FEBRUARY 2005 ISSUE
new staff
APEGGA Hires Investigations Manager
When Rob Schappert, P.Eng., looked to Alberta for possible relocation, the advertisement for an APEGGA Manager of Investigations caught his eye. The Saskatchewan-educated engineer had already been an APEGGA member for about eight years. He had project management experience in the free enterprise and government realms. His private company was between projects.
To top it off, a daughter and son-in-law live in Edmonton.
“It was one of those life readjustments. And the job is very much in line with my experience,” said Mr. Schappert. “It's a good fit.”
Mr. Schappert and his wife, Judy, lived and worked in Regina for 32 years before selling their home over the summer. They moved his company to Langenburg, Sask., and moved their household to their cottage, just across the boundary in Shellmouth, Man.
The late Stewart McIntosh, P.Eng., was APEGGA's last director in charge of investigations. Mr. McIntosh was a well respected director and engineer, inside and outside the organization.
The shoes are big ones, but Mr. Schappert won't be trying to fill them. “I have my own management style, and I plan to put my own stamp on the position,” he said.
He's comfortable with the challenge. “I don't feel like the water's too deep for me. I'll treat the job like a project and manage the department like I would a business.”
And he has plenty of big projects in his past. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Schappert was a self-employed project manager consultant and team builder, largely in the agricultural sector.
He was a project manager with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool from 1981 to 1999, eventually managing a construction program of 22 full-service grain elevators with a total value of more than $300 million.
Before the wheat pool, Mr. Schappert worked for Dominion Construction Company, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and several Government of Saskatchewan departments.
Mr. Schappert graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972 with a civil engineering degree. Over the years, his professional development included a number of certificates and courses, including a University of Regina certificate of administration and an international Project Manager Professional certificate from the Project Management Institute.
He's also a registered engineer in four provinces — Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“Rob brings with him an excellent background in engineering as an employee, a consultant and a project manager,” said Deputy Registrar Al Schuld, P.Eng. “His experience will serve us well as he works with the Investigative Committee, in other roles and on other assignments as needed.”
The Schapperts' daughter works with special needs children in Edmonton. She is a medic and master corporal in the reserves, and her husband is in the regular forces. He's also a medic and master corporal, and is serving in Afghanistan.
Japan is currently home for the Schapperts' son. He has a degree in philosophy
and is under contract teaching English in the earthquake centre of the world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Smith's Chief Of Staff Returns To Association
The experience of working for one mayor and two premiers comes to APEGGA with the hiring of Pat Lobregt, Manager, Executive and External Liaison. Ms. Lobregt, who most recently was chief of staff and executive assistant to Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith, reports to Executive Director & Registrar Neil Windsor, P.Eng.
Before joining the mayor's staff, Ms. Lobregt was an APEGGA executive assistant from 1993 to 1995. She's pleased to be back.
“I have a very healthy respect for the members this organization represents,” said Ms. Lobregt.
“I had a wonderful experience working here the last time. But I decided to take the job with the mayor because of the opportunities it presented.”
After Mr. Smith was defeated in the November municipal elections, Ms. Lobregt accepted the new APEGGA position.
“This is a great opportunity to put the contacts to use that I've developed in the municipal and provincial orders of government,” she said. Her experience is particularly relevant because of APEGGA's role as a self-governing body under provincial legislation.
Ms. Lobregt was executive assistant to Premier Don Getty from 1985 to 1992, senior administrative assistant to Premier Peter Lougheed from 1980 to 1985, and administrative assistant to Lou Hyndman from 1971 to 1985 in three successive provincial portfolios.
“I consider members of APEGGA as clients who I need to help and assist, in much the same way taxpayers are clients of provincial and municipal governments,” she said.
Ms. Lobregt and her husband, John, have a son, a daughter and two grandchildren. John Lobregt has retired after 25 years with the Edmonton Police Service and 10 with Alberta Justice.
“Pat's extensive government experience is a great addition to my office and to the APEGGA executive,” said Mr. Windsor. “We're delighted to have her return to APEGGA, bringing with her a wealth of experience and network contacts that will be extremely valuable in our role of reaching out to the community and our members. APEGGA is changing, and Pat will be a big part of that change.”