SHINING STARS

2016 APEGS AWARD WINNERS

Friend of the Professions Award

Ben Freitag was born and raised in Regina. His passion for science, engineering, and learning was instilled in him at an early age, in large part due to his parents’ careers in education and engineering.

Ben began his career as the coordinator of the University of Regina’s Educating Youth in Engineering and Science (EYES) Program in 2009. In this role, Ben led a team to create youth programs to spark curiosity and learning in the fields of science, engineering and technology. His work at EYES also included a strong commitment to engaging under-represented youth and targeting lower-income neighbourhoods.

Ben served on the planning committee of the Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology Conference held in Regina in May 2014.

Ben has a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Bachelor of Education and is currently completing a Masters of Education, all from the University of Regina.

The Promising Member Award

Beatriz de Freitas, P.Eng. was born in Brazil and moved to Canada at the age of two. She graduated with a bachelor of science in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan in 2006. After graduation, she was hired by UMA (now AECOM).

Over the last 10 years, she has worked on many exciting projects including the Circle Drive South utilities design, pipeline condition asset management for the City of Toronto and City of Saskatoon, civil design

for the K+S Potash Legacy mine, as well as design and construction administration projects around Saskatchewan.

Through her work on the APEGS K to 12 Committee, she connects professionals with students at career fairs, presentations and other various volunteer opportunities.

She is Chair of the Women in Consulting Committee for the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of Saskatchewan and is the Chair Elect for the Western Canada Water Environment Association.

The Environmental Excellence Award

David deMontigny, Ph.D., P.Eng. is the Associate Dean, Special Projects and Student Services and an Associate Professor, Engineering at the University of Regina. His background is in industrial systems engineering, and his research program has been primarily focused on the postcombustion capture of CO2.

David has a long history of contributing to environmental and community issues. He is a researcher with the Clean Energy Technologies Institute which helps coordinate CO2 Capture and clean energy activities for the University of Regina.

He has published numerous papers on carbon-capture technology in peer-reviewed journals around the world.

On May 6, 2014, David helped organize the “Greening Professionals for Sustainability” conference. Together with the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science co-hosted this roundtable event. Representatives from a range of fields discussed professional responsibilities with respect to climate change and sustainability in their work.

The Exceptional Engineering and Geoscience Project Award

SED Systems from Saskatoon made major contributions to the European Space Agency’s Rosetta Mission.

Rosetta is a space probe built and launched by the ESA in March 2004. Along with Philae, its lander module, Rosetta is performing a detailed study of comet 67P/ Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Located at Innovation Place in Saskatoon, SED designed, tested and constructed three 35-metre wide satellite dishes in Australia, Spain and Argentina to communicate with the unmanned Rosetta probe and its dishwasher-sized lander. Each dish took at least three years to design, build and calibrate.

Each massive dish weighs about 500 tonnes and is as tall as a six-storey building.

The project required SED teams to push the envelope of engineering innovation, such as incorporating cryogenically cooled receivers, to minimize interference from electronics on the ground.

The McCannel Award

Malcolm Reeves, P.Eng., P.Geo., FEC, FGC. is a retired hydrogeologist and geological engineering consultant. He is considered one of the leading groundwater experts in western Canada.

Malcolm was born in England. He attended Durham University where he completed his undergraduate degree in Geology and his PhD in Engineering Geology.

He worked as an engineer and geoscientist in Britain until 1982. He then moved to Canada when he accepted a position as professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. He served at the university, in a wide range of roles, from 1982 until 2011. He retired as Acting Associate Dean of Engineering in July 2011.

Malcolm also helped found consulting firm MDH Engineered Solutions in 1995. MDH was sold to SNC Lavelin in 2011.

With APEGS, Malcolm has served on many committees and as a Councillor. He is currently a member and past-chair of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board.

In 2009, he became a Fellow of Engineers Canada and in 2013 became a Fellow of Geoscience Canada.

The Outstanding Achievement Award

Klaus Ottenbreit P.Eng, A.ScT.was born and raised in Regina. He received a diploma in Electronics Technology from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Moose Jaw.

In 1979, Klaus accepted a position in the Faculty of Engineering, University of Regina as a Laboratory Instructor. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Information Systems Engineering while working full time.

Klaus pioneered many of the labs and lab performance standards in the Electronic Systems Engineering program. Klaus estimates he taught well over 1,000 students during his 22-year tenure. In 1999, he received a University of Regina “Inspiring Teaching Award”.

In 2001, Klaus accepted a position with SaskTel Mobility as a Radio Engineer, responsible for planning SaskTel’s new digital network. In 2008, he moved to CUETS Financial as Vice-President and Senior Smart Card Strategist on the Payment Solutions and Innovation team.

In 2011, Klaus re-joined SaskTel. He now works as a strategic planner within the Marketing team.

The Brian Eckel Distinguished Service Award

Albert Munro, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Honorary) is the Vice President and General

Manager of Associated Engineering for the Saskatchewan & Manitoba Region, where he is responsible for the business and engineering operations of the company. He is also the Vice President and General Manager of ATAP Infrastructure Management and the Director of the Asset Management Division for the Associated Engineering Group of Companies.

Bert first earned a Diploma in Water Resources Engineering Technology through SIAST before studying Biology at the University of Manitoba. After that, Bert received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan.

Much of this work has been in remote locations and for northern and First Nations communities.

Bert is a Past President of APEGS, the Western Canada Water and Wastewater Association and the Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan, and Past Chair of ACEC-SK. Bert has also served as a Volunteer with the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering; the University of Saskatchewan; SIAST; the Columbarium at St. John’s Cathedral; and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Bert is a past recipient of the McCannel Award. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and Fellow of Engineers Canada and a Honorary Fellow of Geoscientists Canada. Bert has been recognized by the American Water Works Association, Western Canada Water, APEGS, the ACEC-SK and the Lt. Governor of Saskatchewan, with the Meritorious Achievement Award. He was also recently honored by the Canadian Cancer Society.