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MORE TROUBLEFOR CONSUMER CRUSADER
JULIE MATTHEWSFIRST AID MISTAKESYOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE
THE TRUTH ABOUT WORK AND LIFE AT
OUT OF ANTARCTICASPENCER SMIRL DESCRIBES HIS AMAZING ADVENTURE
ARCHITECT BRAD KENNEDY’S
HEIGHT OF LUXURY P. 50
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TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS
techlife > contentsON THE COVER24 First aid mistakes you
don’t want to make
38 Out of Antarctica: Spencer Smirl describes his amazing adventure
45 More trouble for consumer crusader Julie Matthews
50 Architect Brad Kennedy’s height of luxury
53 Getting down to earth with Lynn Crawford
63 The truth about work and life at Facebook
INNOVATE27 Sparks will Fly
KyleWaltonforgesabusinessfromtheancientcraftofblacksmithing
31 Bring on the Manufacturing Renaissance HowthreealumniareusheringinaneweconomicerabymakingitinAlberta
PEOPLE37 184,000 Strong
Afamilyportrait:NAITalumni,thenandnow,by
thenumbers
38 Spencer Smirl at the Edge of the World Aheavyequipmentmechanicspent11monthsinAntarctica–andlivedtotellthetale
45 Looking for TroubleFormerGlobalTVTroubleshooterJulieMatthewsmakesherroleasaconsumercrusaderofficial
50 Urban PearlArchitectBradKennedytakesluxurydowntownlivingtonewheights
CULINAIT53 Lessons from a Butcher’s
DaughterLynnCrawford,2014HokansonChefinResidence,groundsculinarystudentsintherealityofthejourneytolifeasacelebritychef
57 RecipeChefLynnCrawford’ssalmoncevichewithlime-marinatedbeets
DEPARTMENTS6 The Latest from
techlifemag.ca Yoursourceforexclusivecontent
7 Contributors
8 Editor’s Note
11 Connectionswiththe
President
13 TechnofileTechnology,innovation,news
21 3 QuestionsThestateandfutureofAlberta’shomebuildingindustry
22 Ask an ExpertRRSPvs.TFSA
Cover photo By BlaisevanMalsen
38 45 13
4 techlifemag.ca
13 66
27
Matt Bell –Marketing’12(p.66)
Ralph Boonstra –IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’73(p.13)
Dale-Marie Cumberbatch – DigitalandInteractiveMedia’08,ComputerNetworkAdministration’09,BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’12(p.65)
Roger Dootson–Carpenter’77(p.65)
Andre Gagnon–HeavyEquipmentTechnician’02(p.65)
Malcolm Haines–SheetMetalWorker’94(p.17)
Julia Hogendoorn–CulinaryArts’14(p.56)
Trevor Hoover–ArchitecturalTechnology’89(p.21)
Kristin Jacobs–DigitalMediaandIT’13(p.17)
Brad Kennedy–ArchitecturalTechnology’86(p.50)
Kyle Kulyk–DigitalMediaandIT’11(p.65)
Wayne Land–Management’70(p.65)
Klint Langstaff–ArchitecturalTechnology’99(p.21)
Brendan Lunty–CombinedLabandX-RayTechnology’04(p.65)
Julie Matthews–RadioandTelevision’95(p.45)
James Osualdini–ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’11(p.33)
Jim Rakievich–HeavyDutyMechanic’82(p.34)
Dylan Reade¬RadioandTelevision’85(p.18)
Susan Reade¬RadioandTelevision’85(p.18)
Steve Reid–BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’11,Electrician’96,AirConditioningEngineeringTechnology’87(p.59)
Landon Schedler–Carpenter’10(p.66)
Michael Scheideman–RefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanic’13(p.65)
Trent Schneider–DigitalMediaandIT’13(p.17)
Roberto Sgambaro–CommercialCooking’86(p.35)
Spencer Smirl–HeavyEquipmentTechnician’07(p.38)
Burhan Syed–ComputerEngineeringTechnology’97(p.63)
Laura Tailleur–Marketing’09(p.66)
Kathleen Versteegt–GraphicCommunications’06,ComputerSystemsTechnology’08,DigitalMediaandIT’10(p.15)
Jeremy Walter–ArchitecturalTechnology’03(p.21)
Kyle Walton–Pre-Technology’03(p.27)
Neil Wenger–ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’79(p.19)
David Yowney–IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’78(p.16)
NAIT ALUMNI FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE24 How to
Firstaidmistakesyou
don’twanttomake
59 SpacesSubterraneanNAIT
61 5 Ways to Get Involved with NAIT Givebackinmorewaysthanone
63 Job DescriptionChangingtheworldthroughFacebook
65 AcclaimAward-winninggrads,staffandfriends
66 RewindHistoryinhardwood
v8.1 2014 5
TECHLIFEMAG.CA
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Sunny daysEntrepreneurAbdoulDiawara(AlternativeEnergyTechnology’13)seesabrightfutureforsolarpowerinWestAfrica.techlifemag.ca/abdoul-diawara.htm
It’s about timeFindoutwherethehoursgowiththesefivetipsforbettertimemanagement.techlifemag.ca/time-management.htm
Purr-fectly executedHowLindaHoang(RadioandTelevision’11)successfullyorganizedEdmonton’sfirstinternationalcatfestival.techlifemag.ca/event-organizing.htm
A bee-utiful storyInstructorJocelynCrockeriscreatingabuzzwithEdmonton’sbackyardbeekeepingpilotproject.techlifemag.ca/bees.htm
The running manBrendanLunty(CombinedLabandX-RayTechnology’04)isoneofAlberta’sfastestmarathonrunners.Notlongago,hewasn’t.techlifemag.ca/brendan-lunty.htm
The racer’s edgeBehindeverygreatdragsterdriverisagreatmechanic.DanBrochu(AutomotiveServicesTechnician’84)isonesuchmechanic.techlifemag.ca/drag-racing.htm
Going soloHowtogetnoticedforalltherightreasonsandstopstandingoutinacrowd.techlifemag.ca/go-solo.htm
Revivin’ the drive-inFredThompson(Management’12)isdriventobringbackaquintessentialprairiesummerexperienceofoutdoorcinema.techlifemag.ca/drive-in.htm
Having her cakeHowDarcyScott(Baking’08)crowdfundedherwaytoowningtheWhimsicalCakeStudio.techlifemag.ca/whimsical-cake.htm
Great handshake!
SO THEN I SAYS, I SAYS...
Betweenprintissuesoftechlife,wepostnewstoriesattechlifemag.ca.Tostayintheknow–andreceiveusefulcontent,includingrecipesandhow-tostories–signupforoure-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.Here’sasample.
the latest from techlifemag.ca
CONTRIBUTORS
techlifev8.1 2014
people technology innovationtechlifemag.ca
editor SherriKrastelmanaging and online editorScottMessengerassociate editorShellyDeckerart directorDerekLuedesignersDruDavids,RoryLee,AndyOviatt,TinaTomljenoviccopy editorRuthGrenvillecirculation managerNicoleRose(Marketing’08)advertising managerLynnRyancontributing writers FionaBensler,MartaGold,LindaHoang(RadioandTelevision’11),FrankLandry,MifiPurvis,SpencerSmirl(HeavyEquipmentTechnician’07),BlaisevanMalsencontributing photographers LeighKovesy(PhotographicTechnology’01),JeanetteSesay(PhotographicTechnology’10),BlaisevanMalsensubscriptionsSendchangesofaddresstocirculation@techlifemag.ca.
Signupforthetechlifemag.cae-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.freelance submissionsSendqueriestoeditor@techlifemag.ca.Wedonotacceptunsolicitedmanuscripts.letters to the [email protected] and circulation [email protected]
TechlifemagazineispublishedtwiceayearbyNAITMarketingandCommunications.Onlinefeaturesarepublishedregularlyattechlifemag.ca.OpinionsexpressedarenotnecessarilythoseofNAITortheeditorialteam.
TechlifeisaproudmemberoftheAlbertaMagazinePublishersAssociation,abidingbythenationalmagazineadvertising/editorialguidelines(albertamagazines.com).
Ruth GrenvillehasalwaysbeenfondoftheUnionJack.HerEnglishmummarriedherdashing-in-uniformdad,aCanadiansoldier,in1946,thencametothePrairiesasawarbride.“IgrewupwithteacoziesandYorkshirepuddingandasenseofanotherworldoverseas.”It’snowonderthatGrenvilletookhercareertotheU.K.,wheresheworkedinpublishingandthenpost-secondarymarketingfor12years.Yethomeisdefinitelyhere.“IamthrilledtobebackinAlberta,”shesays.Ascopyeditorfortechlife,sheistryingtogetoverBritishspelling,whilemindingherPsandQs.
PAGE f 22 & 24
Asaformerjournalist,techlife’sassociateeditorShelly Deckerisastrongadvocateforaccurate,relevantandinterestingstorytelling.Forthepastdecadeshe’sbeenabletomergeherpassionsforjournalismandeducationbyteachingatMacEwanUniversitywheresheservedaschairofitsformerjournalismdiplomaprogram.Avoraciousreader,naturelover,andafailureatgettingherWheatentoheel,Decker’sgreatestjoycomesfromhertwoamazingsons.Asabusymom,Deckerknowsfirst-handtheneedforfirstaidcertification,whichiswhyshe’shappytowriteaboutcommonfirstaidmistakesinthisissue.
PAGE f 27, 53 & 59
AmemberofNAIT’scommunicationsteamandlong-timenewsandfeaturesreporter,Marta Goldlikesfewthingsmorethanfood–cookingit,eatingitandwritingaboutit.ThatmadeheranaturaltofollowcelebritychefLynnCrawfordaroundduringherweekasHokansonChefinResidenceatNAITlastMarch.Turnsouttheyshareafondnessforpickles,candyanddogs(butnotasfood).Whenshe’snotatwork,you’llfindGoldhangingoutwithhersons(twoofthethingsshedoeslikebetterthanfood),runningintherivervalley(tiedwithfood)andreviewingrestaurantsfortheEdmonton Journal.
PAGE f 24, 31 & 66
Rory LeestartedhisgraphicdesigncareerinhisnativeLondon,England,wherehestudiedtypographyandillustrationattheLondonCollegeofCommunication.AftermovingtoEdmontonfiveyearsago,hehasworkedonamultitudeofprojects,fromeditorialdesigntobrandinginternationalcompaniesandeverythinginbetween.Whenhe’snotonhisMac,hecanbefoundmountainbikingintherivervalley,playingfootball(soccer,ifyouprefer),paintinginhisstudio,ordrinkingcopiousamountsofteawhilelisteningtoElgar.
v8.1 2014 7
EDITOR’S NOTE
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it was a hot summer day whenIfirstreadSpencer Smirl’s(HeavyEquipmentTechnician’07)accountofhis11-monthexpeditiontoAntarctica.Despitetheheat,hisstorymademeshiver,inpartfromimaginingthefrigidtemperaturestheheavyequipmenttechnicianfaced,butmostlyinresponsetotheremotenessandsheerscaleofhisexperienceandtheprideinhiswords(p.38).
WhiletheexpeditiondidnotachieveitsgoalofcrossingAntarctica,theeffortwasasuccessonmanylevels.Hisaccountofsurvivingtheroughseasandlivinginashippingcontaineronthefrozencontinentisafascinatingstoryofourcapacitytostepoutsideourcomfortzoneandfacephysicalandmentalchallengeswithdeterminationandoptimism.
NotmanyofuspushourselvestothelengthsthatSmirlandtheColdestJourneyteamdidbutexamplesoffindingwaystofaceuncertaintyappearthroughoutthisissue.
OfftheAfricancoast,northofwhereSmirlsetsailforAntarctica,Dylan Reade(RadioandTelevision’85)spentseveralmonthsin2012chasinglemursinthejunglesofMadagascarwithacameraonhisshoulder(p.18).Thechancetoseethingsnooneelsehadseenmotivatedhimtowork12-to16-hourdays,sevendaysaweekonthe3DImaxfilmIsland of the Lemurs: Madagascar.
And,whilenobody’sreallycomfortableadministeringfirstaidtoaninjuredperson,knowinghowtoavoidcommonlymademistakesmightmakeyoumoreconfidenttostepupandhelpsomeonewhoisbleedingorevensaveanamputatedfinger(p.24).
ChefLynnCrawfordisknownforherenthusiasminthefieldasmuchassheisknownforherexpertiseinthekitchen(p.53).Herweekspentworkingalongsideculinarystudentsasthe2014HokansonChefinResidence–alongwithherstoriesofpickingorangesandworkingonashrimpboat–challengedstudentstorethinktheirfutureandsetasidetheallureofcelebritytofocusonhardwork,self-relianceanddetermination.
Tohelpmakesureyourfutureisacomfortableone,certifiedfinancialplannerandinstructorHardeepGillhasadviceontoolstohelpplanforyourretirement(p.22).There’smoretoRRSPsandTFSAsthanyoumayhavethought.
Thiswinter,whenit’s-20CinEdmontonandwefacetheuncertaintiesoftheseason,I’llthinkofSpencerSmirl–andhispositiveattitudewhileservicingabulldozerin-74C–andberemindedofwhatwe’recapable.
“WHEN IT’S -20 C, I’LL THINK OF
SPENCER SMIRL AND HIS POSITIVE
ATTITUDE.”
8 techlifemag.ca
FOR A LIFETIMEOOK
CELEBRATE ALUMNI SUCCESSNominations are now open for NAIT’s Alumni Recognition Awards!
ALUMNI AWARD OF DISTINCTION Honours alumni who have earned professional prominence and contributed significant service to NAIT or the community.
SPIRIT OF NAIT ALUMNI AWARD Recognizes the remarkable achievements of NAIT alumni within 12 years of graduation.
Do you know a deserving candidate? Submit your nomination by December 31.
The awards will be presented at the Alumni Recognition Awards Ceremony in spring 2015.
FIND OUT MORE: nait.ca/alumniawards
#ookforlife NAIT Alumni
BTECH
The construction industry called for more qualified leaders and NAIT answered. In January 2015, the Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management program will welcome its first group of students to campus. This baccalaureate degree will teach you how to plan, manage and direct large construction projects from start to finish. After graduation, you will immediately add value to your company, the industry and the economy through effective project leadership.
The degree that’s building Alberta
APPLY TODAY | nait.ca/btcm
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
v8.1 2014 9
For more information:Department of Advancement780.471.8800
A bequest is a thoughtful, practical way to make a real impact. It’s a lasting contribution that allows you to give beyond your lifetime.
Bequests to NAIT support students and have enabled hundreds to receive the fi nancial support they need to complete their studies.
YOUR GIFT CANCHANGE THE FUTURE
Charitable Registration Number: 10778 1205 RR0001
Your bequest could:
• establish a student scholarship in your name
• purchase equipment that enables hands-on learning
• fund applied research
A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO
STUDENT SUCCESS
nait.ca
Looking for workers?Online job postingsReach thousands of great candidates by posting your positions online at no charge. Any full-time, part-time, summer or contract positions related to the programs offered at NAIT are welcome.
nait.ca/employerservices
Looking for work? NAIT students and alumni• tailor your job search• connect with employers on campus• access career search information and tips
nait.ca/studentemploymentGOOD wOrk!
NAIT: WHERE EMPLOYERS
AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
COME TOGETHER
10 techlifemag.ca
CONNECTIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT
nait’s visionistobethemostrelevantandresponsivepost-secondaryinstitutioninCanadaandoneoftheworld’sleadingpolytechnics.WepromisethepeopleofAlbertathatwewillmeettheemergingneedsforpolytechniceducationinourprovince.Todosowemustgrow.Thisincludesexpansionofourcurrentprogramsanddevelopmentofnewprogramsalignedwiththeneedsofourprovince.
WearethrilledtointroducetheBachelorofTechnologyinConstructionManagement.Industryadvisers,manyofthemNAITalumni,havetoldusthereisastrongneedforadegreeprogramthatcoversallphasesofmanagingconstruction,fromthedesignstagetocompletionofaproject,includingaccountingandbusinessskills.Graduatesofourtwo-yearConstructionEngineeringTechnologydiplomaprogramcanadvanceseamlesslyintothethirdyearofthisnewprogram.
TheprogramstartsinJanuary2015onapart-timebasis,withclassesintheeveningsandonweekendstoaccommodateemployeesinAlberta’sconstructionsector.NAIT’sBachelorofTechnologyinConstructionManagementwiththetwo-plus-twoformatisafirstforAlberta.Eventually,theprogramwillbeavailableasafull-timeoptionforgraduatesofothertwo-yeardiplomaprograms,includingCivilEngineeringTechnology,ArchitecturalTechnology,andEngineeringDesignandDraftingTechnology.
AT NAITGROWTH
Inadditiontoprogramexpansions,NAITneedstogrowphysically.ThissummerwesignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeCityofEdmontontosetourboundariesontheformermunicipalairportlands.Whilewestillhavealotofworktodo,thisisamajormilestoneinourlong-termplansforcampusconsolidationandourroleintheBlatchfordcommunity.Werecognizetheopportunitiesthislandhasforbuildingastudentresidenceandaredeterminingcostsanddesigns.
ConstructionofourCentreforAppliedTechnologiesisprogressingwell.Atmorethanhalfamillionsquarefeet,thebuildingwillprovideanoutstandinglearningandteachingenvironmentwhenitopensinfall2016.
NAIThasanincrediblefuture–forourstudentsandstaff,ourpartnersinbusinessandindustryandforourprovince.Itisessentialthatouralumniandfriendsjoinusinbuildingthatfuturetogether.
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GlennFeltham,[email protected]
v8.1 2014 11
Sandvik Coromant Academy
Education is an essential key to remaining competitive!Let us share our knowledge on how to modernize the
metal cutting process by updating solutions with the latest in best practices. Sandvik Coromant offers
3 choices for your training convenience.
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To register for our E-learning program please visithttp://www.metalcuttingknowledge.com
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Sandvik Coromant Academy
Education is an essential key to remaining competitive!Let us share our knowledge on how to modernize the
metal cutting process by updating solutions with the latest in best practices. Sandvik Coromant offers
3 choices for your training convenience.
1. 2. 3.
Visit one of ourProductivity Centers.
We can send our trainers to you.
Our new E-Learningprogramme.
To register for our E-learning program please visithttp://www.metalcuttingknowledge.com
or for more information please contact
us at 1-800-268-0703 or visit www.sandvik.coromant.com.
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BEAUTY FROM A BEASTA classic car returns to its former glory.
v8.1 2014 13
an unremarkableedmonton garageandNewYork’sMuseumofModernArthavesomethingincommon.BothhousewhatlegendaryracerandcardesignerEnzoFerraridescribedas“themostbeautifulcarevermade”:theJaguarE-type.
Untilrecently,theEdmontonversionhardlyfitthedescription.RobertBuchananfoundtheiconic1962automobileonKijijilastfallforwhattheSteamfitter/Pipefitterinstructorwillonlysaywasa“bargainofaprice.”HedrovetoCalgarythatsamedaytopickupthebatteredbodyandaboutathousandofitsseveredentrailsfromaretiredBritishaircraftmechanicwhohadshippedthecarfromLondoninthe1980s.Hehadgutteditthengaveupontheproject.
Restoringthecoupehastaken2,000hours;themajoritywasclockedbyfellowaficionadoRalph Boonstra(IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’73),inwhosegaragetheworkwasdone.Boonstrahandledallthemechanicalandbodywork,includingrepainting,whileBuchanandidtheweldingandpiping.Buchananalsosourcedmissingandunsalvageablepartsincludingasetofrare,pristinedomed-glassheadlightcovershefoundonline.Together,theyhaveownedsevenE-typessincethe1970s.
TheE-typewaslaunchedin1961andproduceduntil1975,butearlymodelslikeBuchanan’sarethemostdesirable,rankingamongstthefasteststreet-legalcarsofthedaywithatopspeedof240kilometresperhour.
Buchananplanstosellthecaronline,targetingtheBritishmarketwhereitcouldfetchasmuchas$100,000.Ifheissuccessful,thebeautifulcarwillreturntoitsformerhomeacrossthesea,thistimeashinygreyratherthantherustyredstateinwhichitleft.
—Blaise van Malsen
Robert Buchanan (left) and Ralph Boonstra (below) have together owned seven Jaguar E-types. They found their latest in Calgary.
TECHNOFILE
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14 techlifemag.ca
RESTORING THE COUPE HAS TAKEN 2,000 HOURS.
THE MATCHMAKERkathleen versteegt’s inabilitytofindacompatibleroommatewastheinspirationbehindtheaward-winningbusinessplanforTyperoom.ca.
“Ididn’tknowwhotorenttoatall,”shesays.Versteegt’ssolutionisnotunlikeadatingwebsite.
Users–thosewitharoomtorentorneedingaplace–createaprofile.Roommatescanbesoughtoutbasedonfactorsrangingfromlocationandtherentthey’rewillingtopay,topersonalitytraitsandlifestyle.
“Forexample,Iliketostayupto3a.m.Iknowtherearesomepeoplewhoareinbedby10p.m.Thatwouldnotworkoutverywell,”shesays.
Versteegt’sroommate-matchingconceptwonfirstplacelastwinterinNAIT’sHatchBusinessPlanCompetition.Shereceived$20,000inseedfundingandofficespacewithinNAIT’sDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation.
Versteegt,athree-timealumna(GraphicCommunications’06,ComputerSystemsTechnology’08,DigitalMediaDesign’10)nowenrolledintheBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementprogram,usedthefundstosetupthebusiness,hireadeveloperandgethelpwithmarketing.
Abetaversionofthewebsiteisexpectedtolaunchbywinterattyperoom.ca.It’sfreetouse–revenueisgeneratedthroughadvertising.
AftertargetingtheEdmontonarea,Versteegtplanstoexpandregionallyandbeyond.Thetimingisgood.Edmonton,alongwithCalgary,hasoneofthetightestrentalmarketsinthecountry,withavacancyrateofaround1.4percent.
“Peoplehavehadissueswithroommatesforever,”shesays.“Hopefully,thiscanhelp.”
—Frank Landry
“ PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH ROOMMATES FOREVER. HOPEFULLY, THIS CAN HELP.”
-KATHLEENVERSTEEGT (THREE-TIMEALUMNA) FOUNDER,TYPEROOM.CA
v8.1 2014 15
TECHNOFILE
INDUSTRIAL ARTartist david yowney(IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’78)hasreturnedtohisroots,takinginspiration–ratherthanthepaychequeheoncedidatanaturalgasprocessingplant–fromAlberta’senergyindustry.Selectionsfromhisrecentcollectionofacrylicpaintings,rangingfromdepictionsofbrightlycolouredoilbarrelstoconceptualpiecesrepresentingourrelationshipwiththeprovince’slargestindustry,willbeexhibitedatLacLaBiche’sStuartMacPhersonPublicLibraryinNovember.
“Iwanttochallengetheviewer’sperceptionoftheCanadian-Albertanindustrialexperience,”YowneywritesinthestatementaccompanyinghisexhibitionCanadian Oil and Us.“ThesepicturesareabouthowwemustmanagetherealityofCanadianindustrialization
throughcooperationandcommunication.”Hebelievesinthepossibilityofabalance
betweenenvironmentalstewardshipandeconomicdevelopment,thanksinparttoanupcominggenerationshowingincreasedinterestincontributingitstalentsandskills.Thiswork,partofacareer’sworthofartthathasbeenpartofmorethan30exhibitionsacrossAlberta,ismeanttoreflectthat.
“It’sasymbolofthewaysocietyisdevelopingtowardindustry,”hesays.
—Scott Messenger
“ THE TEAM EASILY BROKE A COUPLE THOUSAND HOURS COMPLETING THE PROJECT.”
TRENT SCHNEIDER (DMIT ’13)
Web ExtraVisit techlifemag.ca/feathered-dinosaur.htmto see the video of Frank Hadfield’s unique fossil find.
3D WIREFRAME RENDERING
PREHISTORIC PROJECT
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DEAN OF ALL TRADESmalcolm haines’s educationhasbeenunusuallydiverse.ThenewdeanoftheSchoolofTradesfollowedhisUniversityofAlbertapsychologydegreewithtrainingasasheetmetalworker(classof’94)atNAIT.
“Afterdoingnothingbutbookwork[atuniversity],IfoundthatIneededtogetoutanddosomethingwithmyhands,justtokeepmysanity,”saysHaines,whotookonthepermanentroleofdeaninAprilafter10monthsasactingdeanandearlierstintsasaninstructorandassociatechair.
Hainesleadsmorethan350facultyandstaff.Theirbiggestchallengewillbemanaginggrowth,hesays.“Weneedtokeeppacewiththeexpectationsofgovernmentandindustryasfarassupplyingenoughskilledworkers.”Thisyear,theschoolexpectstomatchthe2008all-timehighnumberofapprenticestrained—morethan14,100—apeakitwilllikelysurpassnextyear.
—Marta Gold
BUILDING LEADERSthis january, naitlaunchesAlberta’sfirstBachelorofTechnologyinConstructionManagementprogram.Studentswitharelatedtwo-yeardiplomacanearnadegreewithanadditionaltwoyearsofstudy.Initially,courseswillbeofferedeveningsandweekends,withafull-timeoptiontobeintroduced.Thedegreewascreatedinresponsetoindustrydemandforleadersintheheavyindustrial,commercial,engineeringandconstructionindustries.
— F.L.
frank hadfield hasapassionforbringingtheancientpasttolife.AsownerofDrumheller-basedDinosaurValleyStudios,acompanythatfabricatesmuseumexhibits,Hadfieldisanexperienceddinosaurhunter.
Butevenhecouldn’tbelievehisluckwhenheuncoveredtheWesternHemisphere’sfirstfeathereddinosaur.
Hadfieldwaswalkingonanancientriverbednearhishomein2007whenarockformationcaughthiseye.Ashegotcloser,Hadfieldsawsmallclawsthatappearedtobeconnectedtootherbones,suggestingtheremaybeafossilizedskeletonjustbelowthesurface.“IttookmeafewminutestoreallydigestwhatIwasseeing,”saysHadfield.
Recently,DigitalMediaandIT(DMIT)studentshelpedhimsharewhathesaw:theskeletonofajuvenileOrnithomimus edmontonicus,orostrichdinosaur,aboutthesizeofalargeturkey,withitsfeathersmiraculouslypreserved.Theybroughtittolifeinafive-minutevideocalledtheFirst Feathered Dinosaurs of the Western World.
Thevideo–whichairedonDiscoveryChannel’sDaily PlanetlastApril–includes3Danimationofthejuveniledinosaurandasecondadultspecimen(aboutthesizeofafull-grownostrich)hefoundayearlaterinthesamearea.ThedinosaurslivedintheprehistoricswampsofAlberta73millionyearsago.
MichaelJorgensen,thedigitalcinemainstructorwhoknewHadfieldandwasfamiliarwithhisfind,broughttheprojecttoNAIT.
“Theideawasthatthiswasn’tjustgoingtobejustaclassproject,”saysJorgensen,astoryconsultantforDaily Planet.“Thiswasgoingtobebroadcastandseenbypotentiallymillionsofpeople.”
Thedocumentary’sanimator,Kristin Jacobs(DMIT’13)waschallengedwiththepainstakingprocessofmakingthedinosaursasrealisticaspossible.“OneoftheproblemsIcameacrossisthattheOrnithomimusisnotliketheT-Rex,”Jacobssays.“There’snotalotofreferencematerialoutthere.”
Shelookedatbonemeasurements,studiedthemovementofostrichesandwentsofarastophotographrealostrichfeatherstouseintheanimation.
Trent Schneider(DMIT’13),thedocumentary’sdirector,writerandeditor,andnowdigitalmediacoordinatorfortheEdmontonEskimos,estimatesateamofaboutadozenstudents“easilybrokeacouplethousandhours”completingtheproject.
Hadfieldusesthevideotopromotehiswork.Itcontinuestoremindhimofthesignificanceofhisdiscovery.
“Itreallybroughthometomethatthesewerenotjustsomethingpreservedinrock,”hesays.“Thesewereliving,breathingcreatures.”
—Frank Landry
ESSENTIAL EXPANSIONseven programsessentialtoAlberta’seconomywillexpandoverthenextthreeyears.GrowthinChemicalEngineeringTechnology,CivilEngineeringTechnology,ConstructionEngineeringTechnology,ElectricalEngineeringTechnology,InstrumentationEngineeringTechnology,PetroleumEngineeringTechnologyandWaterandWastewaterTechnicianwillallowforanadditional390students.Theprogramswerechosenbytheprovincialgovernment,whichfundedtheincreasesbasedonindustryandlabourmarketdemand,andstudentenrolment.
—F.L.
CONSTRUCTION ON TRACKConcretepouringslowedduringaDecembercoldsnap,buttheCentreforAppliedTechnologiesremainsontracktoopenforfall2016.Forthelatestimagesandinformation,visittechlifemag.ca/construction.htm.
v8.1 2014 17
SURGERY IN 3Dimagine being inanoperatingroom,astepawayfromapatientundergoingabdominalsurgery.You’rethenurse,reachingforsurgicalinstruments,waitingforcuestohandthemtothesurgeon.You’recompletelyimmersedinthesituation.
Except,you’renotactuallythere.Itjustfeelsasifyouare.
Instead,you’rewatchinga3Dvideo.ProducedasajointprojectofNAITandtheUniversityofAlberta,thismedicalvideousesvirtualimmersiontohelpstudents,patientsandthepubliclearnaboutsurgeryasrealisticallyaspossible.
“Point-of-viewisareallycutting-edgeeducationalapproachrightnow,”saysinstructorDouglasBerquist,whoconnectedseveralDigitalMediaandInformationTechnology(DMIT)studentswithDr.JonathanWhite,asurgeonat
theRoyalAlexandraHospitalandanassociateprofessorwiththeUofA’sfacultyofmedicineanddentistry.“Itgivesyouthissenseofurgencyandprecision.It’sthebestwaytoteach.”
BerquistandDMITstudentswilleditthehours-longabdominalsurgeryfootageintoseveralshortvideosegments.ThevideoswillbepostedtoYouTubethisfallaspartofWhite’spopularSurgery 101 podcast.Theyhopetocreateaseriesofshort3Dvideos,eachfocusingonadifferentoperation.
ThisprojectbuildsonpreviousworkbyDMITstudentsandWhite.Lastyear,theyproducedafunYouTubeseriescalledMuppet Surgerythatfeaturedtwopuppets–Dr.ScalpelandThumbs–teachingoperating-roombasics.WhenBerquistsuggestedshootingthevideosin3D,Whiteagreedsaying,
“Couldweaddanotherlayerofrealism?”
when dylan readewalkedoutofhisfirstImaxmovie,Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets,attheEdmontonTelusWorldofScience(thentheEdmontonSpaceScienceCentre)in1984,heturnedtohisdate,agirlhe’dmetintheRadioandTelevisionprogram,andsaid,“I’dliketomakeImaxmovies.Wouldn’tthatbegreat?”
Thirtyyearslater,Reade(RadioandTelevision’85)isacameramanandstereographerwhohasworkedon50Imaxfilms.Often,heistheprincipalcameramanonprojects,includingtherecentlyreleasedIsland of the Lemurs: Madagascar–thefirstImax3Dfilmshotalmostentirelywithadigitalcamera.
“Wespentalotoftimeinthejunglechasinglemurs,”Readerecalls.Hewasawayfornearlythreemonthsin2012,working12-to16-hourdays,sevendaysaweek.“Youcanreallygetrundownbytheendofashootbutformeit’sstillalwaysveryexhilaratingbecauseyou’reseeingthingsnooneelseintheworldhashadachancetoexperience.”
LEAVE IT TO LEMURS
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TECHNOFILE
NAIT IN CHINAnait and heilongjiangUniversityofScienceandTechnology(HUST)thisspringcelebrateda10-yearpartnershipthathasgivenChinesestudentsCanadiancredentialsincomputerskillsincludingprogrammingandnetworking.
In2004,NAITbeganofferingaComputerSystemsTechnologydiplomaattheschoolinHarbin,Edmonton’ssistercityinChina.Sincethen,morethan750studentshavegraduatedfromthejointprogramwithaninternationaleducationthatgivesthemanadvantageintheChineselabourmarket.HUSTfacultymembershavealsobenefitedbycomingtoEdmontontotakecoursesandlearnCanadianteachingtechniques.
TherelationshipboostsNAITaswell,buildingitsinternationalreputation,generatingfundsforprogramsinAlbertaandbroadeningtheskillsofinstructorswhomakethetriptoHarbin.“Youopenuptheinstitutetoglobalperspectives,”saysJimHawrylenko,accountmanagerwiththeDepartmentofCorporate,InternationalandContinuingEducation.
Thispastsummer,theschoolsofficiallyextendedtheirrelationship.NAITwillofferitsDigitalMediaandITdiploma(successorofComputerSystemsTechnology)toHUSTstudentsthroughto2020.
—Scott Messenger
POWDER AND POSSIBILITIESprinted metal partsarebecomingarealityattheNAITShellManufacturingCentrewiththecommissioningofthefirst3DmetalprinterinaWesternCanadianpost-secondaryinstitute.PurchasedwithfundingfromWesternEconomicDiversificationCanada,thetechnologyproduceshighlyintricatepartswithminimalwastebyusinglasersandfinelayersofmetalpowder.Already,oilandgasandmedicalcompaniesareinterestedinusingthemachine.“We’retryingtobringnewpossibilitiestoour
localmanufacturers,”saysNeil Wenger(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’79),electronicstechnologistatthecentre.
—S.M.
Automatedcamerasmountedthroughouttheoperatingroomallowviewerstoseethesurgeryfromtheperspectiveofthesurgeon,thenurse,theintern,orfromtheceiling.
BerquistandWhitearenowlookingintothepossibilityofproducingmore3Deducationalvideos.Theirmainconcerniswhetherenoughviewerswillhaveaccesstothe3Dtechnologythatwillgivethemthefullimmersionexperiencealongwithanewperspectiveonwhatgoesonintheoperatingroom.
“Iwanttogetpeopletolookatsurgeryinadifferentway,”Whitesays.“Insteadofitbeingagorything,knowthatthereisastoryhere:Thisiswhythesurgeondecidestodothis,thisishowtheoperationgetsfinished.
“IjustwantpeopletothinksurgeryisascoolasIthinkitis.”
—Linda Hoang
Reade’scareerhasspannedallsevencontinentsandarangeoftechnologies,too.HehasbeenwithImaxthroughoutthedevelopmentofthe3Dformat,includingitstransitionfromfilmtodigital.
“TheentirearcofmycareerhasbeengettinglighterandlightercamerasasIgetolderandolder,”saysReade,whowenttofilmschoolinTorontoafterNAIT.“ThefirstsystemIworkedwithwas1,400pounds.Thedigitalcamerais45pounds.”
Recently,Readehasbeguntakingonotherprojects,includingstartinghisownproductioncompany,theHighLevelMovingPictureCompany,withwhichhewantstoproduce3DfilmsaboutEdmontonanditshistory.Currently,he’sdevelopingatechniquetoconvertarchivalimagesintomoving3Dimages.Hehopestoexhibithisprojectsatmuseums,artgalleriesandtheatres.
ReadesaysNAITopenedthedoortoaninternshipintheindustry.Italsoconnectedhimtohiswife.
Hemarriedthatgirl–Susan(RadioandTelevision’85),nowgeneralsalesmanageratBellMedia–whosawthatfirstImaxmoviewithhim.Theyhavetwodaughtersandrecentlycelebratedtheir25thanniversary.
“I’msoluckythisallworkedoutthewayIwanteditto.”
—Linda Hoang
“ I’M SO LUCKY THIS ALL WORKED OUT THE WAY I WANTED IT TO.”–DYLANREADE(RADIOANDTELEVISION’85)
v8.1 2014 19
www.nexencnoocltd.com
HELPING TO BUILD THE FUTUREPlanning for the future is important for an oil and gas company to succeed, and that doesn’t only mean looking for the next big discovery. At Nexen, ensuring there are enough qualified people to do the work is just as important and that’s why we’re proud to support post-secondary education in Alberta.
We give back to communities where we operate by investing in programs and projects that enrich the quality of life for those in the community and support educational enhancement.
Nexen is a proud partner of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, donating over $1 million to the development of state-of-the-art facilities, awards and bursaries.
www.nexencnoocltd.com
HELPING TO BUILD THE FUTUREPlanning for the future is important for an oil and gas company to succeed, and that doesn’t only mean looking for the next big discovery. At Nexen, ensuring there are enough qualified people to do the work is just as important and that’s why we’re proud to support post-secondary education in Alberta.
We give back to communities where we operate by investing in programs and projects that enrich the quality of life for those in the community and support educational enhancement.
Nexen is a proud partner of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, donating over $1 million to the development of state-of-the-art facilities, awards and bursaries.
3 QUESTIONS
JEREMY WALTER (ArchitecturalTechnology’03)Founder and Principal DesignerBoss Design
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE HOUSING INDUSTRY SINCE THE DOWNTURN? Theclientislookingforimprovedqualityanduniqueideastobeincorporatedintotheirhome.Duringtheheightoftheboomitwasbasicallyslamthingsoutasfastasyoucould,fromthebuildingperspective.
WHAT’S HOT IN TERMS OF DESIGN TRENDS?Therearetwo.Thefirstis“prairie”style,basedonanarchitecturalstylecreatedbyFrankLloydWright.That’sdefinedbyverycleanlines,averysquare,linearlook,reallylowslopeontheroof,wideoverhangsandusesofmaterialsinapanelized[way].Thesecondstylethat’sverypopularisthemodernstyle.[That’s]ablendofflatroofsandmaterialsthat[areused]incommercialapplications.Youseealotofsteel,woodpanelling,metalsiding,lotsofstuccoandbigexpansesofcommercialglass,floortoceiling.
IF YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY FAMOUS HOME WHICH WOULD IT BE?Fallingwater.ItwasdesignedbyWright[inPennsylvaniain1935].It’scantileveredoverasmallstreamandwaterfall.Hewasdoingthingsthatnooneelseknewhowtodo.Myfavouritethingistotakeoneofhisstylesandrepresentittothebestofourabilitywhilealsoincorporatingnewtechnologies,newmaterialsandnewthinking.
KLINT LANGSTAFF (ArchitecturalTechnology’99)Owner/OperatorLang Built Homes
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY SINCE THE DOWNTURN? Thestructuringofsubdivisionsisalotmoremixeddensity.Alotofthecommunitiesbeingbuiltgofromrowhousingtoapartmentbuildingstosingledetached.Thedevelopersandcommunityhaveacceptedthis.Thisisthewaytopreventurbansprawlandmakepricesalittlemoreattractivetotheentrymarket.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR YOU AS AN OPERATOR?It’sgoingtobegettinglabourandcompetitivepricing.Withthelabourshortagewe’reexperiencing,pricesjustcontinuetogoup.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB?Meetingwithclients,comingupwithadesignthatworksforthemandhavingaprojectcompleteandlandscaped–seeingthearchitecturecometogetherandseeingahappyclient.
TREVOR HOOVER (ArchitecturalTechnology’89)President, Senior DesignerHabitat Studio
WHAT DEFINES VALUE IN A NEW HOME THESE DAYS? Forus,thephilosophyisthatdesignisyourmajorvalue.Themajorityofpeople…pickabuilder,afloorplan,anelevation,carpetcolourand,boom,they’redone.Butifyoutalktothosepeople,therewillalwaysbesomethingwrongwiththathouse.Sometimestheycan’texplainit,sometimestheycan:“Oh,wedon’tevenuseourformaldiningroombutitwastheresowelivewithit.”Wemakenocompromises,soeachhousefitsthatclient100percent.
IS THERE A DESIGN ELEMENT YOU DON’T MISS? Thediningroom.Whydoyouneedaformaldiningroom?Myin-lawshave[one].I’veknownthemfor25yearsandI’venevereateninthatdiningroom.It’sapooruseofspace.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY?Rightnowitlooksverypositive.Mytheoryisthatitwilldependonwhathappenswiththeoilindustry.IfwegetthepipelineovertoB.C.andthepipelinedowntoTexas,thatwillchangeourprovincedramatically–wewillbebusy.Whenyou’rehavingtobuildthoseprojectsandproduceenoughoiltogodownthosepipelinesyouneedpeopleandpeoplemeansfamilies,familiesmeanschools,meanssubdivisions,meanshomes.web extra
Visittechlifemag.ca/homebuilders.htmformoreinsightfromourindustryexperts.
judging by howithasralliedsincetheeconomicdownturn,thissummerreachingitshighestlevelofstartsinnearlysevenyears(accordingtoRBC),homebuildingmaybeamongAlberta’smostadaptiveindustries.Withprovincialfortunessocloselyalignedtoavolatilecommoditylikeoil,whatchoicedodesignersandbuildershave?Economicebbandflowisn’ttheonlychallenge:styletrendsfluctuateasmuchasoilprices.Hereweaskthreeexpertsaboutthepast,presentandfutureofAlbertahomesandthebusinessofmakingthem.
— Scott Messenger
HOMING SENSE
JEREMY WALTER
KLINT LANGSTAFF
TREVOR HOOVER
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ASK AN EXPERT
Hardeep Gill makes sense of the ABCs of retirement savings.
few of us can affordtobecomplacentwhenitcomestopreparingforretirement.We’relivinglongerandmanyofuswon’thaveanemployerpensionthatguaranteesasetretirementincome.
AccordingtoStatisticsCanada,38.4percentofemployeeshadaregisteredpensionplanin2011.Thatmeansit’svitalweplancarefully,whichrequiresunderstandingthedifferentsavingstoolsavailabletous,saysHardeepGill,certifiedfinancialplannerandfinanceinstructor.
“Peopleneedtositdownandthinkoftheirgoals.Ithinkeverythingispredicatedonthat,”saysGill,whoaddsthateventhosewithaguaranteedworkplacepensionmayneedtosaveextramoney.
Gillrecommendsallocating10to15percentofwhatyoumaketowardsyourretirementgoals.Tohelp,therearetwomaininvestmentvehicles:registeredretirementsavingsplans(RRSP)andtax-freesavingsaccounts(TFSA).Statisticsshowthatnotallwhoareeligibleareusingthesetools.Only24percentoftaxfilerscontributedtoanRRSPin2012,accordingtoStatisticsCanada.ThefederalDepartmentofFinancereportedthatin2011morethan30percentofadulttaxfilershadaTFSA.
“TFSAshavekindofmadethingscomplicatedforpeople,”saysGill.Somepeoplemaynotrealizethat,likeRRSPs,theyareacontainerforadiverserangeofinvestmentoptions,heexplains.
Tohelppeoplebetterunderstandtheiroptions,we’veadaptedachartfromPersonal Finance,atextbookbyGillandJeffMadura,thatcomparesthetwosavingstools.
— Shelly Decker
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WHO’S ELIGIBLE
PRIMARY PURPOSE
ANNUAL
CONTRIBUTION LIMIT
UNUSED CONTRIBUTIONS
CARRY FORWARD
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
CONTRIBUTIONS
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS
TAXABLE WITHDRAWALS
WITHDRAWN AMOUNTS
CAN BE RE-CONTRIBUTED
PLAN LIFESPAN
Canadian citizens aged 71 or younger who earn money
Retirement income
18 per cent of earned income up to a maximum of $24,270 in 2014. If you participate in an employer-sponsored pension plan, your contribution amount will be adjusted.
Yes, if you didn’t maximize your contributions between 1991 and 2013, you can carry the unused amount forward to 2014.
Yes, the initial investment is tax deductible.
Yes
Yes, it’s considered regular income so you will be subject to income tax.
No, unless part of Home Buyers Plan (HBP) or Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP.) HBP is a tax-free withdrawal option for Canadians wanting to purchase their first home. Money must be repaid within 15 years. LLP is available to full-time students who use RRSP money towards their education. Funds must be paid back within 10 years.
Plan must be transferred to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) or cashed in by the end of the year you turn 71. Cashing in may mean significant tax consequences. RRIF holds the same investments as an RRSP but a certain percentage must be withdrawn each year.
Canadian residents aged 18 or older
Short and long-term savings
$5,500 in 2014
Yes, contribution room accumulates each year even if you do not file an income tax return or open an account.
No, you cannot deduct this investment on your tax return.
Yes
No, it’s not considered earned income. You do not have to pay taxes on the initial investment or earnings.
Yes but not until the following year, when the amount is added to the annual available investment room. Don’t risk over-contributing and being penalized.
Account does not terminate
QUALIFIED INVESTMENTS
RRSPsandTFSAsarecontainerstoholdinvestmentsincludingcash,GICs,stocks,bonds,mutualandindexfunds,mortgages,investment-gradebullion,coinsandmore.Diversifyingyourinvestmentsisrecommended.“Diversificationmeansspreadingoutyourmoneygeographicallyandacrossassetcategories,”saysGill.
v8.1 2014 23
in those frantic momentsbeforeanambulancearrives,peopleoftenadministerfirstaidtoaninjuredorillperson.Dotheyreallyknowwhattodo?
Only18percentofCanadianspolledin2012saidtheyhadcurrentfirstaidcertification.
“It’ssoimportantthateveryonehavefirstaidtraining.It’salifeskill,”saysLisaKutzner,coordinatorofNAIT’spre-hospitalcareprogram,whichrecentlybeganofferingfirstaidcoursestothepublic.“Itprovidesalevelofconfidence.Youdon’thavetobeperfectatit.Youdon’twanttobescaredsothatyoudon’tdoit.Youusetheresourcesaroundyoutodothebestyoucan.”
Whileit’sbesttotakeafirstaidcourse,hereKutznercorrectsseveralcommonfirstaidmistakes.
— Shelly Decker
RIGHT THE FIRST TIMEHow to avoid common first aid mistakes. DON'T USE A TOURNIQUET TO STEM
HEAVY BLEEDING.
WHY NOT?That’salastresort.Completelystoppingbloodflowmaycausepermanentdamagetotheinjuredlimb.Correction:Usegauzeandapplypressuredirectlyonornearthewound(don’tpressonanembeddedobject).“Peoplewon’tdiefrommanualpressure,”saysKutzner.“Theydieofableed.”Don’tremoveadressingsoakedinblood–addfreshdressingsontopandapplymorepressure.Oncethebleedinglessens,placeabandageoverexistingdressingsandsecure.Ifit’ssafe,theinjuredpartshouldbeelevatedabovetheheart.
DON'T MOVE PATIENT TO A MORE COMFORTABLE PLACE.
WHY NOT? Movingsomeonewithapossiblespinalinjurycouldleadtoparalysisordeath.Notallbackorneckinjuriesareobvious.Correction:Generally,it’sbestnottomoveapatientuntilemergencyrespondersarrive,saysKutzner.Dosoonlyiftheareaisnotsafe,inaccessibletoemergencyrespondersorifCPRisnecessary.“ApersonneedstobemovedtoahardflatsurfaceforCPR,”saysKutzner.
DON'T PUT AN AMPUTATED FINGER OR TOE DIRECTLY ON ICE.
WHY NOT?Icecanfreezeanddamagethetissue.Correction: Afteryouhavecontrolledthebleeding,theamputatedbodypartshouldbe“wrappedinmoistgauze,placedinanairtightplasticbagandthebagshouldbeplacedonanicepack,”saysKutzner.
HOW TO
24 techlifemag.ca
DON'T PULL OUT AN EMBEDDED OBJECT.
WHY NOT?Youdon’tknowthedepthofpenetrationorextentofinternaldamage.Removingtheobjectcouldcausefurtherinjuryorseverebleeding.Correction:"Theimpaledobjectshouldbestabilizedinthepositionit’sfound,”saysKutzner.Forexample,ifascrewdriverisstuckinaleg,tapearollofgauzeoneithersideofthescrewdriver.Ifapencilisstuckinaneye,punctureaholeinthebottomofapapercup,slideitoverthepencilandtapethecupinplace.Coverbotheyestominimizemovement.
DON'T VIGOROUSLY RUB OR USE HIGH HEAT TO THAW AN EXTREMITY, SUCH AS A HAND, WHEN FROSTBITE IS SUSPECTED.
WHY NOT?Rubbingcanincreasetissuedamage.Avoidusinghighheatbecausetheaffectedareamaybenumbandthepersonmaynotfeeltheareabeingburned.Correction:Removethepersonfromthecold.Cuphandsaroundareaandgentlybreatheonitortuckaffectedareaintoawarmpartofthebody,suchasunderthearm.Iftheaffectedareahurts,seekmedicaltreatment.
Flashlight: forworkinginthedarkorpoorlighting.Includeextrabatteries
Cold pack:forinflammationorswelling
Bottle of water: forcleaningawoundorhydration
Sterile gauze pads:tostopbleeding.Packextra
Gloves and safety glasses:“It’salwaysyoursafetyfirst,”saysKutzner.
First-aid kit essentials
Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends replenishing your first aid kit at least four times a year. Here are a few items to add to your mobile kit:
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INNOVATE
SPARKS WILL FLYKyle Walton has forged a thriving business from the ancient craft of blacksmithing.
STORY BY MARTA GOLD
PHOTOS BY BLAISE VAN MALSEN v8.1 2014 27
INNOVATE
When most of us think of metalwethinkpermanent,solid,structural.
NotKyle Walton(Pre-technology’03).Hethinkspliable,creative,textural.
ThefounderofHammerandForge,Waltonisamodern-dayblacksmithandacreativeentrepreneurwhohaselevatedaonce-utilitariancrafttoanartform,producingbeautiful,architecturalgates,stairrailings,trellisesandmoreforadiscerningclientele.
Whatstartedeightyearsagoasasmallbusinesssellinghousenumbers,hooksandgardenaccessoriesattheSt.AlbertFarmersMarkethasgrownintoanoperationthatwillsoonhavethreeovensandthreestaffinadditiontoWaltonathisshopinnorthwestEdmonton.Hehasenoughworktoallowhimtorefusejobsthatdon’tfithisinterests.“Ifitisn’tarchitecturalordesign-minded,weturnitawaynow,”hesays.
Walton,35,hasalwayshadafascinationwithweldinganddesign.Heboughthisfirstwelderrightafterhighschool,dabbledinmetalfabricationandrenovations,thendidthreeyearsofanartsdegree.Butitwasn’tuntilhestartedtheNAITArchitecturalTechnologyprogramin2002thathisinterestsindesignandbuildingcametogether.
Hetriedworkinginanarchitecturefirmforacoupleyearsbuttheofficeenvironmentwasn’tforhim.Then,in2006,hetookaweekendcoursewithShawnCunningham,whonowteachesblacksmithingatNAIT.
“Itwaslikealightbulbgoingon,”Waltonsaysofhisdiscoveryofforging.HeaskedCunninghamtobuildhimanoven,thenboughtananvilandstartedpracticingonhisown.
“Iknewthiswasit,”hesays.“It’saloveofiron,forsure:aloveoftexturesandloveof
manipulatingthingsthatseemsopermanentintothisplasticstatewhereyoucanjustcreate,”hesays.“It’ssoversatile.”
Railingdetailsbecomebladesofgrassthatappeartobeblowinginthewind;twistingsteelvinesaretoppedwithdelicatemetalflowerstoformastunninggardentrellisinanotherrecentproject.
Thegrowthofhisbusinesshasbeenlargelyword-of-mouth,andincludeshisfarmersmarketclienteleaswellasasmallcustomhomebuilderforwhomWaltondesignsandmakesinteriorstaircases.
“It’sbestdescribedasamodeloforganicorreactivegrowth,”hesays.
Usingpowerhammershasincreasedhisspeedandefficiencyandkeptcostsincheck,hesays.Butthedelicatedetailthathasbecomehistrademark–andthatmakeseachpieceunique–isstillatime-consumingcraftdoneonlywithhammerandanvil.
Agatewithafewsimpledetailsstartsatabout$1,500.Anelaboratestaircaseofglass,woodandironcanruntensofthousandsofdollars.“Whenyou’regoingtospend$30,000or$40,000onasetofstairsandrailings,itshouldbethenicestthinginthehouse,”Waltonsays.
Hestillsellssmall,affordableitemsatthefarmersmarket.Manycustomersstartwiththeseand,astheygettoknowhim,hirehimtodesignsomethingmoreintricate,hesays.
Inthefuture,he’dlikeexploreabstractsculpture.Inthemeantime,hereareafewofhisfavouritecreations.
Kyle Walton at his northwest Edmonton
blacksmith shop
INNOVATE
28 techlifemag.ca
5 Awoodenbridgeandstairsaresupportedbyforgedsteeltexturedandknottedtoresemblebundlesofsticks.
4 ThisforgedirontrellisdecoratesthebrickentryoftheRosenthaldevelopmentinEdmonton’swestend.
3 Thebacksideofthisgardengateshowsacopperturtleswimminginaseaofironwavespowdercoatedtolooklikecopperpatina.
2 Adecorativesunfloweradornstheexteriormantleofanindoor-outdoorfireplace.
1 Asecond-floordeckrailingusesforgedirontoreplicatebladesofgrassblowinginthewind.
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v8.1 2014 29
THANK YOU TOURNAMENT SPONSORS! Your support is essential to the academic and athletic excellence of NAIT’s student athletes.
A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS | 780.471.6248 | nait.ca
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SORRENTINO’S RESTAURANT GROUP | SUPREME GROUP | SYSCO EDMONTON
nait golf tournament sponsored by
corporate and international trainingcontinuing education
THANK YOU TOURNAMENT SPONSORS! Your support is essential to the academic and athletic excellence of NAIT’s student athletes.
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corporate and international trainingcontinuing education
BR I N G O N T H ESTORY BY MIFI PURVIS
PHOTOS BY BLAISE VAN MALSEN
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RORY LEE
MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCEHOW THREE ALUMNI ARE USHERING IN A NEW ECONOMIC ERA
BY MAKING IT IN ALBERTA.
v8.1 2014 31
INNOVATE
iNNOVATE
A SANDBOX FOR INDUSTRYSince it opened in 2006, the NAIT Shell Manufacturing Centre has improved Alberta’s business processes. “It’s been a theme in our cyclic economy that during a boom it might not matter how efficiently a company works because of high customer demand,” says operations manager Mave Dhariwal. “But once there’s a downturn they face stiff global competition and can’t compete.”
He aims to counter that theme. He and his team train more than 500 employees from 50 to 60 companies each month. The centre provides 13 customizable certificate programs in productivity enhancement services, as well as streams including project management, quality management, lean manufacturing and more.
The centre also offers manufacturing solutions. “It’s basically a sandbox for industry,” Dhariwal says. Using the facilities and equipment that are kept current by an evergreen fund, industry reps conduct applied research in rapid prototyping, robotics and automation, software solutions and more. Students get involved as well, using the centre to collaborate with industry on capstone projects.
Dhariwal says that industry partners and the federal and provincial governments helped with the centre’s startup funds. “Now the centre is 100-per-cent self-funded for its operational costs, including salaries and maintenance,” he says. “It’s important because we must lead by example.”
“OUR WORKFORCE IS VERY SKILLED AND HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE”–JOHNROSE CHIEFECONOMIST CITYOFEDMONTON
When he deliveredastateoftheeconomytalkatNAITinFebruary,CityofEdmontonchiefeconomistJohnRosetoldmembersof
thepolytechnic’sprogramadvisorycommitteesthatAlbertais“undergoingamanufacturingrenaissance.”WiththehighcostofmaintainingaworkforceandoutfittingashopinEdmonton,hisclaimmightsurprisesomepeoplebutprobablynothisaudiencethatday.NAITalumniareleadersinmanufacturingandthetrendgoesbeyondtheoilandgasindustry.ItturnsoutthatAlbertans,Edmontoniansinparticular,aremakingmorestuffthanever.
ThestatsbolsterRose’sassertion.ManufacturingaccountedforEdmonton’ssecond-largestemploymentgainsbysectorin2012-13.Andmanufacturingandbusinessservicesaccountfor18percentoftheprovincialGDP,upfrom12percenttwodecadesago.Rosesaysmuchofthismanufacturingisgearedtoenergybutit’snottheonlygameintown.Infact,StatisticsCanadafoundlastyearthat36percentofAlberta’s10,000manufacturerswerenotengagedinenergy-sectormanufacturing.
Rosesaysthatlocalmanufacturingcanmeanahigherper-unitcostcomparedtoimportingmass-producedgoodsfromoverseas.Butitoffersamorepredictablesupplyandeasieraccesstolocalinstallation,maintenanceandsupport,decreasingwaittimesanddowntime.Initialsavingsrealizedbyimportingdiminishquicklyand,thoughAlberta’slabourcostsarehigh,Rosesays,“ourworkforceisveryskilledandhighlyproductive.”
ProductivityAlberta’sCEOLoriSchmidtagrees.“Labourproductivitymetricshaveimproved,”shesays.Schmidthasavestedinterestinkeepingthemanufacturingmixdiverse:herorganizationhelpstheprovince’sconstructionandmanufacturingbusinessesbecomemoreproductiveandcompetitive.
“NAIThasaroletoplaytobringleading-edgebestpracticestomanufacturers,toencouragethehands-onmethod,”sheadds.
HerearethreeNAITalumniemployingthatmethodintheEdmontonarea,inwhatisturningouttobeaneraofmanufacturingrenewalinthecapital.
32 techlifemag.ca
SOUND PLANSat adsum audio’s SherwoodParkmanufacturingfacility,
“assemblyiseveryone’sjob,”sayscompanyPresidentandCEOJames Osualdini(above).Evenhislawyerknowshowtoputtogetherhisproducts:hand-craftedhigh-qualityspeakersforthehomemarket.Whilethelawyerrarelyrollsuphissleeves,it’simportanttoOsualdinithathehasagoodunderstandingoftheproduct.“Everyonegetstoseethequalityofcomponents,fitandfinish,”hesays.Adsum,withjustsixemployees,competeswithmass-producedsoundsystems,“byofferinginnovativeandbest-in-classproducts,”Osualdinisays.
Osualdini(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’11)knewhecouldimproveoncommonlow-qualityiPodspeakerswithoutcreatingmassive,marriage-wrecking,audiophileones.Hissignatureproduct,theDetonator,isasmart-lookingcubeofhighlypolishedwood,toppedbyapaintedwoodenorcarbon-fibre-wrappedtube,
givingitthelookofanold-timeexplosivedevice.Nobiggerthanasmallstackofpaperbacks,itlooksmoreobjetd’artthanspeaker,“butit’sasound-firstproduct,”Osualdinisays.
HisAlbertabaseoffersOsualdiniaccesstoskilledstaffbuthesourceshispartsfromallovertheworld.
“Wearen’tbiasedastowherepartscomefrombutweexpectthebest,”hesays.Findingthatlevelofqualitycanbeachallenge,andhiswishlistincludesmorelocalsuppliers.He’sworkingonexpandingsalesoutsideCanada,hopingthatincreasedvolumewillencouragealocalsupplychain.“Itwouldhelpusbyreducingthecostofshippingpartsandpayingduties,”hesays.“Also,itwouldhelpusmakechangesquicker,atreducedcost.”Inthebiggerpicture,alocalsupplychainandalocalmanufacturercouldhelpcreateabuddingindustry–aswellasagreatlisteningexperience.
v8.1 2014 33
INNOVATE
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEmccoy globalhas had a presenceinEdmontonsinceblacksmithHenryMcCoyopenedhisshopin1914.Nowitmakesandmarketsproductsandservicesfortheworld’soilandgasindustry.In2013,McCoyboastedrevenuesinexcessof$110million,anincreaseofeightpercentoverthepreviousyear,throughitslineoflocallybuiltoilfieldtoolsandequipment.
Butit’snotalldownholestuff.In2013,McCoysoldthe1,000thunitofitsWINCATTsoftwaresystem,whichhaditsgenesisin1994withcustomers’requeststomoreeasilymonitoraspectsofdrillingandgathermoreaccuratedatausingaWindows-basedplatform.
“Skilledlabourisinhighdemandbutthisisagoodplacetobeamanufacturer,”sayspresidentandCEOJim Rakievich(below,HeavyDutyMechanic’82).
“We’vefiguredouthowtobegloballycompetitive.”Thathasmeantadoptingleanmanufacturingpracticestocutwaste,becomemoreefficientandaddvalueforthecustomer.Productivityimprovementisoneofthebroaderchangesthathehasseeninlocalmanufacturing,alongwithimprovedoutsourcing,automationandsupplychainmanagement.
RakievichsaysmanufacturinggainsstartinschoolslikeNAIT.“Studentsarelearningtobringproductivityimprovementtotheirroles,”hesays,addingthatcompanieslikehisaretheultimatebeneficiaries.Infact,agroupofBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentscompletedtheircapstoneprojectin2012byredevelopingamanufacturingspaceforMcCoy,loweringcostsandincreasingproductivity.
“WE’VE FIGURED OUT HOW TO BE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.”
– JIMRAKIEVICH PRESIDENTANDCEO MCCOYGLOBAL
34 techlifemag.ca
“IT WAS LIKE A BULLET IN THE STOMACH. SO WE WENT TO PLAN B.”–ROBERTOSGAMBARO DIRECTOR SGAMBARO’SSIGNATURE SEAFOODS
HOLY SMOKESroberto sgambaro(above,CommercialCooking’86)isoneofroughly1,000professionalsinCanadawiththechefdecuisinedesignation.That’snotable,butwhatsetshimapartisthathe’sdirectorofSgambaro’sSignatureSeafoods,anEdmontonmanufacturingfacilityproducinglox–freshsmokedsalmon–morethan1,000kilometresfromthenearestcoastline.
HelearnedcookingathomeinEdmontonfromhismom,whohadhisdad’sfreshgardeningredientstoworkwith.AfterhegraduatedfromNAIThelandedajobattheEdmontonConventionCentreunderchefReudiBlattler.Eagerforresponsibilityandcreativecontrol,SgambaroaskedBlattleroneday,“WhatdoIdotowindupinyourshoes?”Blattleradvisedhimtogetred-sealcertifiedandtravel,soSgambarobeefeduphiscredentialsanddividedthenextsevenyearsbetweenToronto,MontrealandParis.
“IlearnedhowtomakesmokedsalmoninMontrealattheHotelVogue,”Sgambarosays.Butheknewhecouldimproveit,sohedidsomeR&DathisnextjobattheIntercontinentalHotel,tweakinghistechniqueuntilitwasperfect.
SgambaroreturnedtoEdmontonin1996tobeclosertofamilyandenjoyabetterstandardofliving.Hewasusedtoworkingdemandinghours,soontopofhisdayjobhestartedacateringbusinessontheside:finediningforsmallgroups.OneclientwantedsomesmokedsalmonandSgambaroofferedtohome-smokeit.“Ibuiltalittlesmoker,”hesays.Itcouldcopewithninesidesofsalmonatatime,buthighdemandquickly
meantanupgrade.Soonhewasprocessing15sides,then56,then88,then300.
Sgambaro’ssalesclimbedandhedecidedtotakehisbusinesstothenextstep.HeworkedwithTECEdmontononabusinessplantoenterintotheVenturePrizecompetition,whichhewonin2005.Alongwiththeglorycame$100,000incashandin-kinddevelopmentservices.Sgambarowantedtobuildalarger,federallyinspectedfacilitysuitedtoexports.Heboughtland,createddesignsforthefacilitythenbulkeduphisbusinessplanandtookittothebank,whichrefusedhisloanapplication,callingittoobigastep.
“Itwaslikeabulletinthestomach,”hesays.“SowewenttoPlanB.”
PlanBmeantupgradinghisequipmentandmoremodestexpansionintoaleasedspaceinnortheastEdmonton,whereheemploysfivepeopleparttime,plusademopersonandadeliverydriver.Saleshavetripledtoabout1,000kilogramsofsmokedsalmonpermonth,andhisonlinebusinessisgrowing.Healsosellspâté,mustards,finevinegar,salmonsausageandfreshsalmon.
ForSgambaro,Edmontonremainsagoodplacetobeamanufacturer.Inadditiontoastronglocalcustomerbase,therearegovernmentprogramsandgrantsavailabletotheAlbertaagricultureindustryand–whilehedoesn’tgrowfish–hisstatusasafoodprocessormakeshimeligible.Sgambaro’sconfidentthathe’sworkinghiswaytothefacilitythatwillallowhimtobecomeanexporter.Whenthatdaycomes,hepromisestosavesomeproductforthehometowncrowd.
v8.1 2014 35
Solutions for Human Progress.
® The DOW Diamond Logo is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company © 2014
Dow Canada – offering local employment with global opportunities.
At Dow, we provide challenges that exercise your imagination and help you deliver solutions to improve the lives of people around the corner and across the world.
We invite you to bring your passion, your skills and your creativity and come write your own success story with Dow. Learn more about our
Solutions at Dow.
visitwww.careersatdow.com
184,000 STRONG what’s an ook for life?Ifyou’reaNAITgrad,it’syouandroughly184,000others.Whileyouallshareaconnectiontothatsnowyowlmascot,asagroupyou’reasdiverseastheprogrammingatyouralmamater.
Lastfall,wereachedoutwithasurveytogettoknowyoubetterandgaugethestrengthofyourconnectiontoNAIT–whetherthat’sawarenessofourcurrentimpact,involvementwithinstituteactivities,ordirectsupport.Itturnsoutthatbirdsofafeatherreallydosticktogether.
Thesurveyshowedyou’remoreengagedwithusthantheaveragegraduateofCanadianpost-secondaryinstitutes.
“Peoplehaveprideintheinstituteandtheyhadanexcellentacademicexperience,”saysMikeMeldrum,associatevice-presidentofAdvancement,wholooksforwardtoseeingthatpridegrowincomingyears.“TheirtimeatNAITgotthemajobandoftenstartedtheircareers.”
HereareafewthingswelearnedaboutourlifetimeOoks.
—Scott Messenger
CREDENTIALS
LOCATION
AGE (IN RELATION TO GRADUATION YEAR)
2004-2013
18-24years 25-29years 30-39years 40-49years 50-60years 60+years
HOW THE SURVEY WAS TAKEN
DESKTOP TABLET MOBILE
Certificate 17%
Apprenticeship 11%
Degree (firstoffered2007) 4%
Applied Degree (firstoffered1996) 3%
TOP 5 PROGRAM AREAS
5% Students
6% Retired/working part-time
4% Other
Other: 1% stay-at-home caregivers, 3% not working but looking
%7%22
%71
WORK STATUS
WORKING
%85MALE:FEMALE (IN RELATION TO AGE)
18-24yearsold
25-29yearsold
30-39yearsold
40-49yearsold
50-60yearsold
60+yearsold
MALE FEMALE
51%49%
86%14%
70%30%
65%35%
63%37%
51%49%
1994-2003
1984-1993-
1974-1983
1973andbefore
DIPLOMA
%73
19% elsewhereinCanada
BuildingConstruction&Design
Health&Safety
IT&Electronics
Apprentice/Trade
Business/Administrative
3% outsideCanada
19% <10km
46% 10-50km
6% 51-100km
6% 101-250km
EDMONTON
PEOPLE
Solutions for Human Progress.
® The DOW Diamond Logo is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company © 2014
Dow Canada – offering local employment with global opportunities.
At Dow, we provide challenges that exercise your imagination and help you deliver solutions to improve the lives of people around the corner and across the world.
We invite you to bring your passion, your skills and your creativity and come write your own success story with Dow. Learn more about our
Solutions at Dow.
visitwww.careersatdow.com
v8.1 2014 37
38 techlifemag.ca
PEOPLE • COVER STORY
38 techlifemag.ca
A heavy duty mechanic spent 11 months in Antarctica and lived to tell the tale.
STORY AND PHOTOS (TAKEN AND SUPPLIED) BY SPENCER SMIRL (HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN ’07)
Spencer Smirl at
the EDGE of the WORLD
v8.1 2014 39 v8.1 2014 39
40 techlifemag.ca
1 Start Point
2 actual end Point
3 South Pole
4 Planned End Point
land
Ice shelf
—— Planned Route
—— actual Journey
80°S
70°S
0°
180°
90°W 90°E
2
4
3
1
PEOPLE
Our attempt to crossAntarcticawastobethefirstinpolarwinter.Ourroutewasalmost4,100kilometresandrosemorethan3,100metresabovesealevel.Temperaturescouldreach
-90C,withwindchillsof-150C,morethancoldenoughtoicetheliferightoutofus.Thisiswhyweneededsteel-trackedvehicles:rubbercannotbeguaranteedbelow-50C.Andthosevehicleswerethereasontheexpeditionneededme.
TheColdestJourney,asitwasnamedbythefamousexplorersSirRanulfFiennesandDr.MikeStroud,whoholdbraggingrightsasthefirstmentocrosstheAntarcticunsupported,beganinJanuary2013.Itwasalsounsupported,haulingsupplieswithoutlocalassistancetoconductscientificresearchandraisemoneyforSeeingisBelieving,acharitythathelpscombatpreventableblindnessintheworld’spoorestcommunities.Ourconvoyincluded190tonsofcargo,muchofitfuel,andtwo25-tonbulldozersprovidedbyCaterpillarandFinningontheconditionthattheircarebeentrustedtotwooftheirowntechnicians.AFinningheavyequipmenttechnicianoriginallyfromPeaceRiver,Iappliedand,afterweeksofcompetitivetraining,waschosenaschiefmechanic,responsibleformaintenanceandoperationofallmechanicaldevicesontheexpedition.
IfyouhadtoldmeanopportunityliketheColdestJourneywouldcometoatradesmanworkinginnorthernAlberta,Iwouldhavedoubtedyoursanity.Evenwitheightyears’experienceasamechanic,Iwasn’tcompletelyconfident–atleastnotenoughtostaredowndeathattheotherendoftheworld.Fiveothermen’sliveswouldrelyonmyabilities.ButIknewchanceslikethisonlycomearoundonceinalifetime,ifthat.
WesetsailfromCapeTown,SouthAfrica,onJan.7,2013ontheicebreakerSAAgulhas.Afterthreeweeksonroughseas,finallyseeingthemassivemonolithoficethatconsumedthehorizonremainsoneofmyfavoriteexperiencesfromtheexpedition.Ihadneverfeltsoalive.Whenweswungdowntheropeladderandtookthosefirststepsontotheice,Ifeltlikeoneofthefirstmenonthemoon.
Afterafewweeksofunloadingandprep,wewereoff.Weclawedacrosstheiceandupthroughthemountains.Aswemovedfurthersouththedaysgotshorter,temperaturesdroppedandthewindpickedup.Theairthinnedaswegainedaltitude,makingithardtofunction–forusandthemachines.AswenearedtheedgeoftheAntarcticPlateau–thecoldestplaceonEarth–thesunsetforthelasttime.Itwouldn’treturnfornearly100days,forcingthetemperaturesevenlower.
Forweekswebattledourwayacrossblueicelakesandcrevassefields.AsyoutravelthroughAntarctica,thelandscapesurroundsandconsumesyou–andresistsyou,too.YouarethesolesourceofhumandisturbanceinanuntouchedpartoftheworldbutMotherEarthsooncompletelyerasesanytraceofyourexistence.It’sapowerfulkindof
beauty.Thecrevasseseventuallyoutgrewthelengthofthebulldozer,stretchingmetresacrossandpossiblyreachingmorethantwoandahalfkilometresdowntosealevel.Fallingintoonewouldmeancertaindeath.
Intheend,navigatingacrossdifficultterraintookitstoll.OnApril17,fourmonthsafterourarrival,wecalledahalttotheexpedition.We’dtravelledlessthan400kilometres,notevenatenthofourgoal(thoughwe’dachieved95percentofourexpectedaltitude).Wewereheartbrokenbutourextensiverepairandrecoveryfromthecrevassingwasburningthroughresources.Wewouldrunoutoffuelbeforereachingtheothersideofthecontinent.
Forthenextfourmonths,wehibernatedontheplateau,conductingscienceexperimentsonavarietyofsubjectsforinstitutesfromaroundtheworld,includinganinvestigationforNASAintotheeffectsofsolitudeandisolationonthehumanspirit.Noneofourresearchwassacrificedbystopping.InSeptember,whenitwastimetobeginourjourneyhome,ittookalmosttwoweekstofreeourequipmentfromthe
clutchesofawinterthathadnearlyburiedus.Itwasahugerelieftomewhenthebulldozersroaredbacktolifeandsafelytransportedusthe120kilometrestotheairstripattheBelgianresearchstationfromwhereweflewhome.
TheColdestJourneychallengedmeateveryturn,mentallyandphysically,asitdideverymemberoftheteam.Shortlyaftertheshipleftusontheice,Icanrecalloptimisminourbeamingsmiles.Astheexpeditionprogressed,however,therewerefewersmiles.Sanityinsuchsituationsispushedtothebreakingpoint.Friendshipsfail,communicationbreaksdownandmoraleisarollercoaster.Someteammembersarenotasfriendlynowwitheachotheraswhenwesetoff.Someofus,however,havebecomefriendsforlife.
SomewouldsaytheColdestJourneyfailed.Initspursuitofafirst-everwintercrossingandworldrecord,Iseetheirpoint.Butwhen
IlookatthescientificdatawecollectedandthenearlyUS$3millionweraisedforSeeingisBelieving,Iviewitasahugesuccess.Ifeelfortunatetohavebeenpartofit,growingandchangingasaresult.IreallyenjoymyjobasaheavyequipmenttechniciananditwasamazingtohavetheopportunitytotestmyselfinAntarctica.Also,myskillsasawriter,myabilitytoaddresscrowdsandtheconfidenceneededtopushmyselftosucceedarelifeskillsItookawayfromtheexperiencethatwillalwaysstaywithme.
InmyapplicationessaytoFiennes,IsaidIwantedtojointheteamtorepresentmycompany,mycountryandmyfamily.Althoughwedidn’tsuccessfullyachievethecrossing,wedidprovethatwithgreatdesignandpreparationgreatthingsarepossible.IworemyCanadianflag–asdidmybulldozer–withprideandIfeelIgavemyfamilysomethingtobeproudof.
Here’salookbackatmytimeonthecontinent.
v8.1 2014 41 v8.1 2014 41
his royal highness,thePrinceofWales,hasbeenapatrontoseveralofSirRanulfFiennes’sexpeditions–includingtheColdestJourney.AfterweloadedtheicebreakerSAAgulhas,wesaileduptheRiverThamesandunderTowerBridge.PrinceCharlescameonboardduringabanquettowishusgoodluck.I’vemetafewproathletesandevenmoviestarsbutwhenImettheprinceIwastrulystar-struck.Itcouldhavebeenthesecretservicestandingguard,orthehourofetiquettetrainingwereceivedbeforethemeeting,orjustbecausemymotherissuchahugefan.
the voyage fromSouthAfricatoAntarcticawasunforgettable.Enginetroublehadusbobbingstationaryfornearlytwodays.Afterrepairs,weenteredtheRoaringForties,aregionoftheSouthernHemisphererenownedforitsviolentseas.Evenfivestoreysup,thewavesstillreachedusaswewatchedequipmentstrappedtothedeckdipbeloweachwavebeforeeruptinginashowerofblackwater.Two-thirdsintothetripweencounteredthefirsticebergs;thefloatingmountainsoficeseemedtocalmtheseas.WiththemcameAntarcticsealife.Whales,sealsandpenguinsallseemedascuriousaboutusaswewereaboutthem.
we arrived atCrownBay,AntarcticaonJan.18,2013.Fortunately,wehadperfectblueskies,near0Candnotabreathofwindduringunloading.ThesunwouldnotsetuntilthethirdweekinFebruaryand,becauseofthereflectivesurfaceoftheice,itwaslikeworkinginagianttanningbed.(Ididn’tevenknowtheymadeSPF100sunscreen.)Assoonasthehatchesabovewereclear,thetwobulldozers–51tonscombined–wereliftedoutontotheice.SeeingabrandnewmodelD6NCatbulldozerwithmynamestencilledonthedoor,hangingfromthatcraneandshiningbrightlyinthesun,isoneofmyfavoriteimagesfromouradventure.
PEOPLE
42 techlifemag.ca
although we hadground-penetratingradartoassesstheconsistencyoftheicebelow,itwasn’talwaysperfect.WehadtowinchDykes’sbulldozerfromninecrevasses.Eventhoughourwinchingequipmentwaswellwithinweightcapacities,theforcesinvolvedandthereducedtractionmaderecoverydifficultanddangerous.BothDykesandIgrewupplayingwith4x4sinthemudbutthatdidn’tprepareusfortherecoveriesweaccomplishedinAntarctica.
the blue caboosestowedbyeachofthebulldozerswereourshelterandworkspace.BehindmyCat(left)aretwo16-metreshippingcontainerscombinedside-by-sideandmountedonasteelsledgewithskis.Thiswaswherewelived.Insideweresixbunks,alargediningtable,afull-servicekitchenwithamicrowaveandbreadmaker,apantryforfreshfood,andabathroom,whichevenhadastand-upshower.Wewerehardlyroughingit.
Atoneendofitwasaroomthathousedasmalldieselgenerator,abankofbatteriestorunoursystemsatnightwhenthegeneratorwasoff,anda700-litremelttanktosupplyallourfreshwater.
Behindtheotherbulldozerwasthesciencecaboose.Itwasasinglecontainersplittohouseourmedicallaboratoryatoneendandourmaintenanceworkshopattheother.
all the mechanical systemsprovedtobeextremelyresilientintheextremeconditions.AlongwiththeotherFinningtechnician,RichmondDykesfromCookstown,NorthernIreland,Ihadveryfewrepairstodo.Thereisalwaysroutinemaintenance,someofwhichcanbefairlyextensive.
v8.1 2014 43 v8.1 2014 43
the northern lights,auroraborealis,areasightmanynorthernersfrequentlyenjoy.IhaveseentheminPeaceRiver,AlbertasobrighttheyrivalalmosteverydisplaywewitnessedinAntarctica.TheSouthernLights,auroraaustralis,arerarelyseenbecausetheyonlyoccurintheAntarcticwinterwhenthereareveryfewpeoplethere.Wewereveryfortunatetocaptureimagesofgreenauroradancingagainstthisdarkbluehorizon,whichIhaveneverwitnessedinthenorth.
after our researchontheAntarcticPlateau,webroughtthetwobulldozersbackonlineforourtripbackintothemountainsandontocatchourplanehome.DykesandIhadtocompletethisfinalserviceat-44Cwithawindchillof-72Candvisibilitylessthantwometres.Thiswasthemosttryingserviceofmycareer.AsimplejobthatwouldtakeonetechmaybethreehourspermachineundernormalcircumstancestookDykesandI10hourspermachine.I’llnevercomplainaboutchangingoilat-30Cagain.
when the plane arrivedtotakeushomeonNov.26,2013(I’mintheforeground,welderandgeneraltradescontractorIanPrickettisinthebackground),afteralmostaweekofweatherdelay,thereweremixedemotionsaboutleaving.Ononehand,youmisssomanythingsfromhome:family,friends,trees,grass,everything.Ontheother,youknowhowrareachanceitistoseethebeautyoftheAntarcticlandscapefirsthand.WhenIlookbacknowonmyadventure,ImissitasmuchnowasImissedhomewhileIwasthere.
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44 techlifemag.ca
Julie Matthews, Global TV’s
former Troubleshooter, has
left television. Slipping behind
the scenes, however, may only
enhance her strength as one
of Alberta’s most dedicated
consumer crusaders.
STORY BY SCOTT MESSENGER
PHOTOS BY BLAISE VAN MALSEN
LOOKING FOR
v8.1 2014 45
PEOPLE
Julie matthews’s career is in trouble.The38-year-oldhasspentmostofherworkinglifesortingthroughitandsortingitout.Troublehaspaidherbills.Itstilldoes,butdifferently.Goneare
thebrightlights,thetelevisioncameras,themail(evenflowers)fromgratefulfansforbeingtoughyetcompassionate,tirelessandfearless.Ofcourse,thatwastheglamoroussideofherdecadeastheGlobalTVTroubleshooter,goingonairalmostnightlytohelpconsumerssettledifferenceswithbusinessestheybelievedhaddonethemwrong.Therewasalsofrustration,considerableovertimeandadelugeofdistressedphonecallsandemails.Nowthat’sallgone,too.
Earlierthisyear,inhernewofficeatServiceAlberta’sdowntownEdmontonconsumerinvestigationunit,troubleremainsbutitdoesn’tsetthephonetoanear-relentlessbuzz.Heremailpingsinfrequently.Ifthere’sacameraanywhere,it’sdesignedforsecurityratherthanthe6o’clocknewscast.Theshelvesaboveherdeskarestackedwithwhitebindersfatwithlegalese–theactsshe’llenforceinhernewroleasaninvestigatorandpeaceofficer.
Ifthisseemsanunusualnextstepinthecareerofamediapersonality–manyofwhommoveontofreelanceorconsultingworkortoPRroles–itisn’t,inthiscase,illogical.
“WhenIstartedIwasareporter.WhenIleftIwasaninvestigator,”saysMatthews(RadioandTelevision’95)ofhertimeasTroubleshooter.
“WhenIcameinhere,”sheadds,“Ifeltathome.”Thedayshewalkedintotheofficeofthisprovincialgovernmentministry,shefeltasifshe’djoinedasquadoftroubleshooters,bringingtoitauniquebackgroundandskillsetthatmayhelptheunitadvanceitseffortstoprotectconsumers–effortsthatin2013-14recovered$560,000forAlbertansanddealt$146,000infinestounscrupulousbusinesses.
ThechangemeansmoretoMatthewsthanjustbeingamongherownkind.She’sgottwoyoungboyswhowillnowhavethepleasureofamomwhocanmaketimetocometoschoolevents.Balancedwiththat,shemightnowbeabletobettersatisfyherdrivetosetthingstorightsbylayingcharges.TheTroubleshooterrole,shesays,“wasabigpartofmyidentity”–soingrainedthatunresolvedcaseshaunthertothisday.Troubledidn’talwaysstopwithMatthewsbefore.Nowitcan.
matthews didn’t get to this pointinhercareerbyseekingtrouble;itfoundher.
“I’dlovetotellyouthatitwasmylifelongdreamtobeTroubleshooterandrightthewrongs,”shesays.“Maybeinanindirectwaythatispartofwhatappealedtomeaboutthatjob.”
SomemoralimperativemayhaveindeedpushedherbecauseasTimSpelliscy,whohiredherforthejob10yearsago,says,“It’sthetypeofrolewhereyouneedsomeonewho’skeentodoit.”Theworkloadissointensethatthejobburnedthroughfivereportersinthe10yearsbeforeMatthews.“Youcan’ttalksomebodyintothatjob,”addsGlobal’sEdmontonstationmanagerandregionaldirectorfornews.
Matthewswasdefinitelyinterested,mostlysoshecouldcomehome.ShewasintheOkanaganatthetimebutgrewupinaBruderheimhouseholdwhere“thenewswasoneverysinglenight,”sherecalls.
“Inthemorningwewereshushedaroundthebreakfasttablebecausetheradiowasonandthenewswasabouttostart.”Workingatthestationshegrewupwith(GlobalwasITVatthetime)wasadreamcometrue–onesherealizedafterstopsatstationsinLloydminster,LethbridgethenPenticton,whereshehonedanabilitytodeliverasaone-woman(pluscameraman)shop.ForSpelliscy,herB.C.stintrepresentedapotentiallyreliable,self-directedreporter.ForMatthews,itopenedthedoortobeingreunitedwithafiancébackhome.
46 techlifemag.ca
PEOPLE
Thoughshetookthejob,itmadehernervous.“Atthetime,Ididn’treallythinkofmyselfasapitbull,”shesays.“Iwasn’tsureIwasastoughastheTroubleshooterneededtobe.
“Thatkindofjobputsyouinapositionwhereyou’redealingwithalotofpeoplewhoarenothappytoseeyou.Basically,you’retakingonthemostconfrontationaljobinmedia.”(NoonetookaswingatherashappenedwithmaleTroubleshooters,shesays,butshedidreceiveatleastonedeaththreat.)
Nevertheless,shemadeitherown,Spelliscysays.“Shebecamemoreeffectiveandstrongerinthatroleastimewenton.”Matthewsfieldedroughly30,000callsandemailsandconductedmorethan275investigationsannually.Byherlastthreeyearsonthejob,shewasrecoveringmorethan$100,000ayear.Butitcamewithacost.
“Ibecamealmostaddictedtoit,”saysMatthews.Shewasdoingtwo-orthree-minutespots(moststoriesgetroughlyaminute)asoftenasfournightsaweek.Shewasrespondingtocomplaintswhenshewasathomeandduringhercommute.“Mypersonalityjustbecameaworkaholic.Itriedtohelpeveryone,eventhoughitwascompletelyimpossible.”
Lookingback,SpelliscyisamazedMatthewsstayedwiththejobforadecadewithoutburningout.“Inaway,Julieisavictimofherownsuccessbecausethebiggerstoriesandthehigherprofilejustledtomorephonecalls,moreemailsandmorepeoplesaying,‘Canyouhelpme?’”
most of matthews’s casescamefromAlbertansfeelingcheatedbymovingcompanies,insurers,usedcardealersandhomebuilders.Onereasonforthehighnumberofcomplaints,particularlyinthelastcategory,suggestsPhilPerry,isthatconsumersaretootrusting.
“Mostpeoplewanttoseegoodinpeople,”saystheConstructionEngineeringTechnologyinstructor.
InAlberta,thatapproachdoesn’talwaysendwellforacoupleofreasons.Perry,whoaspresidentoftwocondoboardshashadmixedexperienceswithbuildingcontractors,pointstotheboomingeconomyandtheskilled-labourvacuumitcreates.“Alotofguysaremigratingintothecommercialmarket,”hesays.“Asaresult,there’salotofpeopleenteringtheresidentialmarketwhodon’thavetheskillsets.There’smoreworkouttherethantherearecontractorsabletodoit.”
MartinRoy,thedirectorofServiceAlberta’sconsumerinvestigationunitwhohiredMatthews,islessgenerousinhisassessment.“We’rea
‘have’provinceanditbringsindividuals…whotrytotakeadvantageofthesituation.”
Inrecentyears,hisgroupof20investigatorsacrosstheprovincehasbeengrowingmoreproactive.Ratherthansimplyrespondingtocomplaints,theunitalsotargetsproblematicindustries.Inspring2013,forexample,heworkedwithMatthewstoteleviseaServiceAlberta
“baithouse”projectaimedathomeinspectorsoperatingwithoutalicence.Itwasoneofseveralconnectionshe’dmadewiththe
THE WORKLOAD IS SO INTENSE THAT THE JOB BURNED THROUGH FIVE REPORTERS IN 10 YEARS BEFORE MATTHEWS.
Web ExtraConstructionEngineeringTechnologyinstructorPhilPerryexplainshowtomanagerelationshipswith
contractorsattechlifemag.ca/home-renovations-contractors.htm.
Left and centre, as a peace officer, Julie Matthews can now lay charges following an investigation of a consumer complaint; above, the Global TV crew gave her this portrait as a going-away gift.
v8.1 2014 47
ThattenacityisonereasonSpelliscywillrememberherasoneofhismosteffectiveTroubleshooters.It’salsowhyunresolvedcaseshaunther,includingoneinwhicha90-year-oldwomanpaid$3,000toamovingcompanytorelocateher69-year-oldblindson.Itneverdidandneverrefundedthemoney.“Theyignoredthewoman,ignoredherfamilyandtheyignoredme,”saysMatthews,whowasneverabletorecoupthecost.
“Istillthinkabouther.”Often,however,Matthewscouldachievemuchwithacameraand
persistence.Sometimes,theresultswereimmediate.“Insomecases,”shesays,“we’retalking$50,000chequeswerereturned.”Ifshewasinsomewayaddictedtothejob–tothebrightlights,thecamera,thethrillofthehunt,theaccolades–sheadmitsitisahardhabittobreak.
“Ihadtofigureout,‘Hey,amIreadytowalkawayfromwhatsomepeoplewouldsayisbeingsomeone,beingacelebrity?’”Morethanthat,sheworried,“WouldIbeabletostillmakeadifferenceandfeelthatlevelofpersonalsatisfaction?”
Thinkingbackonthatmovingcompany,shebelievesshecould.“MaybenowImayormaynotbeabletomakethemgivehermoneybackbutImaybeabletochargethem.Imaybeabletoholdthemaccountable.”
Today,she’sreadytomoveon,afirstfileonherdesk,alandlord-tenantdisputeoveradamagedeposit.She’sstillholdingontomemoriesofthose10yearsinthespotlightbutshehasputthemliterallybehindher.AportraitofheratherdeskatGlobal–agoing-awaygift–leansagainstthewallatherback,waitingtobehung.Toherleftisanotherportrait,onedonebyheryoungestsonforMother’sDaythatshowshisunderstandingofwhatmomdoesforalivingnow.
“Hedrewapictureofmelookinglikeacrossbetweenasuperheroandapoliceofficer,”shesays.“Hehassaidtome,‘Mommy,I’msadI’mnotgoingtoseeyouonTVanymore.’
“Isaid,‘I’msorry.Butyou’regoingtoseememoreinpersonnow.’”
from julie matthews
g Geteverythinginwriting.Verbalpromisesaretoughtoprove.
g Researchcompaniescarefullybeforehiring–evensearchGoogleforcomplaints.
g Takephotosasproof.Photographyourodometerwhenyoudropyourvehicleoffforrepairs,theconditionofyourrentalapartmentwhenyoumoveout,andyourrentalcarwhenyoureturnit.
g Beforeleavingonvacation,checkyourinsurancepolicy.Someonemayhavetocheckyourhomeevery24to72hoursforittobecovered.
g Readthefineprintbeforesigninganything.
g Onlydoor-to-doorcontractorswithaprepaidcontractor’slicencewithServiceAlbertacantakedepositsfromyouinyourhome.
g Topwarningsignsofanonlinescam:thepersonaskingformoneyclaimstobelivingorworkingoverseas;theydon’tacceptcreditcardsorchequesandinsistyouwiremoney;theyuseheartbreakingstoriestotrytowinyouover.
consumer protection tips
reporteroverrecentyears,asMatthewswouldfrequentlyconsulttheorganizationduringherinvestigationsandevenearnedawardsfromitforherefforts.Goingforward,though,baitingisn’tanoperationheseessuitedtoher.
“Julie,givenherhighprofile,wouldnotbemyfirstchoicetobeutilizedasanoperatortoconductundercoverstings,”saysRoy.Instead,he’llrelyonherexperiencetohelpidentifynewtargets.Andthoughhestressesshewasn’thiredforherlocalcelebritystatus,heintendstoleanalittleonherestablishedpublicpersona.
“TheaverageAlbertandoesn’tknowthatweexist,”hesays.Matthews’scomfortwithanaudiencecouldhelpspreadthewordabouttheconsumerinvestigationsunitatconferences,seniors’centresandonlinethroughsocialmedia.“That’ssomethingIwanttoworktowards:elevatingtheprofileofourunit,”hesays.
“WewanttogetthemessageouttoAlbertanstotrytohelpthembeforetheybecomeavictimofanunscrupulousbusiness.IthinkhavingJulieaspartoftheteamisastepintherightdirection.”
among matthews’s professional strengths,andperhapsoneofthereasonssheultimatelyhadtoleavemedia,isanunwillingnesstoletgo.InNovember2013,adensefogsettledoverHighway21,causing40collisions.Thereporterhappenedtobeinitandrealizeditwasuptohertocapturethestory–despitehavingapreviouslybrokenfoot.(Matthewsloveshighheelsandhadcaughtoneinanelevatordoortrack,leadingtotheinjury.)
“Theresheis,walkingcast,crutches,inthefog,doingastoryusingheriPhone,”recallsSpelliscy.“AndthefootagewasoneofthemostincrediblestoriesIhadeverseen.”
Whenshecouldn’tjugglecameraandcrutches,shehoppeddowntheroad,safetytakingabackseattothestory.“AllIcanhear–andI’llneverforgetit–isthisterriblesoundofcrashingbehindme,”shesays.Regardless,shewouldn’tlettheopportunitytosharethestorygetaway.
48 techlifemag.ca
PEOPLE
Let us take you places!At WorleyParsonsCord the future is bright. Come grow with Alberta’s leading field construction, module fabrication and assembly company. Find your place on our team.
www.worleyparsonscord.com
NAIT 2014_Tech Life_Full page_June.indd 1 26/06/2014 6:10:31 PM
Describe your job in a nutshell.
BradKennedy:Mostpeopleseearchitectsaspeoplewhodrawanddesignunique-lookingspacesandbuildings.Ihavealwaysbelievedthatit’smuchbeyondthat.Everystorythatwetellinvolvesphysicalelements–somethingwewalkedby,aspacewewerein,therestaurant,whowewerewith,whattheenvironmentwaslike.Ithinkarchitectshaveauniqueprivilegeofdesigningandcreatingthebackdropsforthestoriesofpeople’slives.
How did you come up with the design of the Pearl?
Thepropertywaszonedforwhatwecalledalay-downchestfreezer:11storeystall,asquareblockwithalotofdensity.Wetippedituptobeastand-upfridge–exactlythesamemassbut24storeystallinsteadof11.Whilethatopenedupanopportunitynexttoittodoapocketpark,itwasstillthismassivebuildinganditdidn’thavewhatwecallsculpturalquality.
Soweturnedthatstand-upfridgeintoanactualblockofclayandsculptedittocreatemoreofafootballshape.Thatallowedourbuildingtobecomeskinnier,whichpreservedviewsfortheneighboringcondosandallowedmorelighttopassthroughfromthesouthsideontoJasperAve.ItalsocreatedalargerparkareanextdoorsothatwecouldhaveanopengreenspaceonJasper,whichyoudon’thavealotof.Wetriedtocreateabuildingthathasiconicpresence.
What were some of the challenges with this project?
Wehadtoworkthrougharezoningprocessthatwaslongandextensive,aswellasworkwiththecommunityandplanningdepartment.Afterthat,wehadtoturnaverydetaileddesigndevelopmentandconstructiondrawingsetintoarealitythatwaseconomicallybuildable.Mostfloorshave20or30corners,sothere’salotofundulation,whichdoesn’tmakeitcheap.
as one ofedmonton’smosttalked-aboutresidentialprojects–certainlythemostvisible–thePearl(right)reacheshighabovethewesternedgeofdowntown,providingunobstructedviewsofthecity.PrincipalarchitectBrad Kennedy(ArchitecturalTechnology’86)comparesridingtheelevatortoascendingtheEmpireStateBuilding“onanEdmontonscale.”
“At12,15floors,allthebuildingsaroundyoustop.Andonceyouhit20,30,36youareabletolookallthewayaroundandthere’sno
URBAN PEARLBrad Kennedy takes luxury to new heights.
There are buildings from the 1960s and ’70s at that end of Jasper and then you have this uber-modern high rise. How did you reconcile that?
Therewasnoattempttotryandbeliketheotherbuildingsbutwedidn’tnecessarilytrytocompete.Theyareapartofthefabric[ofthecity]andatonepointtheywerethelatestandgreatest.Nowthereisanewyoungerbrotherthatisenjoyingthatfocus–justforamoment.
Favorite features of the building?
Thecurtain-wallglazingsystemandthemetalpaneladdanewdynamictothebuilding.Ithinkthat’sunique.Also,weneverpredictedthatthebuildingcouldbeviewedfromtheQuesnellBridge,fromtheEdmontonInternationalAirport,fromAnthonyHendayDriveonthewestside,fromtherefineriesontheeastside.Itisanunbelievablenewmarker.
What is the Pearl’s contribution to Edmonton architecture?
IhopethatasthestoryofthePearlistold,there’salotofreflectiononhowitpreservedviewsforitsneighbours,allowedsunlightontoJasperAvenue,andcreatedapocketparknextdoor.Ihopethataspeoplelookbacktheyseeabuildingthathadalotofthoughtfuldesignandusedmaterialsthatraisedthebar.Often,residentialcondosarecreatedastallboxesbuiltforthesolepurposeofhangingbalconies.
neighbour.”ThetallestresidentialbuildinginEdmonton,thePearlprovidescondoownersonthetopfloorswithanunrivalledbird’s-eyeviewoftherivervalleyandbeyondtoallcornersofthecity.
KennedybecamepartofBrinsmeadKennedyArchitecture11yearsagoandhasbeendesigningbuildingsinEdmontonsincethe1990s.Here,heshareshisviewsontheroleofanarchitectandexplainshowablockofclayhelpedshapethe36-storeymetalandglassluxurytower,scheduledtobecompletelaterthisyear.
—Sherri Krastel
50 techlifemag.ca
PEOPLE
“ THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO TRY AND BE LIKE THE OTHER BUILDINGS.”-BRADKENNEDY,PRINCIPAL,BRINSMEADKENNEDYARCHITECTURE
PH
OTO
BY
BLA
ISE
VA
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ALS
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v8.1 2014 51
LESSONS FROM A BUTCHER’S DAUGHTERAs one of the industry’s most grounded celebrity chefs, Hokanson Chef in Residence Lynn Crawford brings student aspirations down to earth and within reach.
STORY BY MARTA GOLD
PHOTOS BY NAIT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
CULINAIT
Student Illyana Black gets one-on-one instruction with Chef Lynn Crawford
v8.1 2014 53
Sohasflappingaroundaduckfarm(“They’redirtyandtheysmellreallybad”),workingonashrimpboat(“Wewerepullingup15,000poundsofthoselittlebabyshrimpandthey’resosweet,itwaslikecandy”),andfishingforcrabandcrawfishinLouisiana(“Youtieaturkeylegontotheendofastringandyouthrowitintothebayouandhopethealligatorsdon’teatit”).
Crawford’swildtaleswereawindowintoanotherworldfortheseaspiringchefs,manyofwhomhavelikelyneverdugapotatofromanEdmontongardenletalonepickedanorangefreshoffthetreeorworkedonafishingboat.Herunderlyingmessage,however,appliesasmuchtothebackyardasthebayou.“Don’tscratchthesurface.Reallyknowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom,”shesays.
as crawford works her way aroundtheroomonthatfirstday,sheaskseachstudentwhatheorsheaspirestobe.Theanswersareasvariedasthestudentsthemselves,whorangeinagefrom18toalmost50.Onewantstobeafoodtruckoperator,anotherhopestoworkinahotelkitcheninsomeexoticlocale.Oneyoungmansayshisgoalis“tobefamous.”
Forstudentswithaspirationsofcelebrity,spendingtimewiththelikesofCrawfordcanbeagreatrealitycheck,saysPerryMichetti,associatedeanoftheSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArts.“Hearinghowhardsheworkedtogettowheresheis,and
Culinary studentsmighthavebeenbeenexpectingcelebritychefLynnCrawfordtoplythemwithtalesofcookingfor,andeatingwith,therichandfamousduring
herweekasNAIT’sHokansonChefinResidencelastMarch.Instead,theygotalessoninrespect,humilityandthevalue
ofhardwork.WhilemostknowCrawfordbestasaFoodNetworkCanada
starandcookbookauthor,theinsightsshesharedwerelessaboutthebrightlightsofculinaryfamethanaboutthesatisfactionofgettingdownanddirtyonthefarm.
ThatethoswasattheheartofCrawford’spopularFoodNetworkshowPitchin’ In,forwhichshespentfouryearstravellingNorthAmerica,workingalongsidethosewhoproduceourfoodand,intheprocess,gaininganewappreciationfortheliteralbreadandbutterofhervocation.
“Haveyoueverpickedorangesbefore?”sheasksthedozensofculinarystudentsgatheredaroundherinthedemonstrationkitchen.“It’sahootbutit’shardwork,andI’veneverlookedatanorangethesamewayagain.It’saboutrespectingproduct.Anorangeissonotanorange.”
Anunderstandingandregardforingredientsandwheretheycomefromis“ahugepartoftheintegrityofafinechef,”saysCrawford.“Ithascompletelychangedmeasachef.”
Miniature zucchini cake with fresh orange purée
“I’VE NEVER LOOKED AT AN
ORANGE THE SAME WAY.”
-LYNNCRAWFORD,2014HOKANSONCHEFINRESIDENCE
CULINAIT From left, students Brandy McIsaac, Spencer Berge, Chef Lynn Crawford, Lanaya Hooper and Tung Nguyen in the NAIT culinary lab
54 techlifemag.ca
seeinghowmuchshevaluesteamworkinthekitchen,it’sagreatlessonforthem,”headds.
WhileCrawfordknowsathingortwoaboutbeingfamous–she’soneofthecountry’stopchefsandarguablyitsmostrecognizablefemalechef–thatwasnothergoalwhenshestarted.
Thebutcher’sdaughterwhogrewupinthesuburbsofTorontosaysshehad“noaspirationsotherthanbeingtheverybest”whenshedecidedtoattendculinaryschool.“Ifyouhadsaidtome20yearsagothatIwouldbeexecutivechefattheFourSeasonsinNewYorkCity,thatIwouldbeontelevisionshowsairingaroundtheworld,Iwouldhavesaid,‘No.Ineverthoughtaboutthosethings.’”
Whenoneofthestudents,awomanwhosaysshewillturn50beforeshegraduatesfromNAIT’sculinaryprogram,asksher,“Didyoueverthink,‘Ican’tdoit?’”Crawford’sanswercomeswithouthesitation.“No.Notonce.”
Crawfordstartedoutwithplanstobeanurse,afterherfathersufferedaheartattackwhenshewas18.“Believeitornot,I’maverycaringperson,”shesays.“Iwantedtohelppeople.”Butnursingschoolwasnotforher,norwasfinearts,thepathshetriednext.Instead,shedecidedtopursueherpassionforfoodandwineinculinaryschoolatToronto’sGeorgeBrownCollege.
HOKANSON CHEF IN RESIDENCEThisuniqueprogramprovidesstudentsintheSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArtswitharareopportunitytolearnfromthebestchefsintheworld.Theprogram–theresultofagenerousdonationfromJohnandSusanHokanson–beganwithCanadiancelebritychefRobFeenie(2009),followedbyDavidAdjey(2010),SusurLee(2011),MassimoCapra(2012)andChrisCosentino(2013).
Savoury crème brûlée with smoked trout and pickled red onion
From left, Katie Oberst, Julia Hogendoorn, Chef Lynn Crawford, Miranda Maione and Selina Asuncion
v8.1 2014 55
Fearingshewasgettingalatestartbecauseshewasalreadyinherearly20s,sheworkeddouble-timetocatchup,gorgingonknowledge,practiceandexperience.ShewenttoschoolduringthedayandworkedovernightattheDeltaChelseaHotel,learningtopainstakinglysegmentgrapefruit,tobakefreshcroissants,tomakeeventhesimplesttasksperfectandextraordinary.
“Knowledgeisstrength,”shetellsthestudents.“Submergeyourselfintheculinaryworld.”
the advice resonateswithstudentJulia Hogendoorn(CulinaryArts’14),21,whoadmitsshe“freakedout”and“mayhavescreamed”whenshefoundoutCrawfordwouldbetheChefinResidenceforHogendoorn’sfinalterm.
“Sheseemstocareaboutwhatfoodmeanstopeopleasopposedtojustbeingaskillfulchef,”saysHogendoorn,whohopestoownherownrestaurantsomeday,justasCrawforddoeswithRubyWatchcoinToronto.“Itmakesyoulovewhatyou’redoinginstantaneouslywhenyouseesomebodylikethat,wholovesfoodsomuch.”
Hogendoorn’splanisnottoskyrockettocelebritybuttoslogitoutinkitchensandlearnasmuchasshecan.She’salreadyworkedinfastfoodandonapeachfarminOntarioforthesummer.Now,afterimpressingCrawfordduringthechef’stimeatNAIT,she’sthrilledtohavelandedanentry-leveljobasacookatRubyWatchco.
“Peoplesaytheywanttobeafamouschef,butI’dratherjustbethebestIcanbeandhelpothersalongtheway.”
ForstudentKariMarchand,a43-year-oldmotheroftwoteenagerswhoisnowpreparingforacareerinthefoodworld,Crawfordwasaninspiration–asenthusiastic,down-to-earthandhard-workingasMarchandhadimaginedhertobe.
“ShewasverymuchwhatyouseeonTV.”
Marchand,whoisnowinherfinalsemester,saysCrawfordencouragedstudentstobebold,bothintheirwillingnesstotrynewfoodcombinationsandinknockingondoorsinpursuitofopportunity.
“Shesaidtolookinthemirroreverydayandthinkhowyoucouldimprove,becausenoteveryday’sgoingtobeyourbestday.Thatreallystuckwithme.”
HogendoornsaysherexperiencewithCrawfordhasgivenherconfidence,bothinherownleadershipskillsandherabilityasachef.DuringCrawford’stimeatNAIT,Hogendoorn,MarchandandsomeoftheirclassmatesgotthechancetoworkalongsideCrawfordpreparingmeals.
“ItfeltreallynaturalbutitwasalsoadifferentexperiencethanI’vehadbefore,withamentorrightbesideyou,workingjustashardasyou,”saysHogendoorn.
for crawford, too,thetimespentpreparingspecialmealswiththestudentswasahighlightofherweek,shesays.“Toseetheirfacesandthatsenseofaccomplishmentandprideandsharedexcitement…Ilovethat,Ido.”
Crawford’sfocusonself-reliance,hardworkanddeterminationoverflashandcelebritygavestudentslikeHogendoornanewmeasureofconfidence,andarespectforthemselvesandtheirowngoals.
“I’vealwaysbeenabigbelieverthatyouarewhatyoumakeofyourself,andthat’swhatshewashugeon,”saysHogendoorn.“Shemademerealizethattheonlythingstandinginyourwayisyourselfsayingyoucan’tdoit.Sheisproofthatifyoustrivefortheverybest,thenit’sgoingtoallfallintoplace.”
Web extraVisittechlifemag.ca/hokanson-lunch-2014.htmforatasteofthemarqueeculinaryeventstudentshelpedCrawfordstageduringhertimeasHokansonChefinResidence.
LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT LYNN CRAWFORD
Shecomesfromalonglineofbutchers,
includinghergrandfather,father,uncleandaunt.
Shehasasweettooth.HerfavouritechocolatebarsareSkorandCrunchie.
Shelovespickles;herchocolatelabis
namedCharliePickles.
Herfavouritejunkfoodispopcorn.
Inherveryearlydays,sheworkedatagreasyspooncalledtheHomesteader,wherethecooktoldhertothrowahamburgerinthe
deepfryer.“Isaid,‘Butthere’sagrillrighthere!’Andhesaid,‘It’sfastertojustthrowitinthefryer.’”* * * * * *
56 techlifemag.ca
CULINAIT
SALMON CEVICHE250 g (8 oz.) skinless salmon fillet,
cut into 1-cm (1/2-inch) cubes
Zest and juice of 2 limes
5 ml (1 tsp) finely grated fresh horseradish
1 bunch chives, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
Salt and pepper
250 ml (1 cup) pea greens
2 radishes, julienned
LIME-MARINATED BEETS6 small red beets, greens removed
4 sprigs thyme
60 ml (1/4 cup) kosher salt
60 ml (1/4 cup) sherry vinegar
30 ml (2 tbsp) sugar
Zest and juice of 1 lime
60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
Salt and pepper
HORSERADISH LIME SOUR CREAM75 ml (1/3 cup) sour cream
10 ml (2 tsp) finely grated fresh horseradish
15 ml (1 tbsp) finely chopped chives
15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice
Salt
Inalargebowl,combinethesalmon,limezestandjuice,horseradish,chives,jalapeño
andoliveoil.Seasonwellwithsaltandpepper.Coverandrefrigeratefor1to2hours.
Meanwhile,makethelime-marinatedbeets.Inasaucepan,combinethebeets,thyme,
koshersalt,vinegarandsugar.Coverwithwaterandbringtoaboil,thenreduceheat
andsimmeruncovereduntilthebeetsarefork-tender,about1hour.Drainthebeetsand
runundercoldwater.Slipofftheskin.Drythebeetsandcutinto5-mm(1/4-inch)dice.
Transfertoabowl.Tosswiththelimezestandjuiceandoliveoil;seasonwellwithsalt
andpepper.Coverandletmarinateintherefrigeratoruntilreadytoserve.
Nowmakethehorseradishlimesourcream.Inasmallbowl,mixalloftheingredients
togetherandseasonwell.
Toserve,spoonthesalmonontothecentreof4saladplates.Placesomemarinatedbeets
ontopofthesalmon.Spoonadollopofthehorseradishsourcreamontop.Garnishwith
peagreensandjuliennedradishes.
SALMON CEVICHE WITH LIME-MARINATED BEETS
FROM LYNN CRAWFORD’S PITCHIN’ IN SERVES4
[ RECIPE ]
INGREDIENTS METHOD
v8.1 2014 57
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past several locked doorsanddownanarrowconcretestairwell,pipessnakeoverheadandalongthewallsoftheservicetunnelsinthebasementofNAIT’sMaincampus.There’sthesoundofwatergushingthroughpipesandthehumoffanbelts.Theair,smellingslightlyofdampconcrete,iscoolorwarminturndependingonthetunnelanditsfunction.
This840-metre-longwebofservicetunnels,mostdatingtothe1960s,isresponsibleforkeepingmuchofMaincampusrunning,supplyingeverythingwestof106Street–fromthebusinesstowertotheathleticsfacilitiestothecarpentryshops–withvitalservices.Alongwithnaturalgas,thetunnelstransmitsteamforheatingandchilledwaterfortheairconditioningrequiredinmostbuildingswheneveroutsidetemperaturesriseabove12C.Theycarryhotandcoldwaterfordomesticuse,housetwohigh-pressureaircompressorsforautomotive,carpentryandotherlabs,andsomeoftheelectricityneededtopowerthecampus,saysSteve Reid(inset,BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’11,Electrician’96,Air
ConditioningEngineeringTechnology’87)maintenanceandoperationsmanageratthetimeofwriting.ThetunnelsalsohouseEthernetcablesandtheold,pre-voice-over-Internettelephonesystem.
Havingtheseservicesintunnelsmakesthemeasiertoaccessandmaintainthanrunningthemintheground,saysReid.Whilerepairsarefrequentlyrequiredfortheagingequipment,therealchallengeisfittingtheworkintothesummerwhenclassesaren’tinsessionandstaffcanturnsomeoftheutilitiesoff,headds.
Accesstothetunnelsisrestrictedtofacilitiesandmaintenancestaff,althoughstudents,undersupervision,usethemforlearninginconstruction,engineeringandbuildingsystemsprograms.Reidheadedintothetunnelsasastudentinthe1980s.
“Itwasfantastic.You’reactuallyseeingintherealworldwhatthelecturesaretryingtoteachyouandwhatyou’retryingtosimulateinalab.Ittellsthestudentthat,yes,thereisarealapplicationforwhatyou’relearning.”
— Marta Gold and Fiona BenslerPH
OTO
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Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
CAREERs AT sHELL sKILLED TRADEs AND TECHNOLOGIsTs
At Shell, we understand that great ideas can change the world and we are developing all kinds of innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for energy. Operating in Canada since 1911, Shell has been recognized as a Top 100 Employer for 14 consecutive years, named one of Canada’s top diversity employers, and is recognized as an industry leader in sustainable development and safety.
Whatever your role at Shell, as part of a diverse, international network comprising some of the finest minds in the business, you’ll be helping to power people’s lives around the world for generations to come.
To learn more about career opportunities and to apply, visit www.shell.ca/jobs.
Let’s deliver better energy solutions together.
Scan to learn about life at Shell.
5 WAYS
GET INVOLVEDWITH NAIT
Give, connect and recognize success.
give a gift mentor stay connected get social celebrate
1 2 3 4 5
CelebrateachievementsbynominatinganalumforanAlumniRecognitionAward,honorarydegreeorDistinguishedFriendoftheInstituteAward.NominationscloseDec.31,2014.Downloadanominationformatnait.ca/alumniawards ornait.ca/awards.
Helpincreasestudents’accesstoscholarshipsandbursaries,up-to-dateequipmentandfacilities,enhancedprogramming,andathrivingcampuslife.Makeyourdonationatnait.ca/donate.
Shareyourexperiencewithaprospectivestudent.NAITislookingforalumnivolunteerstoassistwithcareerinvestigationsinavarietyofprograms,includingConstructionEngineeringTechnology,ElectricalEngineeringTechnologyandOccupationalHealthandSafety.Formoreinformationvisitnait.ca/volunteer.
Ouralumnirelationsprogramisgrowing!Shareyourcurrentemailaddresswithustoensureyoureceiveaninvitationtooneofournewevents.Updateyourcontactinformationatnait.ca/[email protected].
Jointheconversationonoursocialchannels.Entercontests,makeconnectionsandgetthelatestalumninewsbyconnectingwithusvianait.ca/socialalumni. We’reonFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInandInstagram!#ookforlife
Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
CAREERs AT sHELL sKILLED TRADEs AND TECHNOLOGIsTs
At Shell, we understand that great ideas can change the world and we are developing all kinds of innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for energy. Operating in Canada since 1911, Shell has been recognized as a Top 100 Employer for 14 consecutive years, named one of Canada’s top diversity employers, and is recognized as an industry leader in sustainable development and safety.
Whatever your role at Shell, as part of a diverse, international network comprising some of the finest minds in the business, you’ll be helping to power people’s lives around the world for generations to come.
To learn more about career opportunities and to apply, visit www.shell.ca/jobs.
Let’s deliver better energy solutions together.
Scan to learn about life at Shell.
v8.1 2014 61
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRAINING PROGRAMOne size doesn’t fit all when it comes to employee training. Tell us your needs and we’ll create a program that meets them.
• Business & Leadership• Trades• IT Training• Aboriginal Initiatives• Engineering
Technologies
• Telecommunications• Environmental
Management• Health & Safety• International Training
NAIT Corporate and International Training 780.471.6248 | nait.ca/cit
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Essential to professional development and lifelong learning
nait.ca/ConEd
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my job is to plan and execute the right projectattherighttime.I’membeddedintheteamsIworkwith–anywherefromfiveto80people.Idon’tprovidethesolutionsbutIknoweverylittlethingthat’sgoingon.Mycorefunction?Removeblockers,driveimpact.
there is no change controlatFacebook–justchange.Somyjobisalsotomakesuretheriskisappropriateandthattherightstuffgetsdoneasfastaspossible.Iterate,iterate.Keepmakingchanges.It’sthroughfailurethatyougetbetter.
there is little i can talk about thatIhaveworkedonbecausemostofit’sasecret.
two years at facebookislikesix,sevenyearsanywhereelse.Iaccomplishmoreinamonththansomepeopledoinsix.Thepaceissuperhigh.Icallitthehardestjobyou’lleverlove.Ihadaprobleminthefirstyeartransitioning.Youlearnhowtobalance.It’ssomeaningful,it’snotwork.Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit.
the real reason that it’s hardisthatyourbrainissotickledandyou’resoengagedcerebrally–howdoyoudisengagefromwork?
by technical program managerBurhan Syed’saccount,Facebooksoundsalittlelikeaworkingvacation.AtitsSanFranciscoBayareacampus,avaletcanparkyourcar,there’sfreefoodandcoffee,andmeetingscanbepassedwhilestrollingapromenadeorcirclingapleasantmarsh.AllFacebookasksinreturnisthatits7,200employeesservethecompany’s1.3billionmonthlyusersbybeingmoreproductivethanever.Ninetofivedoesn’texist;email,versussocial,isthenewsnailmail;anditerationisprogress–deploynow,fixlater.
Thissummer,Syed(ComputerEngineeringTechnology’97),a41-year-oldfatheroffive,visitedNAITtoexplainhowfortwo-and-a-halfyearshehasledprojectsvitaltoFacebook’sevolution,andwhyhecan’timaginedoinganythingelse.As told to Scott Messenger
about
salary: us$100,000-200,000 hours: approx. 50 hours/week location: san francisco bay area training: project management, network/hardware engineering and design, communications, data management
web extraVisittechlifemag.ca/facebook.htmformoreaboutBurhanSyed’slifeatFacebook,includingfacetimewithChairmanandCEOMarkZuckerberg.
one of our mission statementsistoconnecttheworld.Facebookconnectsyouandhelpsyousharethehumanexperience.We’remakingtheworldabetterplaceandfosteringunderstanding.There’ssomuchhateandbigotryandpeoplethatdon’tgeteachother,maybeFacebookcanchangethat.
a big part of it is mobile networking.Icandoalotofmyjobviamycellphone.Emailisadeadmedium.UsingFacebooktodoourcorebusinessmeansthatIgetanotificationonmyphoneandcanmanagemymillion-dollarprojectviamycellphone.Icanensurethere’saccountabilityandtransparency.
Social WorkHow Facebook has changed Burhan Syed forever.
Burhan
JOB DESCRIPTION
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We are more than builders. We are construction partners who work with you to build your career.
ACCLAIM
WAIT, THERE’S
MORE!Wayne Land (Management’70)receivedtheAlumniAwardofDistinctionforhisrolesasfounderofpropertymanagementcompanyOakwoodManagementLtd.andpast-presidentoftheNAITAlumniCouncil,andforhissupportoftheinstitute’sinternationalstudents.
Andre Gagnon (HeavyEquipmentTechnician’02),whoco-foundedfull-serviceheavyequipmentdealershipLiftBossMaterialHandlingGroup,receivedtheSpiritofNAITAlumniAward.Heisacurrentmemberoftheprogramadvisorycouncilanddonorofequipmentandscholarships.
ThisJuneattheSkillsCanadaNationalCompetitioninToronto,apprentices Brennan Roy-Bertin (AutomationandControl)andJacob Fluker (ElectricalInstallations)wongoldandachancetocompeteatWorldSkills2015inBrazil.
Michael Scheideman (RefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanic‘13),NAITgoldmedalwinnerfrom2013WorldSkills,wasnamedtheSkillsCanadaAlberta2014AlumnioftheYear.
Brendan Lunty(CombinedLabandX-RayTechnology’04)wontheinauguralBanffMarathonthisyearwithatimeof2:38:34.Luntyhaswonabouttwodozenofhisroughly80marathons.
WEB EXTRAFindoutwhatittakestobeoneofAlberta’sfastestmarathonersat
techlifemag.ca/brendan-lunty.htm.
AND THE WINNER IS...Recent awards and accolades for NAIT staff, students and alumni.
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DOOTSON NAMED FRIENDFortheleadershiphedemonstratedintheconstructionindustryandfordedicationtoapprenticeshiptrainingandsupportforNAIT, Roger Dootson (Carpenter’77)wasnamedthe2013DistinguishedFriendoftheInstitute.Theformervice-presidentofPCLConstructionManagementInc.wasalsohonouredin2012asaTop50AlumniandwithanAlumniAwardofDistinctionin2008.InacceptingtheDistinguishedFriendaward,DootsonincludedNAITinstructorsamongthosewhoplayedaroleinhis40-yearcareer.
INCLUSIVE EDUCTION Forhelpingadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesexperiencepost-secondaryeducation,NAIT receivedtheAlbertaAssociationforCommunityLiving’s(AACL)CommunityInclusionAward.Eachyear,ninestudentsauditavarietyofcoursestoearnacertificateandattendconvocation.“Whenyoursonordaughterisonthemarginsofsociety,oftenlookinginandwantingtobelong,NAITprovideswhatyoudreamedof,”saysAACLCEOBruceUditsky.
TOP CHEFSCulinaryArtsstudentsAshley Broad, Francis Flores, Peter Keith, Heena Kim, Michael Mak and Tung Nguyen returnedhomewinnersthisspringaftercompetinginthe2014FoodandHotelAsiaCulinaryChallengeinSingapore—themostprestigiouscookingeventinthatregion.Thebuddingchefsearnedeightsilverandbronzemedalsandawealthofworldlyexperience.
VICTORY FOR VEXVex Puzzles,amobilegameappdevelopedbyItzyInteractive,acompanyco-foundedbyKyle Kulyk (DigitalMediaandIT’11),wasnamedBestMobileEntertainmentfor2014byDigitalAlberta.Theappstandsoutbecauseitintegratesthegyroscopeandtouchscreenintogameplayasplayersconnectblocksofsimilarpatternsandcolours.“Ithoughtthatmadeforamorefluidpuzzlegame,”saysKulyk,“anditworked.”
WEB EXTRAVisittechlifemag.ca/itzy-interactive.htm tolearnaboutthechallengesofsucceedinginthemobileappmarket.
SKILLED VOLUNTEERSkillsCanadaAlbertanamedRefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanicchairTodd Matsubaits2014VolunteeroftheYear.Amongthereasonsarehismanyyearsoforganizingandjudgingeventsandmentoringmechanicswhohavegoneontowingoldatthenationalandinternationallevels.ForMatsuba,involvementwiththeorganization,whichexiststorepositiontradeandtechnicalcareersasafirstchoiceforyoungAlbertans,isitsownreward.“Igettoseethecompetitorsattheirfirstlevelofcompetitionandseethemgrow,”hesays.
SCORING LEADERCompetingforBarbados,Dale-Marie Cumberbatch(DigitalandInteractiveMedia’08,ComputerNetworkAdministration’09,BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’12)finishedthe2014CaribbeanBasketballConfederationChampionshipastoppointscorer,femaleormale.DespiteCumberbatch’saverageof24.4pointspergameBarbadosfinishedthetournament,heldintheBritishVirginIslands,insixthplace.
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REWIND
TRUE BLUEAre you ready to make an impact that goes beyond 9 - 5?
At Ledcor, we believe in the spirit of teamwork, community and giving back.
Join our True Blue team at Jobs.Ledcor.com
when landon schedler(above,Carpenter’10)heardlastfallthatmapleflooringfromtheNAITgymwasavailableforsalvage,hewasn’timmediatelyinterested.Itdidn’tfitwiththehigh-endfurnitureofOliverApt.,hisEdmontoncompanywithaninternationalclientele.Nordidhefeelapersonalconnection.“TheonlytimeIwasonthisfloorwaswhenIwaswritingthatfinalexameveryyear,”hesays.
Eventually,however,Schedlercouldn’tpassupthecreativechallengeandentrepreneurialopportunity.HeheadedtoSherwoodParkwhereMatt Bell,NAITStudents’Associationmarketingandcommunicationscoordinatoratthetime,haddirectedaboutadozenroughlytwo-by-two-metreslabs(afractionofthe1,100squaremetresreplacedlastsummer)tothegarageoffriendswhohadplannedtoremovetheoriginalcourtmarkingsandreusethem.“Itwasgoingtobemoreworkthanmybuddiesthought,”saysBell(Marketing’12).ThroughaconnectionwithoneofSchedler’scarpenters,thebuddiespassediton.
Knowingthevalueoftheflooringwasn’tthewood,Schedlertookanas-isapproachtorepurposingit.Otherwise,“you’denduplosing
thelinesandthat’sthewholecharacterofit,”nottomentionitsconnectiontoOoksheritagethatincludesthousandsofstudent-athletes.Atalocaloutdoormarket,hesoldabout10coffeetablesmadefromthestuffforbetween$150and$250each,buildingnewtieswithalocalcustomerbase.“There’sbeenagreatresponsefrompeoplewantingtoownapieceofhistory,”hesays.
AmongthemisLaura Tailleur(Marketing’09),apastOoksvolleyballsetterforwhomSchedlerembeddedmagnetsintoaroughly60-by-30-centimetrepieceofthefloortocreateabulletinboardforheroffice.“ThatwasactuallytheflooringthatIplayedon,”saysTailleur,whonowcoachesforaNAIT-ledlocalvolleyballdevelopmentclub.“ItrepresentsthefirstmajorgoalthatIhadinmylifethatIaccomplished.Playingvolleyballinpost-secondarywasreallyimportanttome.”
Now,Schedlerisrethinkinghisownappreciationofthematerial.“Ithinkafewtableswillendupmyway,”hesays.
“They’refunpieces.”
— Scott Messenger
Memories and new markets emerge from salvaged gym hardwood.
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At Ledcor, we believe in the spirit of teamwork, community and giving back.
Join our True Blue team at Jobs.Ledcor.com
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