The Association on Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) is hosting its 9^th annual Summit Awards® celebrating the professional accomplishments, technological innovation, and community service of APEGGA members. Eight awards are presented. From oil sands research and bridge design to volunteer work, the award recipients significantly contribute to the growth and prosperity of Alberta.

The Summit Awards® raise awareness of the contributions made to society by the more than 30,000 APEGGA members. Nominations were received from Association members and industry. Just over 800 guests have accepted the mission to rendezvous in Calgary for this "top-secret" event. Tonight's gala is being emceed by Brenda Finley, former CBC Alberta anchorperson and includes performances by the Kit Kat Club, Dave Babcock and His Orchestra and Calgary's Dance With France ensemble.

Established in 1920, APEGGA serves society by regulating, enhancing and providing leadership in the practice of engineering, geology and geophysics in Alberta. Over the past several years, the Association has implemented a number of activities designed to raise public awareness of these professions, as well as to inspire and encourage young people to pursue scientific careers.

Note: A list of the 1999 Summit Awards® recipients is attached.

Tracey Horne-Pettipas, Public Affairs Officer
Sherrell Steele, Manager, Public Relations
Tel: (403) 262-7714 Tel: (780) 426-3990 or 1-800-661-7020
Fax: (403) 269-2787 Fax: (780) 426-1877

Dr. Behie is a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Calgary. His research is unusual in that it applies the basic principles of chemical reaction engineering to the animal cell biotechnology field, the energy sector and the environmental field. This includes the large scale production of mammalian neural-brain stem cells, which may aid in the future development of treatments for brain and spinal cord disorders, and therapeutic proteins from genetically engineered animal cells, used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Dr. Behie has also been working on the development of a new pyrolysis process for the upgrading of Canadian heavy oils.

An electrical engineer since 1960, Mr. Irving’s service to the Association is extensive. In 1982-83, he chaired the Lethbridge Branch. He continued his activities as a member of Council, a member and chair of the Discipline Committee, second vice president, first vice president and president (in 1989-90). During his term as APEGGA president, key committee chairs and senior APEGGA staff carried out the Association’s first strategic planning sessions.

Mr. Rogan has led a very successful career that now sees him preside over his privately-owned company, Taku Gas Ltd. During the last 30 years, Mr. Rogan has served a large number of community organizations. Since boyhood, he has been active in Scouts Canada and was awarded the Silver Wolf by the Governor General of Canada. He was an initiator in the development of the Calgary Indian Friendship Centre and the Calgary Academy, a private school for learning disabled children. He has also served in executive capacities at Heritage Park Society, Woods Home, YMCA, Sir Winston Churchill High School and Mount Royal College.

Mr. Ali, a structural/bridge engineer and project manager with UMA Engineering Ltd. has played prominent roles in numerous projects from functional design to construction completion of highway, railway and industrial bridges, transportation structures and heavy industrial structures. He has implemented total quality management in the consulting engineering environment and encourages the application of health and safety programs at construction sites. Mr. Ali has been very supportive of the APEGGA professional development program and also been a mentor of university graduate students for several years.

Honorary Life Membership is bestowed on Mr. Motyka for his outstanding service to the Association. He has served as chair of the Roles and Responsibilities Task Force, which introduced the Association’s new governance model; as a member of the executive search team to select the executive director in 1996; and as chair and member of the Discipline Committee. In 1991 he retired from Gulf Canada Resources as vice president, production. He was president and CEO of Canada Hibernia Holding Corp. from April 1993 to April 1995 and is currently president of Questor Technology Inc. where he is actively involved in commercializing environmentally friendly inventions. Mr. Motyka is completing his term as president of the Association.

Mr. Isley is the founder of Risley Equipment (parent company is Risley Manufacturing Ltd.), a company he started in 1984 to address the needs of the forest industry. Mr. Isley., who employs several engineers, founded his company on innovative engineering aptitude and an ability to turn excellent product ideas into commercial products. Mr. Isley is a holder of numerous patents. He sets a superb example for all engineers, particularly those who make a living producing commercially viable new inventions.

The Dow Chemical Fort Saskatchewan expansion project doubled the capacity of the existing ethylene extraction plant (LHC1) and entailed the construction of the largest ethane-based ethylene train in the world. During the course of the project, success was achieved in three benchmark criteria of key deliverables: operability, cost and schedule as measured by an independent benchmarking firm, Independent Project Analysis. Furthermore, the project’s safety record was an impressive 0.25 lost time cases per 200,000 work hours.