in a storm; fixing your line impacts only 10 customers, whereas fixing a line in the city impacts thousands. You learn to appreciate the simpler things in life and celebrate what the big city might look at as minor successes. My family have volunteered in various capacities from the earliest time I can remember to today. I was raised to believe that we each have the power to create change. It is our choice. We can sit on the sidelines and complain or get involved and make the world a better place. I have worked over the years to encourage our youth, both male and female, to enter the engineering and geoscience professions. Our society needs these bright minds helping shape the world. We need to support our youth in reaching their maximum potential, regardless of gender and background. I think that I will be able to make a positive contribution to the Association and our Members. I look forward to the next year and what we — Council and staff — can accomplish on behalf of our Members, our Permit Holders, and the public of Alberta.
SUMMER 2017 PEG | 11
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