techlifet e c h l i f e m a g . c a

v7.2 2014$4.95

people technology innovation

RiveR Rescue

ReseaRcheRs woRk to save the

stuRgeon wateRshednait’s impacton the economy p. 40

8 students’ association presidents reflect on the good old days

a look inside

the new heart of campus

Get ready for spring painting:

a primer

I’ve been at BP for just over a year in the Challenger program but I’ve already had a significant increase in my responsibilities and visibility within BP as a Risk Champion. There’s an extremely robust risk management process at BP. Each project manages their risks and finds solutions to mitigate each risk. It’s my responsibility to coordinate all of the risk

assessments and report these to senior Vice Presidents.

I attended a week-long workshop for Challengers in Houston. It was an eye-opening experience that showed me that we are just a small slice of a huge pie.

Kevin, Project Engineer, Canada

Discover BPAt BP, we offer the most exciting and challenging global opportunities for high performing graduates in engineering, science and business.

bp.com/grads/ca

facebook.com/bpcareers

I learned THAT

playing it safeplaying it safe can get you

noticed

#WeAreEssential

A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

nait.ca

Passionate about peat. Dr. Bin Xu is creating sustainable

solutions as Research Chair in Peatland Restoration at NAIT’s Boreal Research Institute in Peace River.

OUR SUCCESS IS ALBERTA’S SUCCESSNAIT delivers on its promises to students, industry partners and the province every day. Through

highly-qualified faculty and staff, NAIT students graduate with real skills, relevant knowledge and

quick entry into rewarding careers. It’s the kind of return on investment that positions one for life,

while contributing to a better future for the next generation and those to come.

As a leading polytechnic, NAIT’s hands-on, technology-based learning and applied research

solutions are well-known for advancing science, technology and environment; health; trades; and

business. We’re recognized at home and around the world. We are essential to Alberta and beyond.

table of contentstable of contents

techlife > contentson the cover26 a look inside the new heart

of campus

31 river rescue: researchers work to save the sturgeon watershed

38 Get ready for spring painting: a primer

40 nait’s impact on the economy

44 8 students’ association presidents reflect on the good old days

Innovate26 the new heart of nait

Anin-depthpreviewoftheinstitute’slargestcapitalprojectever

31 sos: save our sturgeonTwoinstructorsleadaPrairieriverrescue

38 colour codeEverythingyouneedtoknowaboutyournexthomepaintingproject

40 many happy returnsHowNAITisoneofthebestinvestmentsAlberta,andAlbertans,canmake

PeoPLe42 wheels in motion

FountainTire’sBrentHesjerollsintohisnewroleaschairoftheBoardofGovernors

44 powerful memories PastpresidentsoftheNAITStudents’Associationlookbackonpivotalmoments–

forthemandtheinstitute

49 operation fresh startWhenex-soldierKevinDunsfordembarkeduponthetransitiontocivilianlife,NAIThadhisback

cULInaIt54 chain reaction

PaulShufelt,corporatecheffortheCenturyHospitalityGroup,iscapitalizingonEdmonton’sloveofconsistencyandservingupasideofcreativity

59 recipePaulShufelt’spanko-crustedgoatcheesebites

dePartments6 the latest from

techlifemag.ca Yoursourceforexclusivecontent

7 contributors

8 editor’s note

9 feedbackFeelingtheloveonFacebook

11 connectionswiththe

presidentNAIT,theAlbertaeconomyandyou

13 technofileTechnology,innovation,news

22 ask an expertWorksmarter,worksafer

24 reading roomTalesfromtheblogosphere

25 3 QuestionsBreakintothearts

60 spaces NewdigsfortheNAIT

BorealResearchInstitute

62 5 ways to Get involved with naitGivebackinmorewaysthanone

63 Job descriptionAnAirdriepublisherhasissues

65 acclaimAward-winninggrads,staffandfriends

66 rewind50yearsoftheNugget

cover photo By BlaisevanMalsen

26 16

4 techlifemag.ca

54

18

6065

david adomako-ansah–RadioandTelevision’13(p.65)

Vernon Ball–PaintingandDecorating‘81,ComputerSystemsTechnology‘92(p.38)

roxanne Beaubien–Marketing’91(p.47)

Jonathan Bilodeau–Accounting’12(pp.30,44)

nathin Bye–CulinaryArts’02(p.65)

Jason carter–GraphicCommunications’01(p.25)

shant chakmakian–ComputerNetworkAdministration’05,NetworkEngineeringTechnology’11,BachelorofAppliedInformationSystemsTechnology’12(p.65)

todd cherniawsky–ArchitecturalTechnology’88(p.65)

hong chew–CulinaryArts‘92(p.18)

richard connery–ArchitecturalTechnology’75(p.29)

kees cusveller–ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’80(p.46)

kevin dunsford–BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’13(p.49)

rayanne forbes–RadioandTelevision’08(p.65)

Joan marie Galat–BiologicalSciencesTechnology’84(pp.25,65)

kyle Ginn–MillworkandCarpentry‘08,BusinessAdministration’13(p.65)

derek Goossen–ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’04(p.29)

ian Grant–PhotographicTechnology’80(p.65)

rebecca Grant–CulinaryArts’08,Management’13(p.65)

dustin Gruninger–HumanResourceManagement‘10,BusinessAdministration’12(p.65)

linda hoang–RadioandTelevision’11(p.24)

timothy Jobs–Management’11(p.48)

renée kohlman–CulinaryArts’99(p.24)

chris kourouniotis–InteriorDesignTechnology’94(p.58)

daryl kruper–Electrician’84(p.16)

stan kwong–ExplorationTechnology’72(p.46)

tony le–CulinaryArts’03(p.54)

Brittney le Blanc–RadioandTelevision’07(p.24)

Blair lebsack–Cook’00(p.65)

Glenn mason–Management’85,Marketing’86(p.46)

elaine mckay–DentalAssistingTechnology’86(p.65)

trevor morton–ArchitecturalTechnology’94(p.29)

Jacob pelletier–CulinaryArts’06(p.65)

Govind pillai–Accounting’09,BusinessAdministration’12(p.44)

ray pisani–Management’84,HonoraryBachelorofBusinessAdministration’13(p.13)

doug popowich–PlasticsEngineeringTechnology’96,Management’01(p.44)

michele ramberg–PhotographicTechnology’87(p.24)

carla rempel–InteriorDesignTechnology’08(p.26)

ken riess–Marketing’91(p.20)

don ritter–ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’79(p.25)

dale roth–PhotographicTechnology’87(p.24)

sherry shaw-froggatt–BusinessAdministration’85(p.63)

paul shufelt–Cook’01(p.54)

owen watkins–BiologicalSciencesTechnology’95(p.31)

laura watson–OccupationHealthandSafety’10(p.22)

debbie webb–BiologicalSciencesTechnology’82(p.31)

dave whalen -ConstructionEngineeringTechnology‘83(p.44)

terry whittingham–ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’99(p.65)

dexx williams–ComputerSystemsTechnology’04(pp.45,48)

phil wilson–PowerEngineeringTechnology’97(p.24)

aLUmnI featUred In thIs IssUe

v7.2 2014 5

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It’s politicalIsanalumonyourcitycouncil?Wetalktofoursuccessfulcandidatesfromthelatestroundofelections.

techlifemag.ca/2013-civic-elections.htm

See the lightDavidHenriquez(Electrician’04)hassomebrightideasonusinglightashomedecor.

techlifemag.ca/lighting-tips.htm

Tell us a storyJoanMarieGalat(BiologicalSciencesTechnology’84)combinesscienceandarttoproduceaward-winningwriting–andsharesthesecret.

techlifemag.ca/joan-marie-galat.htm

Cheese please!HowNAITisbecomingacentreofexcellenceforAlberta’semergingartisanalcheeseindustry.techlifemag.ca/artisanal-cheese.htm

Guitar rockKyleGinn(BusinessAdministration’13)isusinghiseducationtohittherightnotesinthemusicindustrywithhisband,OneDayLate.techlifemag.ca/one-day-late.htm

Finely choppedChefEricWood(CulinaryArts’99)explainshowhehonedhisskillsforanappearanceonChopped Canada.techlifemag.ca/eric-wood-chopped.htm

Put ’er thereButdoitright.JRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorKevenMcGhan(Finance’89)demonstratesaproperhandshake.techlifemag.ca/handshake.htm

The purr-fect appHowonealumtappedintoonlinecatculturetocreateahitweatherapp.techlifemag.ca/weather-kitty.htm

Street smartLearnhowtostaysaferontheroadbycheckingyourtiretreadwear.techlifemag.ca/tire-tread-wear.htm

Betweenprintissuesoftechlife,wepostnewstoriesattechlifemag.ca.Tostayintheknow–andregularlyreceivecontentincludingrecipesandhow-tostories–signupforoure-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.Here’sasample.

the latest from techlifemag.ca

contRibutoRs

techlifev7.2 2014

people technology innovationtechlifemag.ca

editor SherriKrastelmanaging and online editorScottMessengerart directorDerekLuedesignersDruDavids,RoryLee,AndyOviatt,TinaTomljenoviccopy editorRuthGrenvillecirculation managerNicoleRose(Marketing’08)advertising managerLynnRyancontributing writers ElizaBarlow,FionaBensler,GinaGariano,MichaelHingston,LindaHoang(RadioandTelevision’11),RuthJuliebo,FrankLandry,MichelleLindstrom(ArchitecturalTechnology‘97),KimMacDonald,OmarMouallemcontributing photographers JohnBook(PhotographicTechnology’87),LeighFrey(PhotographicTechnology’01),JeanetteSesay(PhotographicTechnology’10),BlaisevanMalsensubscriptionsSendchangesofaddresstocirculation@techlifemag.ca.

Signupforthetechlifemag.cae-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.freelance submissionsSendqueriestoeditor@techlifemag.ca.Wedonotacceptunsolicitedmanuscripts.letters to the editoreditor@techlifemag.caadvertising and circulation inquiriescirculation@techlifemag.ca

TechlifemagazineispublishedtwiceayearbyNAITMarketingandCommunications.Onlinefeaturesarepublishedregularlyattechlifemag.ca.OpinionsexpressedarenotnecessarilythoseofNAITortheeditorialteam.

TechlifeisaproudmemberoftheAlbertaMagazinePublishersAssociation,abidingbythenationalmagazineadvertising/editorialguidelines(albertamagazines.com).

PAGE f 13

Thirteenyearsago,tina tomljenovictradedinhersocialworkcareerforacreativefutureingraphicdesign.Sincethen,shehasworkedonawiderangeofprojectsincludinglogos,corporatepublications,campaigns,advertising,magazines,webdesignandanimation.

“Theinterestingthingisthatthereareparallelsbetweengraphicdesignandsocialwork–youcan’thelpsolveaproblemuntilyoufirstlistenverycarefullytoyourclient.”Inthisissueoftechlife,TomljenovichelpedreshapetheTechnofilesection.

PAGE f 18

WhilesheusuallyhidesbehindacomputerscreenasNAIT’sseniorwebwriter,oneofkim macdonald’sfavouritethingstodoisgetoutandtalktointerestingpeople.Overtheyears,she’sinterviewedpeoplefromallbackgrounds,fromstudentsandshopkeeperstoperformersandpoliticians.ButSpencerBeach’sstoryhasprobablymadethegreatestimpression.“ThatSpencersurvivedafirethatprobablyshouldhavekilledhimisamazingenough,”shesays.“Butwhathehasgoneontodosincethenisabsolutelyinspiring.”

PAGE f 54

omar mouallemisaNationalMagazineAwards-nominatedwriterandcriticallyacclaimedrapper,butmostpeopleknowhimastheguywhowroteabookaboutcatsbeforetheywerecool.HisstorieshaveappearedintheWalrus, enRouteandtheGlobe and Mail,andyoucanreadhisweeklycolumnsinMetroEdmonton.Inthisissue,hewroteaboutthesuccessofchefPaulShufeltoftheCenturyHospitalityGroup.Whennotpeckingathiskeyboard,MouallemisteachingprofessionalcommunicationsatGuruDigitalArtsCollege,mentoringchildrentowriteandraportrying(unsuccessfully)todresshiscatsinhoodies.Hetweetsat@omar_aok.

PAGE f 26, 54

andy oviattbegansketchinginGrade1–startingwithhousesandfishbowls,thenNinjaTurtlesandBatman,thenStar TrekandNikeAirshoes.Overtimeheturneditintoacareer,thelastsixofwhichhavebeeninpost-secondary,andatNAITsincelastAugust.Inthisissue,hedesignedthefeatureontheCentreforAppliedTechnologiesandCuliNAIT.Ashobbies,Oviattplaystheukuleleanddecoratescakes,buthisrealpassionandinspirationisinbeingahusbandtohissmokin’hotwifeandafathertohisamazingsonanddaughter.

v7.2 2014 7

editoR’s note

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could the work of two researchersleadtothetransformationofanecosystem?

LaurieHuntandDebbie Webb(BiologicalSciencesTechnology’82)thinkso.Theinstructorsbelievethat,despitetheharsheffectsofindustry,agricultureanddecadesofurbandevelopment,theycanhelprejuvenatetheshallow,pollutedSturgeonRiverenoughtobringthelegendarylakesturgeonandotherspeciesbacktoitswaters.They,alongwiththeirstudentsandresidentsofthewatershed,areconductingresearchandwadingin–literally–withgustotomakeithappen(p.31).

LikeWebbandHunt,anddozensofothersfeaturedinthisissue,ChefPaul Shufelthasbeenmakingadifferenceinhisownway–onedineratatime.Shufelt(Cook’01)hasbeenpartoftheCenturyHospitalityGroup’sgrowingimpactonEdmonton’sculinarysceneforadecade.Hisroleascorporatechefandmanagingpartnerhasshapedthelocalchainofdistinctrestaurants,includingtheParlour,withmenuscarefullycraftedtobebothcreativeandfamiliar(p.54).

MakingadifferenceinstudentlifehasbeenthemissionfortheNAITStudents’Associationfor50years(p.44).SinceitsfirstpresidentWilliam Miles(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’65),theassociation’s48leadershavebeendrawntotherolebecause,ascurrentpresidentJonathan Bilodeau(Accounting’12)says,he“wantedtohaveabiggerimpactonwhatwasgoingon.”

Whenitopensin2016,theCentreforAppliedTechnologiesislikelytobetheenvyofstudentgovernmentseverywhere.Thestudent-centricbuildingwillbethenewheartofcampusand,withabalanceoflearningandloungingspace,promisestomakeasubstantialimpactonthelivesofthe5,000studentswhowilluseit(p.26).

ThecentreisjustoneprojecttheCEOofFountainTire,Brent Hesje,islookingforwardtoseeingtocompletioninhisnewroleasthechairoftheNAITBoardofGovernors.He’salsodeterminedtocontinuedevelopingthecampustomeettheneedforgrowth(p.42).

AreportontheannualeconomicimpactofNAITexaminestheannualcontributionofthepolytechnicandfindsNAITtobeoneofthebestinvestmentsaround(p.40).Notsurprising,consideringouralumnihavebeencontributingtoeveryfacetoftheprovincesince1963,beittheenvironment,foodandcultureorimprovingthelivesofindividuals.

SherriKrastelEditoreditor@techlifemag.ca

techlife awarded

council for the advancement and support

of education, district Viii

Gold,WritingCityofTomorrow,V6.2

Silver,WritingStrangeBrews,V6.2

“our Alumni hAvE bEEn contributing to every facet of the province

since 1963, bE it thE EnvironmEnt, food And

culturE or imProvinG thE livEs of individuAls.”

8 techlifemag.ca

wallis wong(randomlyselectedwinner)–IchoseNAITbecauseitofferedtheprogramsIwantedplussmallclasssizesandrealworldexperiencefrominstructorswhoknowtheirstuff.AlltheknowledgeandskillsIgain,Icanuseoutinindustry.

why nait?Why did you choose #nait? that’s the question we asked students, prospective students, alumni and staff via facebook in a contest prior to open house last october. Up for grabs: a $100 naIt gift card. thirty-two comments later, the responses show just how valuable a naIt education can be. here are a few:

SHOW YOUR NAIT PRIDERetail Services’ wide assortment of

NAIT- imprinted products gives you many

ways to keep the pride alive. From accessories

to comfy leisure wear, we’ve got a selection

that will delight.

WE MAKE SHOPPING EASY:Visit the NAIT Bookstore: Room X114, Main Campus Phone: 780.491.3104Email: mailorders@nait.caOnline: onlinestore.nait.ca

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

You can also reach us by email at editor@techlifemag.ca and mail:

SherriKrastel,Editortechlifemagazine11762–106St.N.W.Edmonton,ABT5G2R1

connect with nait at facebook.com/nait

feedback

tracy Boutilier–IjustgraduatedfromNAITandIlovedthehandsonrealworldexperiencethatyouget!IgraduatedwithaculinaryartscertificateandadiplomainbusinessadministrationaccountingandIhadajobbeforeIevenfinishedmyfinals!ThankyouNAITforalltheexperienceandlifeskillsIgained!!

haley Benner–IchoseNAITbecauseitenabledmetofollowmydreamsandpassionsinlife.Ihavelearnedsomuchfrommytimebeinghereandmetsomeofthemostincredibleindividuals.Ithasbeenagreatlearningandlifeexperience.

maddy olthof –Ichose#NAITbecauseofthesmallclasssizesandtheexcellentsupportfrommyteachersandpeers.NAIThasthebestRespiratoryTherapyprogramwithhandsonexperience,andbecauseofthefunIhaveeverydaywakinguptogodowhatIlove!

v7.2 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

Stay current with the lateSt technologieS

Please visit nait.ca/ctc for the most current information and listing of all computer training certificates and courses.

10 techlifemag.ca

connections with the PResident

nait is constantly measuring progresstowardourvision,includingourpromisestoAlberta,tostudents,industrypartnersandstaff.SurveysbyourdepartmentofInstitutionalResearch,forexample,tellusthatgraduatesatisfactionrateswiththerelevancyofcoursesconsistentlyexceed95percent,asdoemployersatisfactionrateswithgradperformance.

Wenowhaveanotherreliablesourceofcompellinginformationthattellsourremarkablestory.TheEconomicImpactReportreflectstheessentialrolewehaveinAlbertaandshowsthereisnobetterinvestment,forAlbertaandourstudents,thaninNAIT.

ForeverydollargovernmentinvestsinNAIT,ourgraduatesprovideanaverageannualreturnof30percentfromtaxrevenuesthroughhigherwages.Foreverydollaroneofourgraduatesinvestsintuition,theannualreturnoninvestmentis29percent.

OurgradshaveoutstandingcareersrighthereinAlberta–91percentstayintheprovinceand98percentofthoseareinthelabourforce.

no bEttEr investment

NAIT’sannualspendingandeconomicimpactinAlbertaforfiscal2011-12wasmorethan$1.5billion.There’smoreaboutthereportonpage40.

ThenumbersverifywhatIobserveeveryday.Thisisanamazinginstitutionwithanincrediblybrightfuture.Asouralumnifamilygrows–yetstaysconnected–ourstrongfoundationsimplygetsstronger.NAITtrulyisessential.

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GlennFeltham,PhDPresidentandCEOglennf@nait.ca

v7.2 2014 11

Investing intomorrow’sbig ideas.

New ideas. New approaches. cenovus.com

We believe investing in education helps ensure a vibrant, dynamic future

for the communities where we live and work. Here’s to striving to be the

best we can be. Cenovus Energy. A Canadian oil company.

AlGAE & AlchEmy

AlGAE & AlchEmycan a plant-like microorganism turn waste into profit?

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technofile

alternative energy technology students Logan Dobler and trevor Diduck are studying optimal growth conditions for algae.

the algae photobioreactor, located at nait’s centre for sustainable energy technology, can control variables including light, temperature and co2.

NAIT – Alternative Energy Technology instructor Doug McFarlane is guiding

students Trevor Diduck and Logan Dobler through their second-year capstone project.

Microalgae – a single-celled, plant-like organism that can

convert sunlight into food energy.

Food – light, CO2, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – the ideal amounts for algae

growth being determined, along with the best temperature, by Diduck and Dobler. “In general, what you learn at the bench

scale can be applied to a larger scale,” says McFarlane.

University of Alberta – staff and students working with chemical engineering professor Dr. William McCaffrey are studying

the potential for algae mass production at Hairy Hill.

Industry – Algae Grow and Harvest Technologies is leading the development of the algae biomass project for Growing

Power. While the university helped secure patents for aspects of growth and scale-up,

“NAIT is great at prototyping and bringing things to practice,” says AGHT general

manager Trevor Nickel.

Funding – the Helmholtz-Alberta Initiative, a partnership between German researchers and the University of Alberta, is supporting

NAIT’s project through McCaffrey’s lab.

In oUtMore algae – algae biomass could be used to make high-value products including pigments and protein for animal feed.

Biodiesel – algae can also be made into biodiesel, potentially improving Alberta’s environmental sustainability. “You can keep petroleum in the ground because you are displacing that petroleum with biodiesel,” says McFarlane.

Skills and jobs – “You can’t develop an industry if you don’t have people to support it,” says McCaffrey. In addition to providing the proof of concept needed to advance the field of research, projects like this produce experienced personnel.

Global impact – through the Hemholtz-Alberta Initiative, aspects of this research will be shared, allowing similar projects to succeed around the world.

Broader perspectives – Dobler doesn’t see energy produced by this project as being in conflict with the fossil fuel industry; rather, it complements. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to work with them to bring in new economic solutions that are sustainable.”

they’re notturningleadintogoldbuttheideaissimilar.Eachyear,theGrowingPowerethanolbiorefineryinHairyHill,130kilometreseastofEdmonton,usesmorethan70,000tonnesofresidentialorganicwastetofuelproductionofroughly40millionlitresofethanol,afueladditivethatcanoffsetgasolinedemand.Now,thecompanywantstogoonefurther,andtransformitsownwaste–mainlycarbondioxide,heatandfertilizer–intoprofit.Algaemayholdtheanswer.NAIT,inajointprojectwiththeUniversityofAlberta,investigatestheinsandoutsofbiomassproduction.

— Scott Messenger

14 techlifemag.ca

PedaL PoWereva elder’s legsdon’talwayssupporther.Bornwithcerebralpalsy,the13-year-oldwouldoftenfallandhaddifficultywalkingandrunningbeforesheunderwentsurgerylastNovember.

Today,aspartofherpost-oprecovery,herlegsarepoweringago-kartontheWiivideogame,Mario Kart.

She’sdoingthisbypedallingarecumbentbikedesignedandbuiltbyBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentsforcliniciansatEdmonton’sGlenroseRehabilitationHospital.It’sthelatestprojecttocomefromalongpartnershipbetweenNAITandthehospitaltodeveloptoolsandtechnologiestoimprovepatients’lives.

Essentially,thebikeishergamecontroller.Pedallingforwardaccelerateshergo-kart;pedallingbackwardputsitinreverse.Thebikeisalsofittedwithasteeringwheel.

ForpatientslikeElder,thetrainingimprovescardiovascularenduranceandstrengthensthelegsandcoremuscles.Therapistswillusethebikewithpatientsofallagesandconditions,includingthoserecuperatingfromstroke,traumaorbraininjury.

“Thefunfactorissoimportantintherapy,”saysphysicaltherapistJessicaHung.“Evaishavingsuchagoodtimethatshedoesn’tevenrealizehowhardshe’sbeenworkingandforhowlong.”

ToElder,though,successisn’tmeasuredbyhowlongshepedals,orevenhowmanypointssheracksuponMario Kart.“Ijustwanttoruninthebackyardwithmydogs.”

— Ruth Juliebo

overheard at the stUdent centrethis year,theInternationalStudentCentrehelpedmorethan1,600studentsfrommorethan80countriesovercomeoneoftheirbiggestchallenges:cultureshock.Thisissomeoftheadvicestaffshared.

1 Try to speak English and make friends from various cultures

2 Disagreeing with other students in class is common, not rude

3 Eye contact is important

4 Students are permitted to chew gum and eat in class

5 Canadians like personal space and stand about one arm’s length from each other

6 Canadians value punctuality and politeness

7 Learn how to use the bus system

8 And, as one international student suggests, carry a toque with you at all times!

— Gina Gariano

bachelor of technology student george Zhu guides eva elder through the first ride on the virtual bike.

sUn seekersnorthern albertaoftengetsabadrapforbeingacold,darkplace.That’sbecause–fromNovembertoMarch–it’srelativelytrue.WhatthatmeanstosolarpowergenerationisbeinginvestigatedbytheCityofGrandePrairieandNAIT(backedbyfundingfromAlbertaInnovatesTechnologyFuturesandtheAlbertaRealEstateFoundation).

Atopcityhall,sixpairsofsouth-facingphotovoltaicmodulesareangledfromverticaltonearlyhorizontal.Forfiveyears,oneofeachpairwillbeclearedofsnow(GrandePrairieaveragesmorethan1.5metresannually)tomeasurewinter’simpactongenerationandthepotentialofsolartechnologyinthecity.

“Ourcouncilhasenvironmentalresponsibilityasoneoftheircorevalues,”saysGrandePrairieenvironmentalstewardshipmanagerMichelleGairdner.“Wetrytoseeifthere’saway

wecanbeenvironmentallyresponsible.Thismayrepresentaway.”

ResultsofitssisterprojectinEdmonton(averageannualsnowfall:1.2metres)maybeencouraging.SincethesystemwasinstalledinApril2012,generationbytheunclearedsideofthesixmoduleswasnearly97percentoftheclearedside.

Perhapstheabundantfeedstockwillmakeupthedifference.LikeEdmonton,GrandePrairie(460kilometresnorthwest)isamongCanada’ssunniestcities.Thattranslatesintothepotential,noteresearchersDr.JimSandercockandTimMatthewsofNAIT’sAlternativeEnergyTechnologyprogram,togeneratenearlyasmuchpowerasBuenosAires,Argentina–where,since1918,ithassnowedtwice.

— S.M.

web extraWatchEvaEldertestthevirtualbikeatnait.ca/bikeandlearnaboutotherprojectsofNAITandtheGlenroseRehabilitationHopsitalattechlifemag.ca/glenrose-hospital.htm.P

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technofile

WeLcome aboard “one of nait’s competitiveadvantages...isthemakeupofourBoardofGovernors,”sayspresidentandCEODr.GlennFeltham.Its18members–drawnfromthecommunity,staffandstudents–are“trulyleadersintheirfields.”

Infall2013,threenewindustrymembersjoinedtheboardundertheleadershipofchairBrentHesje,CEOofFountainTireLtd.,tooverseethemanagementoftheinstitute.Duringthree-year,renewableterms,members’responsibilitiescanincludeappointingthepresident,establishingadmissionrequirementsanddeterminingtuitionfees,aswellasbankingoversight,investmentsandborrowing.

AppointedbythelieutenantgovernorandministerofInnovationandAdvancedEducation,theseareournewestmembers.

Andy ClArk (Honorary Bachelor of Business Administration ’12)

Executive chairman of Clark Builders; Clark founded the company in 1974 and served as CEO until 2011

dAryl kruper (Electrician ’84)

CEO of the Simmax Group of Companies

rAy pisAni (Management ’84, Honorary Bachelor of Business Administration ’13)

President and CEO of

Alberta Blue Cross

— Frank Landry

moviE mAGicnait’s newestfilmstudioisraisingthequalityofworkproducedbyDigitalMediaandInformationTechnologystudentswhileservingasavaluableresourceforthelocalfilmindustry.LocatedseveralblocksfromMainCampus,thestudioisoneofthefewinWesternCanadawithathree-walledbackdrop(orcyclorama)that,whenlitwitha12-by-12-metreLEDlightinggrid,cancreatetheillusionofaninfinitebackground,suchasabluesky.

“It’sareallyvitalpiece,”saysDMITinstructorDouglasBerquist,whowasthecatalystforestablishingthestudio.“Youcan’tteachcinematography,film,motionpictureandcinemaartsinaclassroom.”

Thestudio,whichwasbuiltforNAITatnochargelastfallbyMarcsonHomesLtd.,alsoincreasesavailablelocalstudiospaceforfilmproductioncompanies.Studentsareencouragedtogainwork

fiRst sshRcnait receiveditsfirstSocialSciencesandHumanitiesResearchCouncilgrantlastyear.Of2,183applicants,theinstitutewasamongthe21percentfunded.The$173,000grant,earnedbyDr.NeilFassina,provostandvice-presidentacademic,andDr.KristaUggerslev,appliedresearchchairinleadershipandtalent,willfundresearchprojectsintalentmanagement,leadershipanddecisionmaking.

— Fiona Bensler

fiRst

16 techlifemag.ca

more skILLs, better smILesin responsetoindustrydemandforbroaderskillsets,NAITwillofferAlberta’sfirsttwo-yearDentalAssistingTechnologydiplomathisfall.

Theprogramreplacestheone-yearcertificateandcoverstopicspreviouslyofferedonlythroughexpensivepost-graduatetrainingelsewhere.Studentswillnowgraduatewithexperienceinorthodonticsandlimitedscaling,whichinvolvesremovingharddepositsfromtheteethofadolescents,inadditiontotoothpolishingandfluorideapplication.

Thechangewillallowdentalassistantstoperformmoretasks,particularlywithyoungpatients,freeingupdentistsandhygieniststofocusonmoreadvancedtreatments.Currently,morethan97percentofassistantsareemployedwithinayearofgraduation.

— F.L.

bUILdIng momentUmthis january,Dr.ChrisDambrowitzbecameNAIT’snewassociatevice-presidentofresearchandinnovation.Dambrowitzmanagesthedevelopmentofprojectsinwhichstudentsandstaffworkdirectlywithindustrytofindreal-worldsolutionstochallenges.

NAIThasseensignificantgrowthinitsappliedresearchcapacitysince2007,whentheGovernmentofAlbertagavecollegesandpolytechnicsthemandatetoengageinappliedresearch.Dambrowitzseeshisroleasbuildingonthatmomentum.

RecentsuccessstoriesincludethedevelopmentoftreatmenttoolsandtechnologiesfortheGlenroseRehabilitationHospital.NAITresearchersarealsoexaminingthepotentialofgreenroofsintheEdmontonarea.Recently,aculinaryinstructorinvestigatedtheproductionandcommercializationofalineofheat-and-servepulse-basedentrees.

“Theopportunitiesarejustremarkable,”Dambrowitzsays.

NAITrecentlyplacedsecondinanannualrankingofCanada’sTop50researchcolleges,movingupfromfourthplace,afterattractingresearchincomeof$6.3millionin2012.

DambrowitzwaspreviouslydirectorofstrategicinitiativesattheBiorefiningConversionNetworkattheUniversityofAlberta.Hehasadoctorateinmolecularbiologyandgenetics.

— F.L.

experiencebyparticipatingoncrews.“Itopensupopportunities,”Berquistsays.

Alongwithfilmstudents,thoseinanimation,motioncaptureandvideogamedesignalsousethespace.“Weactuallyhaveanestablishedspacetowork,”saysstudentTylerWeatherall,whoworkedonashortfilminthenewstudiolastfall.“We’renotjustrunningaroundthehallswithcameras.”

— Linda Hoang

the studio is one of the few

in Western canada that

can create the illusion

of an infinite background.

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technofile

hErb(An) GArdEninG

“We can harvest right before using it.”–HONGCHEW,CULINARYARTSINSTRUCTOR

PartIcLe PoLLUtIonas semiconductors–thefoundationofmodernelectronics–getsmallerandsmaller,manufacturersarefacedwithaproblem:howtodetectforeignnano-particleswhichcanrenderthemuseless.Alaser-baseddevicedevelopedbyAlbertaNano-MonitoringSystems(ANMS)Ltd.,withassistancefromNAIT,maybethesolution.

Thenano-particleanalyzercandetectparticlesassmallas20nanometresinrealtime–afirstintheworldofnanoscience.

Howsmallis20nanometres?Incomparison,asheetofpaperisabout100,000nanometresthick.

“Everythingisgettingsmallerandsmallerandfinerandfiner,”saysOlleLagerquist,managerofNAIT’sNanotechnologyCentreforAppliedResearch,TrainingandServices.“Asthesemiconductorindustrygetsdowntofinerproducts,these20-nanometreparticleshavebecomeaproblemandtheyhaven’thadasolutionbecausetheyhaven’tbeenabletodetectthem.”

ANMS,aclientofNAIT’sbusinessincubator,theDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation,cametotheinstitutewithaconceptandinitialprototype,whichwasfurtherdevelopedbyNAITresearchersandtechnologistswithfundingfromAlbertaInnovatesTechnologyFutures.

“It’ssuchanexoticcapability,”saysLagerquist.Whileresearcherscontinuetoimproveupontheproduct,the

ultimategoaliscommercialization,whichmaynotbefaroff.Industry,includingoilsandsoperatorsthatcoulduseittoenhancebitumenextractionprocesses,hasshowninterest.

— Frank Landry

hong chew(CulinaryArts‘92)haslongwantedawaytobringfresh,trulylocalgreensintoNAIT’sfoodlabs.Lackinggardenspace,hefoundasolutionatachef’sconferencein2011,whenhemetthecreatoroftheUrbanCultivator,acommercial-gradehydroponicgreenhouse.

Today,studentsandstaffintheHokansonCentreforCulinaryArtscookwithherbsandmicro-greensgrownyear-roundinarecentlypurchasedunit.

Theindoorgreenhouse,whichresemblesadouble-widecooler,producesnearlyhalfakilogramoforganicgreensfromseed–includingpeashoots,radishgreens,basil,amaranth,cilantro

andkale–everytwotothreeweeks.AlongwithChew,studentstakecareofplanting,fertilizingandharvesting.Lightandwaterarecontrolledautomatically.

Thegreenhouseoffersseveralbenefits.Ituseslessthanhalftheamountofenergyofahouseholdrefrigeratorandreducesthecarbonfootprintthatcomeswithshipping.Italsooffsetssupplycosts,particularlyforhigh-priceditemssuchasamaranth,alimitedproductionseedusedinbreads.

Itsgreatestbenefit,however,maybeflavourandfreshness.“Wecanharvestrightbeforeusingit,”Chewsays.

— Fiona Bensler

hong chew takes locally sourced produce to an extreme.

one million nanometres = one millimetre

v7.2 2014 19

a sUrvIvor’s storyspencer beachisatNAITtotalktofirst-yearapprenticesabouttheworkplacefirethatdisfiguredandnearlykilledhim.Beforestartinghisstory,hetellstheapprenticeshowluckytheyaretohavepeopleshowconcernfortheirsafety.“Ineverhadthat,”saysBeach,aformerfloorlayer.

OnApril24,2003,ajobsitechemicalcausedanexplosionthatleftBeach,then29,withthird-andfourth-degreeburnson90percentofhisbodyandafivepercentchanceofsurvival.Hiswifewasfourmonthspregnant.

Engulfedinflames,“IrealizedjusthowmuchIhadworthprotecting,andhowmuchIfailedtoprotect,”Beachremembers.“IrealizedtheburdenIhadputonmywife.”

ThisistheprimaryvalueofBeach’smessagetoapprentices,saysMalcolmHaines,actingdeanofNAIT’sSchoolofTrades.“It’snotjustyouthat’saffectedbyanaccidentlikethis,whetherit’sathomeoratwork.Itpotentiallycaninvolveyourentirefamily,circleoffriends,andahostofotherpeople.”

HealsonotesBeachtakesresponsibilityforhisownroleincausingthefire–includingnotsayingnotowhatheknewwasdangerouswork.

ThemessageissopowerfulthattheSchoolofTradesnowhasBeachspeakfivetimesayear,reachingmorethan3,500apprentices.Andhe’sgettingthrough.Theresultsofarecentaudiencesurveyareoverwhelminglypositive,withmanystudentsvowingtochangetheirapproachtosafety–bothinandoutoftheworkplace.

— Kim MacDonald

WorkIng LIke a dog it’s a “ruff”jobbutsomeone’sgottodoit.Flynn,anAustralianLabradoodle,isNAIT’snewassistedtherapydog-in-training.SinceSeptember2013,FlynnhasworkedintheMainCampushealthservicesoffice,wherestaffandstudentscandropintoseehim,orcatchhimroamingthehallswithLindaShaw,hisownerandtraineraswellasaregisterednurseandhealthservicessupervisor.Healsodoesclassroomvisitsandmaysoonhaveatherapeuticroleatthecounsellingcentre.

“Peoplecomeandsit,pethimandyoucanalmostseethechangeintheirfaces,”Shawsays.

SheseesFlynnasonepieceofthementalhealthandwellnesspuzzleatNAIT.Researchsuggestsanimal-assistedtherapyimprovesself-esteemandmood,reducesanxietyandstress,andprovidesphysicalcomfort.Here’showFlynnqualifiesfortheroleofAmbassadorofPaws-itivity.

— Linda Hoang

spencer beach talks safety with nait apprentices.

Flynn the dogd.o.B:April9,2013hometown:Blackie,Albertacurrent address:SouthEdmontonemployment history:NAITcareer objective:Relievestressandcalmstudentsandstaff

education

CertifiedbyChimoAnimalAssistedTherapy,anEdmonton-basedorganizationthathelpsdevelop,planandimplementanimal-assistedtherapyprograms

Clickertraining–training(forsitting,staying,etc.)bypositivereinforcement.Aclickisassociatedwithanactionthenareward

Desensitizationtraining–training,alsousingrewards,toreactpositivelytotriggersthatwouldnormallycausefearoranxiety

Successfulpuppytemperamentassessment

• Calming,relaxingandde-stressingclients

• Approachable

• Outgoing,dedicatedandconfident

• Workswellingrouporindividualsettings

LANGUAGES

• Signlanguage

• English

• Polish

skills

personal interests

• People

• Chasingballs

• Catchingballs

• Playinginsnow

• Sleeping

• Eating.Favouritefoods:dehydratedliver,beefbrothicecubes,peanutbutter,bananas,applesandcarrots

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last fall, SpiraFootwearfounderandCEOAndyKrafsurputthereputationofhiscompanyinthehandsofDr. Ken Riess(Marketing’91),instructorandresearcherwiththePersonalFitnessTrainerprogram.WhenRiessmettheTexas-basedrunningshoemakeratthe2013BostonMarathon,hewasintriguedbythespringsystemembeddedinthesoles–andbyKrafsur’sclaimthatitcouldcut10minutesoffracetime.

Atfirst,Riesssays,“Ithought,‘Ah,it’sagimmick.’”Beinga“gadgetfreak,”heboughtapairanyway.WhenhereturnedtotheNAITphysiologylab,hedecided–withKrafsur’sblessing–toputtheclaimtothetest.

“Inthisindustry,there’satonofgarbageonthemarket,”saysRiess.“Howdoweknowitworks?”

Method1:Theroadtest.Riessconsistentlytookaminuteoffhis10KtimewithSpirashoes.Method2:Thenumbercrunch.Theresearcherrecruited17runners(includingthiswriter)tocomparetreadmillperformanceoftwoSpiramodels,onefortrainingandtheotherforracing,totheirownshoes.Riesslookedatheartrateandoxygenconsumptionatapaceof11kilometresperhourtodeterminehowmuchenergyrunnersspentrunningineachshoe.Thenhewasquitesurprised.

“Ifwe’relookingatshavingsecondsoffour10Ktimeorminutesoffourmarathon,thismaybeawaytodoit,”saysRiess.

it took JRShawfouryearstogetacableTVlicencefromtheCRTC.HisperseverancepaidoffwhenheconnectedhisfirstcustomerinSherwoodParkin1971.Now,40-oddyearslater,ShawCommunicationsInc.hasmorethan14,000employeesandmorethanthreemillioncustomers.

Shaw’slonghistorywithNAITbeganin1990whenheservedtwotermsaschairoftheBoardofGovernors.In1997,hewasnamedaDistinguishedFriendoftheInstituteandreceivedanHonoraryDiplomainBusinessAdministrationin2007.Thesameyear,thebusinessschoolwasnamedinhishonour.

ShawwasoncampusinNovemberasthefirstspeakerintheMotivate@NAIT–LeadershipintheRealWorldseries,sponsoredbytheCharteredProfessionalAccountants.There,hefieldedquestionsfrombusinessstudentsabouteverythingfromwhatmakesagoodleadertohowhebalancesworkandfamilywithhiswifeof57years,Carol.

HerearesomeofJRShaw’snuggetsofwisdom.

— Ruth Juliebo

advIce from Jr

sPrIng In yoUr

steP

spira running shoes feature a patented spring technology in the sole.

20 techlifemag.ca

2 41

you set the example.Peoplearewatchingyou.Ifyouleaveearlytogogolfing,they’regoingtoleaveearlytogogolfing.

i married carolin1956.Ithasn’talwaysbeeneasyforeitheroneofus,butwhateverhashappenedwe’vestuckitout.Dothethingsthatneedtobedone.Makesurethathomelifeissolidbecausethat’swhereeverythingstarts,that’sthefundamentalpartofoursociety.

the biggest probleminleadingisthatpeoplethinkknowledgeispower–ifIkeeptheknowledgetomyself,I’vegotallthepower.Thatisabsolutelywrong.Themoreinformationyoushare,themorepoweryouget.

you can’t hear whenyou’retalkingallthetime.Youneedtolistentoeveryoneelsearoundyou.ThatisnotthebestqualitythatIhave...butIworkatit.

3

toP 65 Forthethirdconsecutiveyear,NAIT wasrecognizedasabestworkplaceintheAlberta’sTopEmployerscompetition.Sixty-fiveorganizationsmadethecut,withNAITbeingsingledoutforitsno-costfitnessfacilities,professionaldevelopmentopportunitiesandsupportforwork-lifebalance.

— NAIT staff

HisresultssuggestSpira(whichprovidedshoesforthestudybutnofunding)mightbeapathwaytoapersonalbest.Runnersusingbothmodelsshowedlowerheartratesandoxygenconsumptionwhichcouldmeanlessfatigue,fasterspeedsorboth.

“Idon’tthinkanythingisgoingtobeasilverbullet,”saysRiess,cautioningthateveryonewillresponddifferentlytotheshoes(I,forexample,sawnoimprovementintheracerandamodestgaininthetrainer,comparedtomyusualrunners).Byhiscalculations,however,theaveragemarathonercouldfinishfourminutesquicker.

TheresultsmadeKrafsurfeellikeawinnernonetheless.“Wewouldn’tbeinbusinessifitweren’tforthistechnology,”hesaysofSpira’ssprings.Now,headds,“Wecantakethisdataanddemonstratetothemarketplace,herearethetangiblebenefits.”

Fortheaveragerunner,springswon’tmeanafirst-placefinish.Theymay,however,beasteptowardthenextbestthing.Askmostrunners,andthey’llsayimprovementisitsown,oftenhard-won,reward.Comeraceday,“thecompetitionisn’treallyagainstotherpeople,”saysKrafsur.“It’sagainstyourself.”

— Scott Messenger

“ At first, i thought, ‘Ah, it’s a gimmick.’”

–DR.KENRIESSINSTRUCTORANDRESEARCHER

the best leadership advice[Ireceived]wastobehumble.You’vegottobesincere.You’vegottobekind.You’vegottorelate.Youneedtohaverelationships.

5 6

i do know the harderyouworktheluckieryouget.And,maybe[you]havetoworkatthemarriageandyougetmorelucky.Thatreallydidn’tcomeoutright.web extra

Visitnait.ca/jrshawtolearnmoreaboutthelifeofJRShaw.

v7.2 2014 21

ask an eXPeRt

last february,ConnieArmstrong,aveteranlong-distancerunner,developedpaininherhipswhensheran.Sittingatherdeskforeighthoursadaymadeitworse.Withadvicefromherdoctors,theprogramassistantfortheAutomotiveServicesandPartsTechnicianprogramsbeganexperimenting.Shesetherchairasideandputhercomputeronastackofboxes.Standingeasedherdiscomfort.Allsheneedednowwasapermanentsolution.

NAITOccupationalHealthandSafetyconsultantLaura Watson(OccupationHealthandSafety’10),alongwithCapitalProjectsthathelpedsourceequipment,hadtheanswer–astandingworkstation.

“Now,Ispend90percentofmydaystanding,”Armstrongsays.ForWatson,supportingArmstrong’suniqueneedsfellinlinewith

herpassionforpromotingergonomics–thescienceofdesigningthejobtofittheworker.Therearebenefitsforemployersandemployees:increasedefficiency,comfortandsafety.Here,Watsonexplainswhatyouneedtobuildabetterworkplace–beitinfrontofacomputerscreen,ataconstructionsite,oranyplacebetween–andtospendyourdaysproductivelyandpainlessly.

— Michelle Lindstrom

Work smarter by working safer

proDuctive anD

Painless

Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/chair-adjustment.htmtolearnhowtosetupyourofficechair.

22 techlifemag.ca

how injuries happen“Ergonomicsencompasseveryindustry,”Watsonsays.Injuriescanhappeninanyjobinunexpectedways.

Manycomefromprolongedawkwardbodypositions.Retailworkersmaybeontheirfeetallday;framersmightworkwiththeirhandsabovetheirheads,hammering;dentalhygienistsmaykeeptheirnecksbentastheypeerintopatients’mouths.Inanyprofession,liftingobjectstoofarfromthebodycancausebackstrain.

Ineachcase,theactionscanseemharmlessatthetime.

what to expect of a job siteHealthandsafetyatworkistheresponsibilityofboththeemployerandemployee,likeArmstrong,whoproposedasolutiontoherownproblem.Alberta’sOccupationalHealthandSafety(OHS)Actlegislatessomecomponentsthatrelatetoworkplaceergonomics.Forexample,toolsandequipmentmustbesafetouseandpropertrainingmustbeprovided.

WatsonsuggestsemployeeswhoworkforanorganizationwithoutanoccupationalhealthandsafetydepartmentrefertoWorkSafeAlberta,aninitiativeoftheGovernmentofAlbertaintendedtohelpindustryreducework-relatedinjuriesandillness.Inadditiontoofferingtipsoneverythingfrompreventinglowerbackpaintoselectingtheappropriatehandtools,ithandlescomplaintsaboutunsafeworkingconditions.Inallcases,saysWatson,employeeshavetherighttoaskformoretrainingorforworkingconditionstoalignwiththeOHSAct.

prevention“Alotofpeopleunknowinglypracticeergonomics,”Watsonsays.Manyalreadyliftwiththeirlegsratherthanbacks.Few,however,mayknowthebenefitsof“micro-breaks.”

Every20minutesorso,workersshouldchangepositions,stepawayfromarepetitivetaskandstretch,orchangetaskscompletely.Theyshouldalsofollowtheleadofhealth-consciousco-workers.ArmstrongstackedtheboxesaftershesawanotheradjustablestandingworkstationatNAIT.Shealsousedananti-fatiguemattotakethepressureoffherfeetwhilestanding.

ergonomics at homeThere’snoneedtoleavecomfortandsafetyattheworkplace.Ananti-fatiguemat,oranynon-slipmat,worksjustaswellinthekitchen.Anergonomicsnowshovel–lightweightwithacurvedoradjustablehandle–reducesthestrainandarchofyourbackwhileclearingyoursidewalk.Andmicro-breaksarewellsuitedtogardeningseason,whichtypicallycallsforanunusualamountofhunched,repetitivework.

“Ifpeoplepracticeergonomicsintheirpersonallife,theirpotentialforinjuryisalotlower,”saysWatson,“andtheycancontinuetoengageinactivitiestheyenjoy.”

Armstrongisproof.Inadditiontohelpfromaphysiotherapist,herstandingworkstationhasmaderunning

“virtuallypainfree,”shesays,enablinghertocompeteintheNewYorkCityMarathonandqualifyfortheBostonMarathon.

“I’veneverfeltsogood.”

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Reading Room

ThE SPEEd daTEr

9:33 am

5 grads embrace blogging to opine online.the word “blog”oncehadafairlyrigiddefinition–essentially,akindofinformalpublicdiaryor“weblog.”Notanymore.Thesedays,thebloghasprovenitselftobeanextremelyversatilemediumforself-publishing,withallkindsofformatsandaudiencesavailabletoyou.

Don’ttakeourwordforit.Whethertoaccenttheirprofessionallives,findanoutletforanewpassionorhobby,orjusttohavesomefun,herearefivegradswho’vetakentheblogformatandmadeittheirown.

— Michael Hingston

Phil Wilson(PowerEngineeringTechnology’97)billshimselfasabelieverinthefourmajorfoodgroups:“pork,gravy,meltedcheeseandalcohol.”Andthat’sexactlywhatthiscomfort-foodaficionadodeliversonhisblogBaconhound(baconhound.com).Wilson’sformat–amixofrestaurantreviews,recipesandguestposts–isstandard,whilehismaterialisnot.He’smorelikelytowriteaboutthelatestfoodtruckoroff-beatburgerjointthananyplaceanglingforaMichelinstar.

Ontheothersideofthefoodblogspectrumissweetsugarbean.com,runbyprofessionalchefRenée Kohlman(CulinaryArts’99).Sweetsugarbeancombinescrispphotographyandfrom-scratchrecipesthatareaslocalandorganicaspossible–manyofwhoseingredientscomefromKohlman’sowngarden.Hertasteisadventurousandalwayseclectic,whichexplainswhytheNational PostnamedheroneofCanada’sbestfoodbloggersin2012.

Linda Hoang(RadioandTelevision’11)hasalwaysputdigitalmediaatthefrontandcentreofherwork:asaformerdigitalreporterandsocialmediacolumnist,andonherTwitteraccount,whichhasnotchedmorethan50,000tweetsandmorethan6,000followers.InadditiontomanagingNAIT’svarioussocialmediaproperties,HoangmaintainsherownInternetpresenceatlinda-hoang.com.ThewebsiteisastreamofupbeatrecapsofeventsaroundEdmonton,aswellasroundupsofwhateversocialmediaandfood-scenenewshascaughtHoang’seyethatweek.

Ifvarietyisthespiceoflife,thenthecareersofCalgary-andVancouver-basedphotographersMichele RambergandDale Roth(bothPhotographicTechnology’87)aretheequivalentofajalapeño.Theduo’sportfolioincludestop-notchshotsforawiderangeofmagazinesandadvertisingcampaigns,andsubjectsrangingfromHolocaustsurvivorstodirtydinnerplatestoCalgarymayorNaheedNenshi.ThatworkiscollectedontheirprofessionalblogRoth&Ramburg(rothandramburg.myfotojournal.com),whereyoucanalsopickupsomebehind-the-scenesdirt.WhoknewthatNenshi’sassistantwearsatigercostume?(Tobefair,itwasHalloween.)

InSeptember2012,aftermanyyearsofindependence,Brittney Le Blanc(RadioandTelevision’07)decidedtoenterthedatingsceneinEdmonton.Theavidradioandprintjournalistdecidedtogobig.LeBlanc’sblogwww.5k365.comdocumentsherquesttomeet5,000peopleoverthecourseofasingleyear(that’s14peopleeveryday).Shethrowsherselfintothisdemandingsocialexperimentwithgustoandgoodhumour,postingphotosandshakinghandswithasignificantpercentageoftheCapitalRegionintheprocess.

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9:33 am

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9:33 am

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24 techlifemag.ca

3 questions

Perseveranceandbusinesssensearekeyfactorstomakingitinthearts,accordingtothreealumniwho’vedoneit.Theysharetheiradviceandinsightsabouthowluck,entrepreneurshipandtheireducationhavepositionedthemforsuccess.

— Sherri Krastel

aboUt LIfe as an aRtist

Joan maRie galat(BiologicalSciencesTechnology’84),writer,ParklandCounty,Albertarecent project:The Discovery of Longitude, achildren’sbookaboutthedevelopmentoftechnologytodetermineeast-westlocationatsea

Besides creativity, what is the one skill artists need to support themselves?

Perseverance.

what is the relationship between art and entrepreneurship?

Ittakescreativitytomakeartandacreativeapproachtoearnalivingasanentrepreneur.Practicalbusinessskillsareessentialwhenyouhaveacreativeproductorservicetosell.

what advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Goodwritingisaboutrewriting.Writerswhogetcontractsarethosewhopersevereinpolishingtheirmanuscript,forgeondespiterejection,andlearnthebusinessofgettingpublished.

don RitteR(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’79),professor,SchoolofCreativeMedia,CityUniversityofHongKong,HongKong; recent project:Vested,a12-by-19-metreinteractiveinstallation

what advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Itisimportanttobeknowledgeableaboutartisticmovementsfromthepast,butthestyleofartthatismostrelevantfortodayshouldreflectthevaluesofthecontemporaryera.

what got you this far?

Luck,desire,perseveranceandthesupportofnumerousindividualsintheinternationalartworld.

what role does your nait education play in your career today?

Computer,video,audio,roboticlightingandsensortechnologiesareessentialcomponentsofmyartworks.MyabilitytoworkwithvariousformsofelectronictechnologyisprimarilybasedonmyNAITeducation.

Jason caRteR(GraphicCommunications’01),painterandcarver,Edmonton,Albertarecent project:The Rather Round Bottomed Rabbit,soapstonecarving

what advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Haveashow.Createsomethingthatyouwouldwanttoseeandthenshareit!

what is the biggest challenge you face trying to make a living from your art?

Findingabalancebetweencommercialsuccessandartisticexplorationwhilemaintainingintegrityandgrowthwithinmywork.

what is the relationship between art and entrepreneurship?

Asuccessfulartistisasuccessfulentrepreneur.Youcannotbeonewithouttheother.

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v7.2 2014 25

innovate

Every morningbeforepresidentandCEODr.GlennFelthamsitsdownathisdeskhestopstoenjoytheviewfromhisofficewindow.Acrossthestreet,cranesswinghighabovethelargest

capitalprojectinNAIT’shistory,thenearly52,000-square-metreCentreforAppliedTechnologies.“It’swonderfultolookoutandseeabeehiveofactivity,”hesays.

Onereasonforthatfeelingispurelypractical.“Weknowthattomeettheneedsoftheprovince,NAITneedstobelarger,”hesays.“Thecentreprovidesthatspacethatwillallowustogrow.”

Theotherreasonforthefeeling,however,islesstangible.“ThisisgoingtobetheheartofNAIT,”saysFeltham.“Itwillgreatlyenhanceoursenseofcommunity.”

Roughly5,000studentsenrolledincoursesofferedbytheJRShawSchoolofBusiness,theSchoolofHealthSciencesandtheSchoolofSustainableBuildingandEnvironmentalManagementwillmingledailyinthecentre,makinguseofstate-of-the-artclassroomsandlabs.Asthehometoappliedresearchprojectsandentrepreneurshipinitiatives,itwillincreasethenumberofcommunityandindustrypartners.

Here,wecheckouttheviewfromFeltham’swindow,andpeerbeyond.Whenitopensin2016,thecentrewillphysicallytransformMainCampus–thisishowitwilllookwhenthenewheartofNAITopensuptowelcometheworld.

the new heaRt of naitbest face forwardInearlyincarnations,thecentre’slookwasmoreinlinewithOxfordthanitscounterpartsonMainCampus.Bestdescribedasneo-gothic,itfeaturedsoaringspiresandalargestained-glassrenderingofNAIT’scoatofarms.Recently,thedesignwasrevisedtobetterreflectthesleek,modernisttraditionsofcurrentcampus,justasevidentintheoriginal1960sstructuresasthe21st-centuryHPCentreforInformationandCommunicationsTechnology,Petro-CanadaCentreforMillwrightTechnologyandtheSpartanCentreforInstrumentationTechnology.

the centre for applied technologies will bring together and elevate the nait community like never before.

story by scott messenGer

Photos by Blaise Van malsen ANd Jeanette sesay

26 techlifemag.ca

ImA

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the new heaRt of nait

Pedway to adjacent parkade

space for future growth

9 studios that provide space for designing large sketches and scale models by disciplines including architectural technology, interior design technology and landscape architectural technology

35 32-seat classrooms

2264-seat classrooms

135-seat theatre

45 labs and simulation rooms

sPec sheet

estimated $294 million total cost, with $205 million in funding from government of alberta, and the rest from nait and its supporters

Lay of the landOtherthanahandfulofsmallcourtyardswithintheoriginalcampus,NAIThasneverhadthekindof“quad”enjoyedbytheearlyfallandlatespringFrisbee-throwers,HackySack-kickersandbetween-classnappersatotherpost-secondaryinstitutes.Thecentre’slocationwouldenclosealmostonehectareoflandscapedgreenspacebetweenit,theHPCentreand106Street.

v7.2 2014 27

open spacesCome2016,that“whoosh”youhearwillbethesoundofnearly500staffvacatingtheirofficesfornewdigsinthecentre.“Therewillbealmostnoprogramsandnobuildingsthatwillbeunaffected,”saysJohnEngleder,associatevice-presidentofNAIT’sFacilitiesManagementandDevelopment.FollowingthatwhooshwillbethatcrashofwreckingballsonNAIT’sengineeringannex,aformer1970sdepartmentstorethathasbecometoocostlytomaintain.

TheemptyspacesleftacrossMainCampus,includingmuchoftheoldbusinesstower,maybesitesofmanyhappyreunions.“Wehavebitsandpiecesofgroupsthatlogicallyshouldbetogetherwhoarescattered,”saysEngleder.“We’regoingtolookatthisasanopportunitytorealignthebusinessunits.Thatcouldpotentiallymeanalotofmovement.”

sustainability LeeDerLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesignistheinternationalstandardforgreenbuilding.InAlberta,everynewpost-secondaryeducationbuildingfundedbytheprovincialgovernmenthastoachieveLEEDsilverorbetter.Tomakethecut,sustainabilityfeaturesatthecentreincludeenergy-efficientwindows,LEDlightingthroughout,low-maintenancelandscaping,bicyclestoragetogetmorestaffoutofcars,roofingthatreflectsheatandlowersinteriortemperaturesinwarmermonths,andbuildingmaterialslesslikelytooff-gas.

students first“Wearegoingtohavesomeoftheniftieststudentspaceofanypost-secondaryinAlberta,”saysFeltham.Partofthesecondfloorhasbeendesignated,afterconsultationwithstudents,as“flop”space:studentloungesandstudyareasforcasuallearningandsocializing.Belowthat,includingfoodservices,nearlyhalfofthecentre’smainfloorwillbedevotedtostudents,whetherforfloppingorhandlingbusinessatnewlyconsolidatedservicesthatallowstudentstomanageeveryaspectoftheirNAITexperienceatonelocation.

OneofthemoststrikingfeaturesofthatmainflooriswhatbuildingdesignerscallMainStreet.Thisbroadconcoursewillspanthecentrefromeasttowestandreachtoaglassceilingsixstoreysabovethatwillfloodtheareawithnaturallight.JustoffMainStreet,a2.5-storeyatriumwill–whennotoccupiedbystudents–hostmajorNAITfunctions.“Thisiswherealloftheinstitutewillcometogether,”saysFeltham.

innovate

Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/construction.htmtocheckthebuilding’sprogress.

first step forwardLookingtwo,threedecadesahead–andfactoringinAlberta’spopulationgrowthprojectionsandlabourrequirements–NAITexpectstogrowsignificantly.“Wealreadyhaveabacklogofdemandthatthecentrewillhelpustofulfill,butit’snottheendoftheplanningforthefuture,”saysEngleder.“Itwillnotaccommodateallthatadditionalgrowth.”Thecentreisatasteofwhat’stocome,includingstudenthousing,newrecreationandathleticfacilities,andexpansioninallprograms.Already,talksareunderwaywiththemunicipalandprovincialgovernmentsaboutwheretoputitall,withonepotentialsitebeingtheformerCityCentreAirportlandsaspartoftheproposedBlatchfordcommunity.

28 techlifemag.ca

Dr.ForrestTittle,deanoftheSchool of Sustainable Building and Environmental Management,believesthenewspacewillbeparticularlyappreciatedbycurrentoccupantsoftheengineeringannex.Technologiststudentswillbemovingtostate-of-the-artfacilities,saysTittle.“Ithinkthechangeinenvironmentwillstimulatestudentmotivation.”

imPact on: building science

imPact on: health sciences

StudentsoftheSchool of Health Scienceshaveplentyofopportunitiestohonetheirskillsbeforeattemptingtherealthing.Throughsimulation,theypracticewithexperiencedinstructorsonthelatesttechnologyinsafe,controlledenvironments,“butwedon’treallyhaveaformalsimulationcentre,”saysDeanEllenHughes.“We’vebeenholdingsimulationexperiencesalloverthecampus.”Thenewbuildingwillhostadedicatedsimulationcentre–completewithsimulationsuitesandAVequipmenttorecorditallforconstructivedebriefings.Simulationcanbeusedtoreplacesomepracticumplacementexperiences,whicharecurrentlyatapremiumandslowthesupplyofnewalliedhealth-careprofessionalsincludingultrasoundandX-raytechnologists,respiratorytherapists,paramedicsandmore.

imPact on: business

“Havinganewbuildingandanewlocationforbusinessprogrammingwillhelpreinforceourbrandasadestinationforbusinesseducation,”saysTadDrinkwater,interimdeanoftheJR Shaw School of Business.“We’veseenitwithotherinstitutions–ithasbeenanattractor.”Toboostthatvisibility,thecentrewillbehometoanappliedbankingandstocktradinglab,completewithallthenoiseandexcitementofBayStreet.“IthinkthattheCentreforAppliedTechnologiesisgoingtobeaverysymbolicstructureforNAIT,”addsDrinkwater.“HavingtheJRShawSchoolofBusinessasavisiblepartofthatnewfacilitywillserveuswell.”

“alberta stayed the course during the recession; we didn’t really stop. now we’re on the up-curve again and the province needs technical people... that’s what [the centre for applied technologies] is all about.”

Richard Connery (ArchitecturalTechnology’75),Stantec’sseniorcontractadministrator(responsibilitiesincludefieldreports,ensuringconstructionfollowscontractdocuments,eventualbuildinghandovertoNAIT)

“when i went to school, we would walk through the hP centre and analyze the crap out of the building. now i’m sure, for years to come, the [construction engineering technology] guys will be looking at what we did. it’s a teaching tool. we’re pretty confident in the quality of our work. we’re proud to show it off.”

Derek Goossen (ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’04),ClarkBuilders’projectmanager(responsibilitiesincludeoverseeingconcreteandstructuralsteelconstruction)

“this centre is so important for the future of alberta and nait – including its staff. it will provide much more collaborative work space. we currently don’t have a building like this, where fostering collaboration between co-workers is a key design variable. as an alum, it’s great to have the opportunity to support this project using skills that are rooted in this institution.”

Trevor Morton (ArchitecturalTechnology’94),aNAITcapitalprojectsmanager(responsibilitiesincludeoverseeingcapitalrenovationsandconstructionforcampusprojects,includingthecentre)

“i haven’t been on a project this big before, so it’s neat to see how many people it takes and the coordination that goes with it. it’s exciting to be a part of that. [nait] is where i got my education, where my career started and my love for what i do.”

Carla Rempel (InteriorDesignTechnology’08),Stantec’sinteriordesigntechnologist(responsibilitiesincludedesigningaccordingtoconstructionplans)

a soRt of homecomingTheconstructionofthecentrehasbroughtgradsbackasdesignandbuildstaff.BeingpartoftheNAITfamily,it’slikethey’reputtinganadditionontheirownhomes.Afewoftheirthoughts:

v7.2 2014 29

LEAD THE WAY Acquire leading skills and competencies in process improvement and management to effect positive change in your organization.

Why NAIT? Every month, more than 500 students from Alberta companies take classes in NAIT’s Project Management Certificate program*. Our courses, developed with ongoing input from business and industry, offer relevant curriculum that responds to today’s emerging business needs. Our students are essential to improved productivity, making companies more efficient and profitable.

*NAIT’s program is recognized by the Project Management Institute and prepares students to write the exam to become a certified Project Management Professional.

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

nait.ca

innovate

Web ExtraCheckoutthegroundbreakingceremonyforthe

centreattechlifemag.ca/groundbreaking.htm.

no regretsnait student association2013-14presidentJonathan Bilodeau (Accounting’12,left)isn’toftennervousduringpublicspeaking,butstayingcompletelycalmdidn’tproveeasyatlastsummer’sgroundbreakingforthecentre.

Foronething,hewaspartofalineupofspeakersthatincludedthen-PremierAlisonRedford,herdeputyminister,thechairoftheBoardofGovernorsandGlennFeltham.Foranother,theeventwastelevised.Anotherstill:thegravityofthematter.“It’ssymbolic,”saysBilodeauofthecentre,whichheseesasaturningpointforNAITanditsstudents.

“Thisyearistheyearthedoorwasbuiltandopened,”hesays.Heseeseducationforfuturestudentsbeingenhancedbynewtechnologiesandnewsurroundings–andbyeachother.Proximityplusdiversityequalscross-pollination.Studentsinoneprogrammighttakeacoursefromanotheronthenextfloor,outofinterest,toboostjobprospects,orboth.Theendresult,saysBilodeau,isamorewell-roundedgraduateandastrongerworkforce.

Graduatingthisyearwithafinancedegree,BilodeauissaddenedslightlythatthebuildingneverevolvedbeyondsymbolduringhistimeatNAIT.Thebulkofhisstudyinghappenedintheeight-floorbusinesstower,acutting-edgestructure–for1965,whenitopened.“IstillreallycherishtheeducationIreceivedhere,soI’llneverregretthat.Butyoualwayswanttoplaywiththenewshinytoy,right?That’sOK,”hesays.“I’msureI’llbeback.”

30 techlifemag.ca

v7.2 2014 31

innovatecoveR stoRy

researchers Laurie hunt and Debbie webb are playing a key role in the rescue of the sturgeon river and watershed – and offering

an open invitation for the return of its namesake species.

Sturgeon

story by scott messenGer

Photos by Blaise Van malsen

sos:save oUr

innovate • cover story

t his is a storyabouttheonethatgotaway,Acipenser fulvescens,or,asit’scommonlyknown,thelakesturgeon.Fiftyyearsago,ormaybemore

(nooneknowsforsurewhenitdisappeared)thestorymighthavegonedifferently.Maybelikethis.

You’reakidgrowingupinSt.Albert,justnorthwestofEdmonton.Onesummerday,you’reonthebanksoftheSturgeonRiver,afavouritehangoutforyouandthegang,throwingstones.Youhitsomethingfloatingpastthatyouthoughtwasalogbutitsurfaces:abony,silverbackglintsinthesunshine.Itstretchesalmosttwometresfromaneedle-likenosetoaweirdtailfinthatmakesyouthink,shark.Soyouandyourbuddiesfreakout,scatter,andlateryoutellmomanddadaboutthemonsterintheriver.Relax,theysay,it’sasturgeon.You’reluckytohaveseenone,momanddadsay.Therearen’talotofthem.

Today,therearealmostcertainlynonebecausetheriver,likemanyinAlberta,haschangedfortheworse.Sturgeon,whichcanreach90kilogramsoverlifespansthatcanexceedacentury,preferbigrivers,oroneswithpoolsdeepenoughforgoodfeeding.TheSturgeonRiverisnotonlyshallowerthesedays,it’sslower,morepollutedandstarvedattimesofdissolvedoxygen.That’snottosayit’sdead.Ducksloveitspond-likequalities.Fishstilltraverseitsmuddywaters,thoughonlythetoughest:suckers,sticklebacks,northernpike,lakechubandfatheadminnow.Beaversplytheirtrade,largelyunbotheredbynaturalpredators.

LaurieHuntandDebbie Webb(BiologicalSciencesTechnology’82)takethisfaintpulseasasignofhope.

Since2010,theBiologicalScienceTechnologyinstructorsandresearchershavetreatedtheSturgeonRiverasalivinglaboratory,involvingstudentsandlocalresidentsingrassrootssciencethatnootherorganization,governmentorotherwise,isdevotingtheresourcestoundertake.Intheshortterm,theywanttofillknowledgegapsabouttheriverincludingthequalityofthewaterandbiodiversity–thekindofinformationneededforafullwatershedmanagementplan–anddevelopmethodstoactuallyrepairtheecosystem.Theirlong-termambition,however,istobringthesturgeonbacktotheSturgeonwatershed.

Allofthisdependsonmakingresidents(Huntamongthem)believethat,despitethestrainsofindustry,agricultureanddecadesofurbandevelopment,thehealthoftheriverandsurroundingwatershedcouldimprove.HuntandWebbwantthesebanks–andthoseofanyotherPrairieriver–tobeasourceofamazementratherthandisappointment.

Withanewprojectfocusedonriverbankrehabilitation,theirrescueoperationmaybemovingtowardafarbetterendingthananyfishtale.

just behindasoftballdiamondwestofdowntownSt.Albertliesoneofmanyresearchsitesfortheproject.It’svirtuallyinvisible,obscuredbyprairiegrassthatHuntandWebbhaveconvincedgroundskeepersto

the damage

has been a

group effort

over more than

a century of

farming, light

industry and

simply living

around the

Water.

Acipenser fulvescens, or, As It’s commoNly kNowN, the lAke sturgeoN.

32 techlifemag.ca

quitmowing,andthat’stallenoughtohideasoftball.It’sapleasantspot.Gotoagameandyou’dhaveaclearviewthroughthechain-linkbackdropontothewater,andtowheretheriverbendsgentlysouthwesttowardBigLake.Theproblemis,theviewshouldbeobstructed.

What’smissingarethetreesandshrubsthatoncemadeuptheriparianhabitat,thatbufferbetweenriverandland.Atleastfornow.Amongthegrassarenativesaplings:poplar,dogwood,alder,raspberry,whitespruce,allrecentlyplantedbylocalScouts,schoolgroupsandothervolunteers.“Givenafewyears,hopefullyitlookslikeamorenaturalenvironment,”saysWebb,who,likeHunt,thinksnothingofdonningchestwadersandsloggingintothewaterwhenrequired.Shepointsoutthemodelontheoppositebank,athicketofmaturetrees.

Riparianrehabhasn’talwaysbeenthefocusforherandHunt,whohaveinvolvedstudentsinthehands-onfieldworkrequiredofalltheirresearch.SincebeginningworkontheSturgeonRiverwatershedin2010,they’vestudiedtheimpactofobstacles,suchasculverts,onfishhabitatfragmentationandalsorivershallowingcausedbygravelandgritthatentersviabridgedecksandstormwateroutflows,settlingonthesoftbottom.They’vealsoregularlytestedwaterqualityandexaminedbiodiversityat22sitesthroughoutthewatershed.Lastspring,theydecidedreplantingtheriver’sedgewouldbethemostholisticwaytoallowthe

Sturgeontostartthenaturalprocessofhealingitself.It’snotthefirsttimethistypeofworkhasbeen

doneintheareabutnowitbearsthescientificrigourearlyattemptslacked.“Ourhopewasthateverythingwouldgrowlikemad....It’sjustnotthateasy,”saysDanStoker,aformerkeymemberofREEP,theRiverEdgeEnhancementProject,whichhasplantedalongtheriverforyears.NAIT’swork,hesays,“isgoingtoyieldalotbetterresultsthanwecouldhaveeverdone.”

Astripofvegetationjustafewmetreswideisaguardian,mostlyagainstphosphorus,anutrientthatfuelsscummyalgaebloomsthatconsumedissolvedoxygenastheyeventuallydecompose,suffocatingfishandotherorganisms.Rootssuckupphosphorusfromfertilizersthatrunofffieldsandlawns,andstabilizebanksthatcontainitintheirsoil.What’smore,treesprovideshade,coolingsummerwatertemperaturesandcreatingcorridorsforwildlifeandhomesforbirds.Deadwoodalsocontributestotheaquatichabitat,creatingpoolsandeddiesthatareperfectspotsfororganismstofeed.“Ifeverycommunitysaidwe’regoingtoworktore-implementriparianbuffers,thatwouldhaveanoverall,long-term,positiveeffect,”saysHunt,wholikestocanoetheSturgeonRiverwithherkids.

They’renotonlyplantingbutrecordingwhichplantssurviveandthrive.Theresult,theyhope,isamethodtorescuePrairieriversides–createdwiththehelpofthepeoplewholiveinthewatershed.

fundeRs and suPPoRteRs of nait’s wateRshed ReseaRch

environment canada

national sciences and engineering research council

fisheries and oceans canada

alberta conservation association

alberta rural development network

naIt

city of st. albert

bedrock environmental services Ltd.

county of Lac ste. anne

north saskatchewan Watershed alliance

alberta riparian habitat management society (cows and fish)

alberta environment and sustainable resource development

gone fishin’ResearchersknowfromlocalanglersthatdiversityintheSturgeonRiverfishpopulationhasdropped.Here’saglimpseofthechange(thoughexceptionsoccasionallynavigatethewaterway)asthequalityofriverhasdeterioratedovertheyears.

HISTORICAL CURRENT

v7.2 2014 33

STURGEON

WALLEYE

BURBOT

GOLDEYE

SUCKER

YELLOW PERCH

NORTHERN PIKE

innovate • cover story

the stUrgeon Watershed by the nUmbers

3,301 sq. KiLoMetres

approx.1,200 farMs

sturgeon river flows to the north

saskatchewan river

sturgeon river flows east from hoople lake

settLeD in the 1800s

FIRST

SETTLEDaREaS

InDIan RESERvES

BaRRHEaD COUnTY

LaC STE. annE COUnTY

PaRKLanD COUnTY

STURGEOn COUnTY

WESTLOCK COUnTY

develoPed land

4%

agRicultuRal land

71%

260KM Length of sturgeon river

st. albert

LACSte.ANNE

LAKEISLE

BIGLAKE

sturGeon riVer

16

633

765

33

777

779

16a

528

60

37

642

44 2 803

28

28a

43

edmonton

Gibbonsmorinville

Bon accord

onoway

spruce Grove

stony plain

st. albert

34 techlifemag.ca

the sturgeon river at a riparian rehabilitation research site.

the key to their successliesingrassrootsorganizingandmobilizing.TheGovernmentofAlbertaregulateswhatcanandcannotbedumpedintorivers,andlimitshowmuchwatercanbewithdrawn,butitdoesnotassignfull-scalereclamationworktousers.Inmanycases,itwouldbeimpossibletosingleoutanyoneforthejob.IntheSturgeonRiverwatershed,thedamagehasbeenagroupeffortovermorethanacenturyoffarming,industryandsimplylivingaroundthewater.

Huntdoesn’tbelieveaheavyhandwouldhelpanyway.“Ifthegovernmentwastomandatesomething,Ithinkthebuy-inandcompliancewouldbelow.”Besides,sheadds,whensheandWebbsurveyedlandownersinthewatershed(seesidebar,p.36),theydiscoveredastronginterestinactiveenvironmentalstewardship.“Theycomeupwithsomegreatideasabouthowwecanmoveforward,”saysHunt.

Withincitylimits,mostideasoriginatefromSt.Albert’sOfficeoftheEnvironment,headedbyLeahKongsrude.Somemightsayherbiggestchallengebordersontheimpossible:maintainorimprovewaterqualityasitmeandersthroughacityofnearly60,000people.Tomakeithappen,sheandherteamofthreehavefocusedonissuesincludingstormwateroutlets,gritfrombridgedecksandwatertesting.Shealsoledthecreationofaframeworkdocument,Sturgeon River: State of the Watershed Report,whichidentifiesknowledgegaps–riparianhealth,waterqualityandbiodiversityindicators–thatHuntandWebbcouldhelpfill.

“There’sincrediblepotentialforeducationalinstituteslikeNAITtocontributetowatershedmanagement,”saysKongsrude,beitanythingfrombasicfieldworktoeducatingresidentsabouttheecosystem.Withoutsuchsupport,sheadmitsshe’dstruggletoachievehergoals.

SomightLorraineTaylor,conservationcoordinatorwithagriculturalservicesinLacSte.AnneCounty,anhour’sdrivenorthwestofSt.Albert.Afarmingregionlikenearlythree-quartersoftheentirewatershed,the

countyishometoagoodportionofthearea’sroughly780,000livestock.Here,riparianbuffersaremorelikelytobetrampledbyhoovesthanmowed,andwatermorelikelyaffectedbyanimalsthanhumans.Overseeingconservationeffortsisn’teasy.“Iwouldsaythatmyresourcesarefairlylimited,”saysTaylor,whorunsadepartmentofoneand,beingsoclosetothewatershed’sheadwatersofHoopleLake,feelsakeensenseofresponsibility.

OntopofmeasuringwaterqualityintheareaandgettingitsstudentsintoLacSte.Anneclassroomstodescribetheirwork,theNAITgroupisworkingdirectlywithlandowners,countystaffandthenon-profitAlbertaRiparianHabitatManagementSociety(a.k.a.CowsandFish).Together,theyorganizeriparianre-plantingswithlocalvolunteers,stringwireforfencingprojectstokeepcattleawayfromtheriverandevenhelpsetuplivestockwateringsystemswithgrantsfarmerswouldbeunlikelytoaccessforsheerlackofawareness.

“Transferringthesciencepartofittothelet’s-get-it-donepartisreallywhat’sgoingtospeaktothelocalpeople,”saysTaylor.

and, as it happens,totheprovincialgovernment.MichaelSullivan,provincialfishsciencespecialist

withEnvironmentandSustainableResourceDevelop-ment,includestheSturgeonwatershedinthe80percentofriversacrossAlbertathathelooselyclassifiesas

“introuble.”“Wewouldliketobeabletofish,swimanddrinkour

water,”hesays.“Onceyougetintotheagricultural,thesettled,theforestry,thedevelopedareas,youstarttoloseeachoneofthosethings...andthat’snotright.”

It’snotsomethinghecancorrectalone.Sullivan,whohaslecturedinHuntandWebb’sclassesandhirestheirgrads,looksathisworkinaddressingriverdeteriorationasabig-pictureendeavourinvolvingfourissues:overfishing,nutrientcontamination,lossofgroundwaterandhabitatfragmentation.Hedoesn’t

watershed residents, including Jonathan farr, play a key role in restoring native habitat.

“transferring

the science

part of it to

the let’s-get-

it-done part is

really What’s

going to speak

to the local

people.”

-LORRAINETAYLORCONSERVATIONCOORDINATOR

AGRICULTURALSERVICESLACSTE.ANNECOUNTY

v7.2 2014 35

innovate • cover story

havetheresourcestodelvedeeper,anddrilldowntosolutionsinvolvingspades,rubberbootsandthehopethatafewdozenseedlingsmakeitthroughharshAlbertaseasons.

Forthat,hereliesonNAITandinstituteslikeit,andcanevenusetheirfindingstodevelopenforceableenvironmentalpolicies.ButhecautionsagainstrelyingonriparianstudiesaloneinwatershedsasstressedastheSturgeon.It’s“aBand-Aid,”hesays,inagriculturalregions.Ariversidebufferofafewmetreswouldstruggletoabsorbphosphorusfromsomanyfields.Notthathebelievestheyshouldn’tpersevere.ThemethodologyHuntandWebbaredevelopingisatoolhewouldliketobeabletoapplyelsewhereintheprovince.

“Band-Aidscanbereallyusefultostopsmallcuts.”Butriversareresilient.Fifteenyearsago,says

Sullivan,asturgeonwouldonlybecaughtdeadinthesewage-sulliedNorthSaskatchewanRiver,wherescientistsnowtrackasizablepopulation.Createtherightconditionsand“theserivers,”saysSullivan,“willcurethemselvesdamnquick.”

from hunt’sperspective,however,“Progressisslow.”AsaSt.Albertresidentsince2003,she’sparticularlypassionate.Sheseestheriverasmanyintheareado:assomethingthatshouldpositivelyreflect,orevendefine,thecharacterofthecity.

“It’stheheartofourcommunity,”saysLeahKongsrude.“Ithashistoricalsignificance.Father[Albert]Lacombepickedthislocationbecauseithadaccesstowaterforirrigation,transportation,fishandwildlife.St.AlbertpeoplehavearealconnectionwiththeSturgeonRiver,soastheyhaveconcernsabout[its]health,theyhaveaveryemotionalresponse.”HuntandWebbhopetocapitalizeonthatresponse.

Thesturgeon,then,istheperfectposter-fish,easilyralliedaroundforitsuniquesize,longevity,prehistoricarmour.Oralmostperfect.EvenHuntisuncertainofhergroup’sabilitytobringitback.Kongsrudeclaimsajuvenilesturgeonwascaughtintheriveraboutadecadeago.Sullivantakesawhy-notview.Owen Watkins(BiologicalSciencesTechnology’95),whotracksNorthSaskatchewanRiverpopulationsfortheprovince,neverencounteredonewhenhefishedandsnorkelledintheSturgeonasakid.“Itwouldbeawonderfulstoryifthathappened,”hesays,histonesuggestiveofalikelihoodonparwiththatofkidssightingonefromthebanks,decadesback.

Itmaynotactuallymatterifitcomesback.Infact,itmaynotmatterevenifiteverlivedwithinSt.Albertcitylimits,keepinginsteadtotheeasternmouthofthewatershedthatmeetstheNorthSaskatchewan.Thesturgeon,HuntandWebbknow,isasymbolofpotential.Forresidents,thatcouldjustaseasilyberealizedintheformofaclean,flowingstreamallsummerlong,anafternoonspenthookingwalleyeandgoldeye,kidssplashingandswimminginchest-highwater.Anditwouldmeanthatpatchbehindtheballdiamond,andotherslikeit,grownupandarchingoverthewater.Progressmayseemslow,butit’sbegun.“Westartedofftryingtofigureoutwhattheproblemsare,”saysHunt.

“Nowwewanttostartfacingthem.”TheresidentsofSt.Albertmaynotneedthe

SturgeonRiverthewaytheyoncedidasfarmers(whostilldoinotherpartsofthewatershed),buttheneedislikelystrongenoughforHuntandWebbtosucceed,sturgeonorno.

“There’ssomuchdesireamongpeoplewholiveinthewatershed,”saysWebb.“Withthatdesire,there’sdefinitelyhope.”

“ We Would like

to be able to fish,

sWim and drink

our Water.”

citizens’ viewsBetweenMayand

December2012,HuntandWebbsurveyedand

interviewedlocalresidentstomeasureperceptions

ofissuesaffectingtheSturgeonRiverwatershed.

Theirquestionsfocusedonthevalueofthe

resource,challengesandopportunities,andthe

bestdirectionforresearchefforts.Threehundredeighty-sevenresidentsparticipated.Hereisasampleoftheirviews.

Theneedforawatershedmanagementplan 93.8%

not Very helpful Very helpful

Theneedformorenativevegetationalongshoresoflakesandrivers 87.5%

Businessorcommercialuse 30.7%

Ecologicalvalue 98.8%

Limitingdevelopmentinhighlysensitiveareas 96.4%

Rehabilitatinghabitatalongshorelines 94.5%

not Very important Very important

-MIKESULLIVANSENIORFISHERIESBIOLOGISTENVIRONMENTAND SUSTAINABLERESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

36 techlifemag.ca

Visit us at to see all that a career with Medical Imaging Consultants has to offer.www.mic.ca

An essential community partner. Medical Imaging Consultants

38 techlifemag.ca

3

3

4

4

4

5

6

6

2 2

78889

1010

11

11

12

13

14

12

11

6

6

6

4

ColourCodE2

2

2

2

1

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11

1

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decorating can be almost as easy as painting by numbers.

innovate

“you don’t learn how to paintbywatchingYouTube,”saysvernon Ball(PaintingandDecorating’81,ComputerSystemsTechnology’92).“Youlearnhowbypaintingwalls.”Backedbyyearsofprofessionalexperience,herethePaintingandDecoratinginstructorshareshistipsfornovicepaintersandexperiencedDIYers–justintimeforthosespringprojects.

— Michelle Lindstrom

colours have feelings tooColourhasapsychologicaleffectonpeople.Warmcolours–yellow,orangeandred–tendtoexcite,sousetheminarecroomratherthanachild’snursery,saysBall.Coolcolours–blue,greenandpurple–haveacalmingeffect,makingthemperfectforbedrooms.

Colourcancreateotherillusionsaswell.Awarmcolourcanmakeanaccentwall–onepaintedadifferentcolour–feelcloserthanitis,Ballexplains,helpingalargeroomfeelcozier.Thosecoolershadeshavetheoppositeeffect,makingsmallspacesfeellarger.

Beforecommittingtoanycolour,viewitinavarietyoflightingthroughouttheday,Ballrecommends.“It’sagoodideatobuyalitreofpaintandputitonafewdifferentwallsintheroom,”hesays.Baseyourchoiceonthetimeofdaythespaceisusedmostoften.

wall by wallWithopen-conceptfloorplans,Ballsuggestsgradualchangesincolourfromonewalltothenext.Picktwoorthreecoloursonthesameswatchandpainttheleastsunnyroomawarmcolour.Asroomsgetsunnier,graduallymovetowardthecoolercolour–yellowtogreen,forexample.

“Sometimesyoucanmakeasubtletransitionbypaintingthetrimadifferentcolour,ratherthanchangingthewallcolour,”hesays.Trimdoesn’talwayshavetobelighterthanthewall.

Inhomeswhereroomsareseparated,youcanmakemoredramatictransitionsbutkeepacommonelementthroughout,saysBall,suchasthecolourofthetrim.

hide and shineInthepast,paintfinishesweredeterminedbyaroom’suse.Semi-gloss,forexample,wasamustforbathrooms,kitchensandkids’roomsbecauseithelduptoscrubbing.Today,“it’salldonethroughchemistry,anddurabilityisn’tastiedtosheenasitusedtobe,”saysBall.

Thechoicebetweenflat,eggshellandsemi-glossisreallyabouttheconditionofyourwalls.Becausesemi-glossreflectsmorelight,itshowsmoreflawsthaneggshell.Useitonnewerwalls,savingtheeggshellforonesyou’verepeatedlypatched.

Ballusestwocoatsofpaintwithbuilt-inprimerbutnotesthatacoatofprimerthenpaintcanbeaslightlycheaperoption.Inanycase,herecommendsbuyingthemostexpensivepaintyoucanafford.Ittendstorequirefewercoats,driesmoreevenlyandemitslessfumes.“Youreallygetwhatyoupayfor.”

preparation is everything“Eightypercentofpaintingissurfacepreparation,”Ballsays.HewashesolderwallswithadetergentsuchasTSP,payingcloseattentiontofrequentlytouchedareassuchasaroundlightswitches.Thenhepatchesandrepairsallholes.Hefollowsthisbysandingthensweepingorvacuumingthewalls.Ballalwaysusesaprimer.

the toolkit

rollers

Usefluffyonesfortexturedsurfacesincludingconcreteorceilings.Ten-millimetrerollersarebestforflatoreggshellpaints,while5-millimetregivesthesmoothestfinishwithasemi-gloss

brushes Polyesterornylonbristlesarebestforacrylicandlatexpaints,whichareusedinmostresidentialjobs.Foroilpaints,usenaturalbristles.

tape Premiumtapecostsmorebuthelpspreventbleeding.Don’tleaveitonlongerthannecessary(themaximumtimeshouldbemarkedonthepackage).

care of equipment Usedishsoapandwarmwatertowashbrushesandrollers,anduseapailandspinnertoremoveexcesswaterandpaint.Repeatthreetimestoextendthelifeofequipment.

v7.2 2014 39

a top eMpLoyer in aLberta with

engageD anD highLy sKiLLeD

staff

innovate

when wasthelasttimeyoumadeaninvestmentthatreturned29or30percenteveryyear?Ifyou’reanAlbertataxpayeroroneofNAIT’s184,000alumni,itmayhavebeenmorerecentthanyouthink.

AsurveytomeasureNAIT’scontributiontotheprovincialeconomyintermsofemployment,income,taxbaseandreturnoninvestmentfoundthatforeverydollartheprovincialgovernmentinvestedinthepolytechnic,itsgraduatesprovidedanaverageannualreturnof30percentinadditionaltaxrevenues.

Inaddition,gradsseeanaverageannualreturnof29percentontheirtuitionbasedona40-yearcareer

while–dependingonthetrade–apprentices’tuitioninvestmentsarepaidbackasmanyas154timesovertheircareer.

“InvestmentsineducationatNAITprovidehugereturns,bothtotheprovinceandtoourstudents,”sayspresidentandCEODr.GlennFeltham.“NAITisessentialtoAlberta.”

CommissionedbyNAITandconductedbyGardnerPinfoldConsulting,thereportfocusesontheeconomicimpactNAIThadontheprovinceofAlbertainthe2011-12fiscalyear.Overall,NAIT’sannualeconomicimpactontheprovinceis$1.5billion.Here’sthebreakdown.

read the full report at nait.ca/economicimpact.NAIT’seconomicimpactisdeterminedusinganumberofapproaches,includingtheAlbertaTreasuryBoardand

Financeeconomicinput/outputanalysis.DatawascollectedfromNAIT,theGovernmentofAlbertaandStatistics

Canada,whileusingfinancialmodelsfromTreasuryBoardofCanadaandAlbertaTreasuryBoardandFinance.

mAny hAPPy rEturnsthe story is in the numbers — naIt is one of the best investments alberta, and albertans, can make.

full-time JobsThepercentageoffull-time,year-roundjobsatNAITcomparedtotheEdmontonaverage

52%EDMONTON

NAIT95%

employee satisfaction

ILIKEMYJOB

I’MGLADIWORKATNAIT

IWOULDRECOMMENDNAITASAPLACETOWORK

IWOULDRECOMMENDNAITTOPROSPECTIVESTUDENTS

90.8%

89.5%

83.2%

93.9%

40 techlifemag.ca

Illu

str

At

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s by

der

ek l

ue

AN

d t

INA

to

mlj

eNo

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9outof10gradsstayinAlberta.

48%

uP to

+$13,000 +$22,000

54%32%

a nait eDucation is an essentiaL investMent of pubLic DoLLars

NAIT’SHANDS-ONPROGRAMSARERELEVANT

ANDRESPONSIVE. of these grads are in the

labour force.

98%

inDustry wins when hiring career-reaDy graDs who have the sKiLLs anD training to aDvance quicKLy

30%alberta’s RoiForeverydollartheprovinceinvestsinNAIT,graduatesprovideanaverageannualreturnof30percentfromadditionaltaxrevenues.

NAITISESSENTIALTOTHEPRODUCTIVITYANDPROSPERITYOFALBERTATHROUGHITSLONGSTANDINGPARTNERSHIPSWITHBUSINESSANDINDUSTRYANDAPPLIEDRESEARCH.

Annualeconomicimpact

+1.5billion

apprenticeshipsAverageannualreturntoemployers,basedontheirinvestmentintraining.(Dependingonthetradeandhiringstrategies.)

applied Researchdevelopstimelysolutionsforindustry,bringingnewknowledgeintoclassrooms,shopsandlabs.

29%

student’s Roi Theaverageannualreturnontuitioninvestment

154XApprentices’tuition

investmentspaidbackthroughtheir

careerearnings.

quicK entry into the worKforce anD higher incoMe opportunities contribute to a strong return on investMent for stuDents

A32to54percentincreaseinannualearningswithaNAITeducation–anextra$13,000to$22,000peryear–comparedtoahighschooleducation.

v7.2 2014 41

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42 techlifemag.ca

wheels in motionfountain tire ceo brent hesje gets rolling as chair of the board of governors.

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v7.2 2014 43

techlife: what appealed to you about being a nait board member? about being chair?

BrentHesje:WhenIthoughtaboutitfromaFountainTirepointofview,NAITisareallyimportantsuppliertoAlbertaandourbusiness,throughitstradesprograms,andtherearegradsinthecorporatesideofourbusiness.

Beforegoingthroughtheboardorientationin2008,Ididn’tfullyunderstandthescaleandsizeofNAITandhowessentialitistomovingAlbertaforward.IjustmarvelatthepeopleIcontinuetomeetatNAIT,beittheexecutive,stafforstudents.ThecapacitytogetthingsdonestandsoutformecomparedtoalotofotherorganizationsIhavebeenwith.

IthinkNAIThasdoneagreatjobofwelcomingbusinesstotheirboardtomakesureitstaysrelevanttoindustry.It’sexcitinghowsomanyprogramsandinitiativeslineupwithwhat’sneededtodayandintothefuturefortheprovince.

what would you like to accomplish while you are board chair?

IthinktherearesomeexcitingpossibilitiesrightnowwiththeenergyoftheCentreforAppliedTechnologies.Therearesomerealpossibilitiestokeepdevelopingthecampusinawaythatbecomesmorestudent-centricand[offers]differentwaystodeliverlearning.We’llcontinuetomakeheadwayonthatinmyterm.

what does the centre for applied technologies (under construction, see p. 26) mean to nait?

ItshowsourcommitmenttoMainCampustodayandstartstoallowstudents,industry,Albertaandstafftodreamaboutthepossibilities[to]developthiscampustobeoneoftheworld’sleadingpolytechnics.

what do you see as the current challenges and the strengths nait might rely upon to overcome them?

There’snoquestiontherearechallengesbecausefinancialresourcesarefinitebutit’salwaysbeenachallenge.NAIThasthisincrediblestrengthandcontinuestofindinnovativewaystomovethroughthatreality.

what makes a great organization?

Ithinkagreatorganizationhasto…havethecouragetolookoutsideforthosedoingitbest.It’seasytojustlookatthosenotdoingthingsaswellandthenconcludeyou’regreat.Ithinkit’sreallyimportanttofindwho’sdoingthingsataworld-classlevelandthenaspiretobethere.

IbelievethatNAITisagreatorganizationbecauseit’saleaderpolytechnic-wiseinCanada.Inlookingatbestpractices,themajorityofinvestigationswedoreallyconfirmthatwe’reontherighttrack.

when you are finished your term as board chair, how will you define success?

Wewouldwanttohaveitalotmorestronglydefinedinthecommunity’smindthatwearecertainlyabouttradesbutalsoaboutbusiness,health,andscience,technologyandtheenvironment.Ifwehavemorepeopleunderstandingthat...itwillbeclearerinindustry’smindhowimportantasupplierweareandit’llbeclearerforstudentsandlearnerswhatgreatopportunitiesNAIToffers.

what else would you like to share about yourself?

IfindthatthemoreeffortIputintoNAIT,themoreIenduplearning.ThoughmyformaleducationhasnotyetincludedNAIT,itcontinuestobethehomeofmyinformaleducation.

if you met the ceoofacompanywithjustunder$600millioninannualrevenueandmorethan2,000employees,youmightnotexpecthimtotakeyourcoatandgetyouacupofcoffee,butthat’sthekindofpersonBrentHesjeis.

Hesje,thenewchairofNAIT’sBoardofGovernors,joinedFountainTireasmarketingmanagerin1992attheageof29.Withintwoyearshebecameanownerandvice-presidentofmarketing;hewasappointedCEOin2005.Shortlyafter,hejoinedtheNAITboard,whichgovernsandguidesthepolytechnic.Twotermslater,inOctober2013,hewasappointedchair,becomingitsrepresentativetogovernment,stakeholdersandthecommunity.

Alwaysupforachallenge,HesjewasthefirstEdmontonparticipantintheCEORescueintheRockiesfundraiserforSTARSAirAmbulance,winningthefiercestcompetitorawardin2013.HealsolikestochallengethelinksandlastyeargolfedsomeofScotland’sclassiccoursesandcaughtthefinalroundofthe2013OpenChampionship.

WespoketoHesjeabouthowhe’llbringthiskindofenergytohelpingNAITkeepitspromisestosupportAlberta,students,industryandstaff.

— Fiona Bensler

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on the organization’s 50th anniversary, naIt students’ association presidents past and present reflect on a role that shaped their lives.

PoweRfulmemoRies

given the many demandsplaceduponthepresidentoftheNAITStudents’Association,it’samazinganyonehaseverwantedthejob.

Overits50yearsasanadvocacygroupforstudents,NAITSAhasgrownintoamultimillion-dollar,multi-taskingnon-profit.It’salsoanewspaperpublisher,businessoperatorandaclubandeventorganizer,testingthemettleofitsleaderinmanyways.Followingelection,presidentsenteranon-the-jobcrashcourseonhowtobeapublicfigure,aseasonedadministrator,aliaisonwithgovernmentandNAITexecutive,and–withclassesontheside–amasteroftimemanagement.

“Idefinitelyworkmorethanmycontracted35hoursaweek,”saysJonathan Bilodeau(Accounting’12,left),2013-14presidentandfinancestudent.

Hewouldn’thaveitanyotherway.“Iwantedtohaveabiggerimpactonwhatwasgoingon,”saysBilodeau,“andthisistherolethathastheimpact.”

Thatappliesnotonlytodailyschoolbusinessbuttohisownlife,too.NAITSApresidencyshiftsone’sthinking.“Thebiggestthingthisjobhastaughtmeisthedifferencebetweenmanagementandleadership,”hesays.

WhenBilodeauimagineshowhe’lllookbackonthistime–likewe’veaskedpastpresidentstodointhefollowingpages–hepointstoasharedlegacy.Hewantstocontributetoatraditionthathasenabledtheeducationofthousands.“IhopethatwhenIlookbackIcansayIworkedmyassoff,IgaveiteverythingIhave,andattheendofthedayIchangedpeoples’livesforthebetter.”

44 techlifemag.ca

story by scott messenGer

Photos by Blaise Van malsen

william miles FirstNAITSApresident,1964-65(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’65)

“[nAitsA] WAs not likE it is todAy. WE hAd A room With four dEsks in it. WE Would mEEt thErE, hAvE our lunchEs And tAlk About thinGs.”

1964-65

Web ExtraVisitnait.ca/william-milesforavideoaboutMiles’termasNAITSA’sfirstpresident.

48 42 men

6 women

total PResidents

PResidents’ PRogRams seRved teRms 2

PResidents fRom business PRogRams29

dexx williams (2004-05, 2005-06) and

daVe whalen (1981-82, 1982-83)

per month in office

cuRRent salaRy$3,000

15 Marketing

7 Management

4 accounting

3 Civil Engineering Technology

3 Finance

3 non-graduating

2 architectural Technology

2 Computer Systems Technology

2 Construction Engineering Technology

2 Electronics Engineering Technology

1 Exploration Technology

1 Instrumentation

1 Plastics Engineering Technology

1 Radio and Television

1 Social Services Technology

v7.2 2014 45

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stan kwonG (ExplorationTechnology’72)Freelancegraphicandwebdesigner,Edmonton

why he ran:Duringhislastyear,afriendmentionedthattheelectionwasgoingtobewonbyacclamation.

“That’skindoflame,”saysKwong.Onadare,heran.Hetookbusinesscoursesduringhisterm.

Big issue:“Atthetime,IfeltNAITSAdidnothavetheautonomyitshouldhave.”NAITstudentserviceskepttheorganizationonatightleash,particularlyfinancially.Kwongtriedtomakechanges,

“thenmytermwasup.Iwasn’tsuccessful.”

Big win:Kwongdidsecuregreatercontrolforthestudentnewspaper,theNugget.Previously,aspectsofproduction,suchastypesetting,wereoutsourced.Hebroughttheminhouse.

“Thenthestudentscouldlearnthebusinessofpublishing.”

kees cusVeller (ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’80)Vice-presidentalternativeprocurementanddeliveryGrahamGroup,Calgary

why he ran:BeforeCusveller,nopresidenthadcomefromhisprogram.“Wealwaysfeltabitdisconnectedfromtherestofcampus.”Hisclassroomwasinthebasementofanow-demolishedbuilding.Adepartmentheadsingledhimouttorun.

Big win:OneofhisfirstactionswasorganizingacampusblooddonorclinicwiththeRedCross.“Thatwashugelysatisfying.”Roughly500staffandstudentsdonated,manyforthefirsttime.“Itgotusmoreinvolvedwiththegreatergood.”

fond memory:“[NAIT]PresidentGeorgeCarter[1971-79]retiredtheyearIwasthere.Iwasthestudentrepinvolvedintheselectionofanewpresident.Ifoundthatverypowerful.Therewerepeopletherefromtheministry,fromthefaculty,fromtheunion.Idon’tthinkIcontributedmuch,butjustbeingthere?Thatwaskindofcool.”

Glenn mason (Management’85,Marketing’86)AssistantdeputyministerCanadianForestServiceNaturalResourcesCanadaOttawa

why he ran:“IhadbeeninvolvedinstudentpoliticsinhighschoolandsoIhadanaturalinclinationtobeengagedinpublicpolicy.”

Big challenge:MasonsawasignificantculturalgapbetweentradesprogramsandtherestofNAIT.“Tohaveacohesiveidentitywasabitofachallenge.Itmadeittoughertofindcommonissuesandgetpeopleexcitedaboutcommonissues.”

life lesson:Beingpresidenttaughthimaboutleadership.Today,“I’mabletoprovideavision,andgetpeopleexcitedaboutavision.ButIfullyunderstandthatI’mnotthepersonthat’sgoingtodeliveronitandIneedotherpeople.Whataleaderneedstodoisinspireothers.”

“ JUst beIng there? that Was kInd of cooL.”

1972-73

1979-80

1985-86

douG popowich (PlasticsEngineeringTechnology’96,Management’01)Presidentandco-ownerPlasticsPlusLtd.,Edmonton

why he ran:Likemanypresidents,PopowichwasinvolvedwithNAITSAtheyearbeforehisterm.Heranfollowingayearasathleticsvice-president.

Big issue:Popowichrememberstheclimateasoneofoptimistictransition.NAITpresidentDr.StanSouchretiredandwasreplacedbyDr.SamShaw.Aswell,NAITSAbegancollectingfeesfromapprentices,“sotherewasasignificantjumpinrevenueforthestudent’sassociation.”

fond memory:Aspresident,“ImetJRShawandTedRogers–thecommunicationsgiants.IcalledJR‘Mr.Shaw.’‘Mr.Shaw,’hesaid,‘that’smydad’sname.’”

roxanne BeauBien (Marketing’91)Seniorcommunicationsadviser,RCMP,Ottawa

why she ran:Beaubienwasnever“opentoanything”inhighschool.AsaNAITstudent,however,andfollowingahealthissuethatmotivatedhertocontribute,herattitudechanged.“Whatcouldithurt?ItturnedoutthatithadaprofoundimpactonmylifeandwhoIbecame.”

Big win:TheyearprecedingBeaubien’stermbrought

controversythatculminatedintheresignationoftheNAITSApresident.Withthe“chaos”behindthem,“theexecutivecametogethertoaccomplishalotintheyearthatIwaspresident.Havingateamthatworkedwelltogether–andbeingpartofcreatingthat–bredsuccessforyearstocome.”

life lesson:NAITSApointedBeaubientowardacareerinjournalism–shesawitsimpactongeneratingpositivechangebycreatingawareness.Sheconsidereditapublicserviceandrecognized“thevalueofmakingthatyourlife’swork.”

“I met Jr shaW and ted rogers – the commUnIcatIons

gIants.”

“ It had a ProfoUnd ImPact on my LIfe and Who I became.”

“What a Leader needs to do Is InsPIre others.”

1990-91

1996-97

v7.2 2014 47

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timothy JoBs (Management’11)Researchandpolicyanalyst,deputyminister’sofficeatServiceAlberta,Edmonton

why he ran:Asamaturestudent,Jobswaskeentogetinvolved.HestartedoutinthesenateafterhewasapproachedbyNAITSAtorunforaspot.

Big win:IncooperationwiththeAlbertagovernment,Jobs’sexecutivecreatedtheServingCommunitiesInternshipProgram,whichgivesstudentsworkexperiencewiththeprovince’snon-profitsector.

life lesson:Jobscreditshistermwithgivinghimthecriticalthinkingskillsnecessary“totakecomplexproblemsandunderstandthemveryquickly...andthendrivetosolutionsbybeingcollaborative.”

dexx williams (ComputerSystemsTechnology’04)Policeofficer,EdmontonPoliceService;ownerofUniqueProfitSystemsInc.,Edmontonwhy he ran:WilliamswasawriterfortheNuggetstudentnewspaper,sowaswellacquaintedwithissues–studenthealthbenefits,forexample–hefeltweregoingunaddressed.

“IthoughtIcouldbepartofateamtomakeadifference.”

GoVind pillai (Accounting’09,BusinessAdministration’12)Financialanalyst,Telus,Edmonton

why he ran:Pillaioncegotbyondoing“thebareminimum.”AninstructorinaNAITleadershipcoursefinallyshowedhimthevalueofforesight.“Thefirststepformewas,‘MaybeI’lltrythestudentgovernancethingout.Maybeit’snotjustfornerds.’”

Big win:Toboostinvolvementinstudentissues,WilliamsspearheadedthecreationofanelectedstudentsenatetooverseeNAITSA–and“tobeabletoputontheirresuméthattheywereasenaterepresentative.”

life lesson:Competinginterestsofstudents,instructorsandNAITadministrationcalledforcompromises.“Tolistenandthencomeupwithasolutionthatbenefitspeopleonbothsideshashelpedmeinmypersonallife,andalsoasapoliceofficerandasabusinessowner.”

fond memory:PillaikeptaphotoofhisteamandtheNAITexecutivesigninganagreement–aboutadecadeinthemaking–thatcoveredeveryaspectofNAITSAoperations.Previously,theuncertaintycausedstrainedrelationsbetweenthegroups.

“Puttingtheinkonthatpaperwasanewstart.”

life lesson:Pillaidiscoveredtheimportanceoftimemanagementandsheerresolve.“Inthosemomentswhenyou’reswamped,NAITtaughtmethatyoucanstillachievemore,yourpotentialisstillgreater.”

“maybe It’s not JUst for nerds.”

2004-06

2010-11

2011-12

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v7.2 2014 49

as soldiers return from afghanistan, many may

want to return to civilian life – a manoeuvre

some see as the toughest of their careers.

for help, Kevin Dunsford turned to nait.

story by eliza Barlow

Photos by Blaise Van malsen

operationfresh start

50 techlifemag.ca

comparedtothelifeoftheenlisted.Thechangewasboundtoposechallenges,butDunsfordwasconfidenttheskillshe’dhonedintheForceswouldhelphimpursueaneducationleadingtoanewcareerandfinancialstabilityforhisfamily.

“Inthemilitary,Igotcommendations.Igotpraiseallthetime,”hesays.“Itoldmyself,‘Youcandothis.’”

NAITrecognizedDunsford’scommitment.HeenrolledaspartofaspecialinitiativeaimedatprovidingeducationalopportunityforcurrentandformermembersoftheCanadianmilitary.

“Youcan’tjustgetoutandapplyyourskillsbecausealotofthecivilianorganizationsdon’trecognizethem.Peoplelikemehaveallkindsofexperience.You’realeader,andyouwanttoberecognizedforit,”Dunsfordsays.“That’swhyIwantedtogotoschool.”

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kevin dunsford admitshiscourseload“terrified”himattimes.Butwhenthegoinggottough,healwayscamebacktoacomfortingrefrain:“At

leastthere’snobodyshootingatus.”Rememberingwhathe’dbeenthroughin

AfghanistanandBosniaduringhis13-yearmilitarycareerhelpedDunsfordcopewithanewmid-lifechallenge:becomingacollegestudentpost-40,whenheenrolledinNAIT’sBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement(BTech)program.

Asasoldier,lifemovedaccordingtoarigidschedulethatgovernedwhenheate,trainedandrested.Proceduredictatedhowhewastoperformhisdutiesandhisplaceinthemilitaryhierarchy.

Thetransitiontocivilian,andstudent,wasn’teasy.Theself-directednatureofpost-secondaryeducation,whilesomewhatstructured,ispracticallyanarchistic

–KEVINDUNSFORD (BACHELOROFTECHNOLOGYINTECHNOLOGYMANAGEMENT’13)

“you’rE A lEAdEr, And you WAnt to

bE rEcoGnizEd for it. thAt’s

Why i WAntEd to Go to school.”

v7.2 2014 51

Since2005,about100militaryorex-militarymembershavegonethroughNAITeachyear.ButwiththecloseofCanada’smissioninAfghanistanthisspring,numberscouldincreaseasmoresoldiersseektotakeadvantageofAlberta’sprosperityandembarkonnewcareersoutsidethemilitary.

dunsford joined the forcesin1998andworkedhiswayuptotherankofcorporal.Asacombatengineer,disarmingandneutralizingexplosiveswasoneofhismainresponsibilities.

“Alltheexplosivesstuffismath.Youdon’tjustruninandthrowinablockofC-4andabuildingblowsupandthat’sit.”

Hewouldhappilyhaveremainedasoldierforlifebutyearsofgruellingmilitarytrainingdrills–marathonrucksackmarches,MountainManraces–tooktooheavyatoll.Thecartilageinhishipsstartedtodeteriorate.In2006,hewassentoffthefieldduringwinterexercisesinWainwrightbecausehewas“limpinglikeanoldman.”Hismedicalreleasecamein2011.

Themilitaryagreedtokeephimonatadeskjobforthreeyearsbut,astheendofthattermloomed,Dunsfordworriedhowhewasgoingtohelphiswifeprovidefortheirtwoboys,nowaged12andsix,withonlyasmallpension.

“Ipanicked,”hesays.“Ithought,‘OhmyGod,whatamIgoingtodonow?’”

Itwasfortuitousthatamilitary-sponsoredcareerseminartookplaceatNAIT.DunsfordwanderedthehallsduringbreaksandwalkedintotheBTechoffices.

Heknewthedegreeprogramwasforhim–hehadengineeringskillsandfiguredadegreewouldbringhimhigherearningpotentialaftergraduation.Buthelackedtheprerequisitetwo-yeardiploma.Manyveteransfacesimilarchallengesbecausetheydiffersogreatlyfromaveragestudents.Manyareintheirearly40s

andtendedtounderachieveinhighschool.They’releavingthemilitaryforavarietyofreasons,includingpost-traumaticstressdisorder.Butwithmilitarycareersbehindthem,they’rededicatedcollegestudentsandpridethemselvesonexcellenceintheircoursework.

“ActiveorretiringmembersoftheCanadianForcesoftencometouswithahighlyattunedtechnicalorleadershipskillset,”saysDr.NeilFassina,provostandvice-presidentacademic.“It’sapleasuretoworkwiththemtoenableapartoftheirtransitionfromactiveservicetoasecondcareerpath.”

JoeVarughese,BTechchair,reviewedDunsford’strainingrecordsandcommendations.HetookintoaccounttheleadershipandmanagerialskillsDunsfordpossessed,combinedwithelectricalengineeringcourseshehadtakendecadesearlieranddecidedtoadmithimintothethirdyearofthefour-yeardegreeprogram–thefirstex-militarystudenttobeadmittedthatway.

“Wesaid,‘We’llletyouin.It’suptoyoutoproveyoucanstay,’”saysVarughese.

dunsford wonderedwhathehadgothimselfinto–40hoursofhomeworkperweekandasignificantamountofself-guidedonlinestudy.ThisstudentlifemayhavebeensomethingexpectedbyhisyoungerclassmatesbutforDunsforditwasunexpected,andhard.“Forthefirsttwoweeks,Iwantedtoquiteveryday.”

“We saId, ‘We’LL Let yoU In. It’s UP to yoU to Prove yoU can stay.’”

–JOEVARUGHESE,CHAIRBACHELOROFTECHNOLOGYINTECHNOLOGYMANAGEMENT

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Hepersevered.Bytheendofhisfirstsemester,hehadfourAsandoneB.InMay2013,hegothisdegree,withhonours.

Withinsixmonths,DunsfordlandedajobasmanagerofSpraysulateInc.,anEdmonton-basedsprayfoaminsulationcompany,whereheputhisleadershipandteamworkskillstousehandlingprojectmanagementandlogistics.

“Iwaslookingforsomeonewithaneducationandlifeexperience,”saysBradKoopmans,vice-presidentofoperationsforSpraysulate.“Kevinismature,he’shonestandhe’sdisciplined.Hisattitudewaswhatsoldme–he’spositive,upbeatandnotscaredtotakeonanything.”

Thatincludesnewopportunities.Whenanothermanagementjobopenedupintheindustryjustafewmonthslater,hejumpedonit.“Itwasabetteropportunitytousemyeducation,”saysDunsford,who’snowwarehousemanageratPinnacleWestEnterprises,handlinginventoryandorderingforthesprayfoamandprotectivecoatingsmanufactureranddistributor.Heseesitastheperfectcombinationoftheskillsfromhisdegreeandastintinthemilitaryasa“storeman”inchargeofequipmentandtools.

In good comPanyCanadaCompanyisanot-for-profitadvocateformembersoftheCanadianForcesathomeandabroad.NAITisexploringapartnershipwiththeorganizationtohelpmilitarypersonneltransitiontothecivilianworkforcethrougheducation.Akeypartofthisinvolvesexaminingpriorlearningandexperiencethatcouldcountascredittowardavarietyofprograms.

LookIng for LeadersTheBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementdegree–Alberta’sonlyprogramofitskind–wascreatedtomeetindustrydemandfortechnology-mindedmanagers.Itoffersgraduatesofrecognizedtwo-yeardiplomas(or,aswasKevinDunsford’scase,equivalentknowledgeandexperience)theopportunitytoearnadegreethroughtwomoreyearsofstudy.Morethan95percentofgraduatesareemployedafterayearofcompletionandearnmedianstartingsalariesof$60,000.

Maj.ElizabethMozgala,divisionpersonnelselectionofficerat3rdCanadianDivisionSupportBaseEdmonton,saystheCanadianForceshopestokeepallitsreturningvets.Butsomemaychoosetoleave,giventhattroopsarenolongerbeingdeployedtoAfghanistan.

“Somejoinedtogotowarandnowthewarisover,”shesays.“Ithinkforsomemembersitischallenging.”

Dunsfordsaysbolsteringcredentialsiscrucialwhensoldiersreturntotheworldofcivilianwork.

“Peoplewillbelookingforjobs,butalsolookingforaneducation,”hesays.

WhileDunsfordisoptimisticabouthisfuture,headmitshe’sstilllearningtodealwiththeuncertaintythatcomeswithlifeoutsidetheCanadianForces.

Lifeasasoldiercouldbestressful,evenmiserable,attimes.YetDunsfordfoundcomfortintheknowledgethatthemilitarywouldalwaysbethereandthattheorganizationitselfwouldgoonforever.

Ofcourse,itdidn’tgoonforeverforhim.Nonetheless,beinginthecivilianworkforce,wherecompaniescanactuallyfail,changeorceasetoexist,istoughforhimtogethisheadaround.It’snowarzone,butwheneverhefeelsuneasy,hisoldrefrainserveshimwell.

BenjaminStasiukenlistedat18andspentfiveyearsinthemilitary,includingafive-monthtourinAfghanistan,beforeleavinglastApril.Now24,hesayshedidn’tseeafutureforhimselfintheForcesandwonderedwhatelsewasoutthere,particularlywithAlberta’shighdemandfortrades.

Worriedabouthowhewasgoingtopayforhishouseandtruck,StasiukstartedlookingintodifferentcareersandfoundafitwithPowerEngineeringTechnology.

His78-percenthighschoolaveragewasjustenoughtosqueakin.Now,hehasa4.0GPAandscored86.7percentonhislastticketexam.

“Istudyalotnow,andpeopleask,‘Howdoyoudothat?’IjustthinkbacktoallthethingsI’vebeenthrough.I’mnotsloggingthroughmud.Igettosleepinmyownbedeverynightandbrushmyteetheveryday.Idon’thavetogoaweekortwowithoutashower.Iappreciatethelittlethingsnow,andthat’swhatgetsmethrough.”

comfort of the

cLassroom

52 techlifemag.ca

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culinait

54 techlifemag.ca

the century hospitality group has succeeded in edmonton by operating like a chain in almost every way but the experience it offers diners. to make it work, chef Paul shufelt learned to walk the line between corporate and creative.

chain reactIon

story by omar mouallem | Photos by Blaise Van malsen

v7.2 2014 55

it’s an houruntiltheParlourstaffservesitsfirstdinersbutyoucouldn’ttellfromthemissingbaseboards,theserversstillpractisingplating,thecontractorstrudginginandoutofthesnow,withthedetail-orientedpresidentandowner,ChrisLachance,closebehind.Andthedrilling.Itscreechesfromeverycornerofthe

modernItalianeatery,reverberatingoffcentury-oldbrick,vinyldamask-printedwalls,andmufflingchefPaul Shufelt’swordsasheadmirestheviewfromtheloft.

“It’slikewatchingachildgrowfrominfancy,”hehalf-yells.“Nowtherealworkbegins.”Shufelt(Cook’01)iscoolandheshouldbe.ThedowntownEdmontonrestaurantishissixthin10years

withCenturyHospitalityGroup,Lachance’sbrainchild.Intwomonths,they’llhaveopenedyetanotherwithHart’s,ahipneighbourhoodeatery.LiketheParlour,itseatsroughly150,whichisquitebigforalocallyownedrestaurant.ButbigishowEdmontonlikesit,soCenturydelivers.Eachofthegroup’supscalecasualconceptsmightbedistinctbutthegrouphasthebuying,trainingandadvertisingpowerofachain.SobynowShufelt,corporatechefandmanagingpartner,hasamethod.Tonight’sdryrunforVIPsandlongstandingcustomers–just150ofthe10,000mouthsCenturyfeedseachweek–ispartofthatmethodbutit’salsoaboutrewardingtheloyaltycriticaltoitssuccess.

AsShufeltdescendsthestairstotheopenloungeheturnstohissous-chef,Tony Le(CulinaryArts’03).“Youguysareallset,right?Carlo”–hecallstoCarloRaillo,theNaples-raisedcertifiedpizzaiolobesidethewood-fireoven–“goodtogo?Infiveminutesmeetmeinthediningroomforapre-shiftpeptalk.”

Afterthestafffunnelsinforalast-minutehuddle,andmanagingpartnerDavidOzubkogoesoverthebasics–“havefunwithyourcustomers,”“takeconstructivecriticism,”“writeallergiesdownclearly”–Shufelt,inablackchef’scoatembroideredwithhisname,takesover.

“Thisprocesshasbeenoverayearinthemaking,”hebegins.“TheCenturyHospitalityGroupmachineisgoingtodoallthatitneedstodotogetpeoplethroughthesedoorsbutitcanonlydosomuch.It’suptousintheroomtomakesurethattheycomeback.Itstartstonight.”

culinait

this year,the36-year-old,broad-shouldered,stubble-facedchefmarkstwodecadesinthekitchen.Shufeltstartedasa16-year-olddishpigatanaubergeoutsideMontreal,andquicklyclimbedtherankstosous-chef.Today,he’sEdmonton’smostrecognizablecelebritychef,overseeingeightofthecity’shippestestablishments,allundertheCenturybanner,withaweeklycookingcolumnintheEdmonton Sun,ablogontheHuffington Postandasemi-regularcookingsegmentonCityTV’sBreakfast Television.Thoughnotmajorityowner,he’sthefaceofthefoodforthegroupandparticularlyattentivetohisbrand.Butthepublicprofilehasn’tcompromisedhiskitchenskills,ashedemonstratedatthecity’s2013GoldMedalPlateawards,wherehispomegranate-braisedlambwontopprize.

Inventivedishesandpersonalbrandareonlyafractionofthereasonforhispopularity.Therestisattitude–inthekitchen,inthediningroom,intheboardroom–allofitlearnedfromthreementors.

Thefirst,aneccentric,Elvis-singingSlovakwhopromotedhimfromdishwashertocook,taughthimtheimportanceofloyalty.Once,afterthegeneralmanagerberatedyoungShufeltforbreakingdishes,thecheftoldthemanagerthatifheeverspoketooneofhisguys

likethatagainthewholekitchenwouldwalkout.“ThatstayedwithmeforeverandI’ddoanythingforthatchef,”saysShufelt.

Thesecondmentorwasata200-year-old,fifth-generationSwissguesthousewhereShufeltworkedaftergraduatingfromNAITwithhisRedSeal.ThatkitchenheadwasaformermilitarymajorwhomadeGordonRamsaylooklikeMr.Rogers.“Butnomatterhowbusywewere,howchaoticitwasbehindthescenes,he’dalwayswashhishands,takehisapronoff,andgooutandshakeeverycustomer’shand.”

ThelastmentorwasChrisLachance,thoughatfirsthewassomewhatofanadversary.

In2004,Shufelt,then26,hadjustbeenmadeexecutivechefofChance,agourmetdowntownEdmontonrestaurantthathadhiredhimayearpriorasgarde manger–keeperofthecoldkitchen.Nowthemenuwashis,andheloadeditwithfinediningfavouriteslikevealcheeks.Butitwasn’tenoughtofillseats.Chancewouldhavegreatlunches,decentdinnersandiffynights.Theproprietor,VincentLachance,calledinhisson,Chris,owneroftheupscalebutlessfussyandfarmorepopularCenturyGrill,tofixit.Instead,ChrisboughtitandrebrandeditLuxSteakhouse.

56 techlifemag.ca

“ PaUL takes hIs menU very PersonaLLy.”

– CHRISLACHANCE,OWNER,CENTURYHOSPITALITYGROUP

“Iwasayoungchefwithmyownmenu,puttingwhatIwantedontheplate,”recallsShufelt,“andherecomesChrissaying,‘No,thisiswhatEdmontonianswanttoeat.’AndI’mlike,‘Iamnotwrappingaf--kingbakedpotatoinaluminiumfoilandservingthat.’”Thenewowner,justafewyearshissenior,assuredhimhehadamodernconceptforLux.Hewasalsoveryclearaboutwhowasincharge.

“Paultakeshismenuverypersonally,”saysChrisLachance.“Icametohimandsaid,‘ThisiswhatIwanttodo–areyouinorareyouintheway?’”

Shufeltwasreluctantlyin.ButthreemonthslaterhehadnodoubtsabouthisfuturewithLachance.“Wewerepacked,soldouteveryweekend,talkofthetown.”ThesecretcamedowntoasinglesagesentenceLachancehadtoldhim:You can’t market to the mirror; you have to market to the masses.Overthenextdecade,thatwisdomwouldseeCenturygrowtoeightrestaurants,500employeesandoneofEdmonton’smostrecognizablerestaurantbrands.

century hospitality groupoperateslikeachainbutisn’tone.Itadvertisesasaggressivelyassomebig-boxrestaurantsanditseatsjustasmany,too(thebiggest,beerhallMKT,seats700).TomanyEdmontoniansthelogo–threewordsbetweentwocrescents–isasdistinguishableasthegoldenarches.Yeteachrestaurantisdistinct,aswellasconceived,designedandoperatedwithincitylimits.

JanetBertsch,aNAITmarketinginstructorandformerTravelAlbertaeditorwhocoveredafewCenturylaunches,thinksit’sonlynaturalthatitwouldsucceedinthissprawlingcitymorecomfortablewithchains.Edmontonians,shesaysare“educatedconsumersintermsofknowingthegoodchainsandbargainsbut,fundamentally,it’sstillarelativelyblue-collarmarket.Sopeopleherearemoreinterestedintherecognizedbrandnames,likeBostonPizza,whereyouknowwhatyou’regoingtogeteverytime.”

clockwise from top: the parlour specializes in wood-fired pizzas; a view of the main floor from the loft; the flavour is in the details, including fresh blackberries; shufelt chats with writer omar Mouallem.

v7.2 2014 57

Asaresult,EdmontonhasbecomefertilegroundforCanadianrestaurantchains.Earls,Joey’s,Famosa,BoosterJuiceand,yes,BostonPizza–theyallstartedhere.Century,saysBertsch,successfullyelicitsthefamiliarityofthosebrandsbutinsteadofthemenuanddecorbeingconstant,it’supscalehospitality.

“Thefoodmightbealittlebitdifferentateachrestaurant,”explainsShufelt,“buttheoverallexperienceshouldbeconsistent.You’regoingtobeinacoolroom,yourserversaregoingtobegood-lookingpeoplewithgoodpersonalities,thefoodwillbemadefromscratch.”

Hesaystheytrytotakeamiddleroad(“themenusare70percentconventional,30percentout-of-the-box”)butthemiddleroadalsohaslimitations.Ononehand,somecustomersstillmakerequestslikegarlictoastwiththehousemadefettucini,somethingthey’dneverdoata40-seatindependentrestaurant.Ontheotherhand,foodiesfrequentingtheboutiquerestaurantsmightnotsupportCenturybecauseit’stoo big.

“ there are no orIgInaL Ideas Left. It’s takIng bIts and PIeces of What yoU see and makIng It yoUr oWn.”

–PAULSHUFELT,CORPORATECHEFANDPARTNER,CENTURYHOSPITALITYGROUP

culinait

shufelt plates meals with sous-chef tony Le.

58 techlifemag.ca

“It’sfrustratinganddishearteningattimes,”saysLachance,“peopleseemtoforgetthat[we’re]proudEdmontoniansthatbothliveandraiseourfamilieshere.”

CenturyHospitalityGrouphasalsobeencalledcopycatsofwhatever’strendinginrestaurants,oneexamplebeingabbreviatednames.Inearly2012,afewmonthsbeforethelaunchofMKTFreshFood&BeerMarket(pronounced“em-kay-tee”),thecompanywascriticizedforinfringingonthenameofMRKT(pronounced“market”),apopularEdmontonrestaurantthatopenedtwoyearsprior.Then,whenMKTdidopen,thereweremutteringsthatithadknockedoffCalgary’sCraftBeerMarket.

“Idon’tlookatitassuchabigdeal–justpeoplegettingoverlyworkedupaboutnothing,”saysShufelt.“Inhindsight,wemayhavesentsomebusinessdowntoMRKT.AndisCraftnotarip-offofaGermanbeerhall?Orarip-offofMarioBatali’sconceptinNewYorkfiveyearsago[Birreria]?”heasks.“Ihatetosayit,buttherearenooriginalideasleft.It’stakingbitsandpiecesofwhatyouseeandmakingityourown.”

every century conceptbeginsonChrisLachance’sphone,whereexisthundredsofphotosofrestaurants,meals,evenpiecesoffurnitureheencounterswhiletravelling.Thesearehisinspirations.Fromthere,hegoestoChris Kourouniotis(InteriorDesignTechnology’94),principalatCKDesignAssociatesInc.“Hemightbringme10picturesorjustoneword,”saysKourouniotis.“Heknowswhathewants,hejustneedsustomakeitcometolife.”

Sonofarestaurantowner,Kourouniotis’sspecialtyisrestaurants,soit’snowonderthateachnewCenturyroomissostronglybranded.Butthere’samajordifference:“Wedon’thavelocalrestaurateursthatspendwhatLachancespendsperfoot.Theywanttobeknownfortopquality,sotheydon’tlikequick,cheapspaces,andtheyarereligiousabouttheirhospitality.”What’smore,whenrelationshipswork,theystickwiththem.KourouniotispointsoutthatCenturyhasstayedwiththesamecontractorsforadecade.“[Lachance]isthemostloyalbusinessmanintown,”hesays.

ButwhereLachance’sloyaltyliesmostiswithEdmonton.Centuryhasdeclinedatleasttwodozenfranchiseerequestsfor

DeluxBurgerBar,Century’salacartegourmetdinerwithtwoEdmontonlocationsandathirdonthewayinthesuburbSt.Albert.Shufeltisn’tsureitwouldworkoutsidethecity.Intheuppermiddle-classneighbourhoodswhereDeluxisnowthereare30-minutewaitstogetatableforfour.YetwhentheyopenedalocationinWestEdmontonMallin2010,theycloseditshortlythereafter.Themajorityofpeoplewalkingthroughthemallwerenottheircustomers,hesays.“They’reout-of-towners.”

CouldDeluxworkinVancouver,Kelowna,Minnesotaorelsewhere?Probably,saysShufelt.“Butit’sgoingtotakealotofwork,ourbestpeoplebeingthere,gettingtoknowourcustomerssotheycanhavefaithinourbrand.”

AfewweeksaftertheParlour’sdry-run,thecustomer’sfaithisevidentlystrong.Theeveningsseemostoftheseatsfull,whileinthedaycontractorsrenovatethepatio,makingroomtofillanother10tablescomesummer.TheluncheshavebeenslowerasParlourmakesanameforitselfinanewarea,surroundednotbyofficetowersbutcondosandstudentresidences.Shufeltisn’tconcerned.“Lunchismoreofaword-of-mouththing,”hesays,“onehandshakeatatime.”

makes:24bites

prep time:20minutes

cooking time:10minutes

inGredients

450 g (1 lb) fresh goat cheese

30 ml (2 tbsp) heavy cream

Zest of 1 lemon

30 ml (2 tbsp) chopped fresh mint

salt and pepper to taste

125 ml (1/2 cup) flour

250 ml (1 cup) panko bread crumbs

3 eggs, whisked

60 ml (1/4 cup) milk

salt and pepper to taste

125 ml (1/2 cup) cranberry sauce

method

Inabowl,combinethegoatcheese,heavycream,lemonzest,mintandseasoning,untilahomogenousmixtureemerges.Usingyourhands,portionoutthegoatcheesemixtureintotablespoon-sizedballsandrollthemintoshape.

Assembleabreadingstation,startingwithseasonedflourinonebowl,whiskedeggsandmilkinanother,andpankobreadcrumbsinthefinalbowl.Onebyone,lightlydredgethegoatcheeseballsintheflour,shakeofftheexcess,thenmoveintotheeggwash,againshakingofftheexcess,andfinallyintothebreadcrumbs.

Afterthefirstbreading,repeattheprocess,omittingtheflourandbeginningwiththeeggwash.

Preheatadeepfryer(ordeeppotwithoil–alwaysuseextremecautionwhencookingwithoilonthestove)to170C(335F)andcookthegoatcheesebitesuntilgoldenbrownandwarmedthrough.

Servewithcranberrysaucefordipping.

[ ReciPe ]

v7.2 2014 59

Panko-cRusted goat cheese bites

Paul shufelt’s

sPaces

researcher adele boschma analyzes plant

root performance.

60 techlifemag.ca

when an oil and gas well sitereachestheendofitslifespan,thecompanyresponsibleisrequiredtoreclaimthesitesothat,intime,itblendsintothesurroundingforest.Todoso,andmeetGovernmentofAlbertareclamationstandards,oilandgascompaniesarepartneringwiththeNAITBorealResearchInstituteinPeaceRiver.

NAITresearchersaredevelopingpracticaltechniquesforindustrytoaddressthegrowingbacklogofwellsitesintheborealforest.Theuseofnativeborealplantsisakeypartofthesolution.TheNAITBorealResearchInstituteisresearchingthecollection,storage,germinationandplantingofhighpriorityspecies.

Asoflastfall,thisworkfoundanewhomeatan835-square-metrefacilityinPeaceRiver,500kilometresnorthwestofEdmonton.Thefacilityincludestwolaboratories,officespacefor15peopleandathree-baygreenhousethatfeaturescomputer-controlledhumidity,temperatureandlighting.

“There’snothingelseinnorthwestAlbertathatapproximatesaresearchgreenhouseorlab,certainlynotintheforestandreclamationareas,”saysHughSeaton,directoroftheBorealResearchInstitute.

Beforemovingintothe$4.4-millionfacility(fundedinpartbyAlbertaInnovationandAdvancedEducationandtheGovernmentofCanadathroughtheCanadaFoundationforInnovation)staffworkedatthreedifferentofficesinPeaceRiverandusedgreenhousesasfaras600kilometresaway.

Withouttested,reliabletechniquesforre-vegetatingconventionalandinsituoilandgassites,Seatonbelievesindustry,commercialgreenhousesandreclamationoperationswillstruggletomeetgovernmentstandards.“Thekeyisreplicatingwhatishappeningnaturallyintheforestsaroundwellsites,”hesays

— Frank Landry

WEll-APPointEd w o r K s p a c e

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5 ways

get invoLveDwith nait

five ways alumni can make a difference.

Helprecognizeoutstandingalumniachievements.NominatesomeoneforanAlumniRecognitionAward,honorarydegreeorDistinguishedFriendoftheInstituteAward.Recipientsarepubliclyrecognizedthroughaceremony,publicationsandthewallofhonour.Formoreinformationvisitnait.ca/alumniawardsornait.ca/awards.

TheAlumniCouncilsupportsalumni,studentsandNAITthroughavarietyofinitiativesandevents.VolunteermembersmakeanimpactontheNAITcommunityandformvaluablerelationshipswithfellowalumni.Formoreinformation,contactalumni@nait.caor780.471.8539.

volunteer make a gift get rewards save money recognize

Yourgiftcanhelptransformthelivesofstudentsandprovideyouwithacharitabledonationtaxcredit.Visitnait.ca/donatetogive.

SignupforaBMONAITMasterCardwithnoannualfeesandyoucanearnoneAirMilesrewardmileforevery$20spent.Bymakingapurchase,yousupporttheScholarshipEndowmentFundatnoadditionalcost.Signupatbmo.com/naitor1.800.263.2263.

JoinanaffinityprogramfordiscountsexclusivetoNAITgradsandhelpfundfuturealumniprograms.RequestaquoteonhomeandautoinsuranceavailablethroughTDMelocheMonnexatmelochemonnex.com/naitor1.866.258.3036.RequestaquoteontermlifeorhealthanddentalinsurancefromManulifeFinancialatmanulife.com/naitor1.888.913.6333.BothpartnersshareaportionoftheserevenueswithNAIT.

62 techlifemag.ca

there’s nothing sherry shaw-froggatt(Marketing’85,above)won’tdoforhermagazine,airdrielife.Shewritesarticles,sellsads,laysoutpages,directsphotoshoots,evenmusclesboxesoutofthedeliverytruck.Themagazineisherbaby,afterall.

Afterdecadesinthemediaindustry,themotheroftwoseizedherdreamtenyearsagoandlaunchedairdrielifeinheradoptedhometownofAirdrie,Alberta.Today,themagazinecontinuestogrow,tellingpositivestoriesandchampioningthelocalartscommunityinroughly100glossypagesfourtimesayear.Iteventurnsaprofit–nosmallfeatintheailingprintmediaindustry.

long before mad men,Iwantedtoworkinanadagency–themostglamorousjobintheworld.Anadexectoldourgraduatingclass,“Ifyouwanttoworkinadvertising,goworkattheDraytonValleynewspaper.”IchoseapaperintheMannville-Vermilionarea,whereIdideverything–layout,sellingads,coveringfiresat3a.m.–thensentmyresumétotheadexecandtoldhim,“Ididwhatyousaid,nowhireme.”Hedid.

Publishing involves many roles. sherry shaw-froggatt does them all.after i moved to the calgary area,IfreelancedfortheCalgary Herald’sspecialsections.Oneday,IrealizedIjustcouldn’twriteonemoreofthosearticles–Igotbored.IlookedaroundandrealizedIwasinacity–Airdrie–thatwasbooming.IapproachedtheCityofAirdriewithmyideaforamagazine.Quitequickly,ittookonalifeofitsown.Fromthestart,we’vehadaworkingpartnershipbutI’veowneditoutrightsincedayone.

i run the whole thing out of my home.Iamguiltyofworkinginmypajamasuntilnoon,orI’llgetanideaat1a.m.andhavetogetupandgetitoutofmybrain.Everyonewhoworksforme–freelancewriters,photographers,aneditor–isoncontract.

don’t run a magazine to get rich.Mybudgetsarereallytight.Butwithmyhomeoffice,Ihavenooverhead.AndAirdriehasseenphenomenalgrowthsinceIstartedthemagazine.IwouldalsosaythefactthatIhavebeensoactivelyinvolvedinthecommunitymeansIcanmakeinroadswithpotentialadvertisers.NAITgavemetheentrepreneurialedgeIneededtocreatemyownsuccess.

we only do the good stories,becauseIthinkthat’swhatpeoplewant.There’senoughofthenegativestuffoutthere.

As told to Eliza Barlow

life in PRint

publisher - Salary:$75,000+;Hours:40hrs/week,minimum;Location:Newspaperandmagazineoffices,homeoffice;Training:Businessdiploma,sales,marketingandwritingexperience

Job descRiPtionP

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acclaim

v7.2 2014 65

wait, there’s

moRe!Elaine McKay(DentalAssistingTechnology’86)recentlyreceivedtheBettyCoppAchievementAwardfromtheCanadianDentalAssistantsAssociation.

ProductiondesignerTodd Cherniawsky(ArchitecturalTechnology’88)wona2014ArtDirectors’Guildawardforcommercial,PSA,promoandmusicvideo.

NAIT’sBecoming a Master InstructorprogramearnedagoldawardfromtheCanadianSocietyforTrainingandDevelopment.

ThisFebruary,Ellen Hughes,deanoftheSchoolofHealthSciences,earnedtheErnestManningLeadershipMedallion–thehighestrecognitionavailabletoaNAITemployee.

JRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorTed noakeswonfor2013’sbestfinancialmarketforecastattheEdmontonCharteredFinancialAnalystSociety’sannualforecastdinner.

Blair LebsackgotevenmorelovefromAvenuethisMarch,whenthemagazinenamedhisrestaurantRGERDEdmonton’sbest.

The2013EdmontonMusicAwardsnamedOneDayLateanartisttowatch.ThebandincludesguitaristsKyle Ginn(BusinessAdministration’13)andDustin Gruninger(HumanResourcesManagement‘10,BusinessAdministration’12).

WEb EXTraVisittechlifemag.ca/one-day-late.htm foraninterviewwithGinnandasongsample.

and the winneR Is...recent awards and accolades for naIt staff, students and alumni.

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aLberta’s best bUsIness PersonForhelpingtogrowPeaceHillsInsuranceintoa$200-million,200-personoperationsincebecomingitsCEOin1990,Diane BricknerwasnamedAlberta’sbusinesspersonof2013byAlberta Venturemagazine.BricknerhasalsoshownconsiderableleadershipasamemberofNAIT’sBoardofGovernorssince2010.“It’saninspiringstoryofauniqueleader,”editorMikeGanleywroteofherpathtosuccess.

toP thRee ThreegradshavebeennamedexceptionalcommunityleadersinAvenuemagazine’s2013Top40under40list.nathin Bye(CulinaryArts’02)isLazia’saward-winningcorporatechef.Blair Lebsack(Cook’00)isconnectingEdmontonianstolocalproducersthroughhisrestaurantRGERD.AndTerry Whittingham’s(ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’99)decisiontoquithisprojectmanagementjobandstarthisowncompanyhaspaidoff:he’snowpresidentofthesuccessfulKellerdenaliConstruction.

fab fouRAlumniearnednodsinEdmontoniansmagazineaspartofthe2013Sizzling20under30includingShant Chakmakian(ComputerNetworkAdministration’05,NetworkEngineeringTechnology’11,BachelorofAppliedInformationSystemsTechnology’12),thelateDavid adomako-ansah(RadioandTelevision’13),Rayanne Forbes(RadioandTelevision’08)andJacob Pelletier(CulinaryArts’06).Thesefourwerehonouredforbeingself-starting,hard-workingentrepreneursandcommunityvolunteers.

aRt and scIenceMakingfactsfascinatingisanartatwhichauthorJoan Marie Galat(BiologicalSciencesTechnology’84)excels.In2013,herchildren’sbookThe Discovery of LongitudewonasilvermedalattheinternationalMoonbeamChildren’sBookAwardsandtheWriters’GuildofAlbertaR.RossAnnettAward.Thebookfocusesonthe18thcenturyracetoinventtechnologytodetermineeast-westlocationatsea.

WEb EXTraVisittechlifemag.ca/joan-marie-galat.htmforaninterviewwithGalatandthetrailerforThe Discovery of Longitude.

(Seep.25formoreonGalat.)

canada’s best, baR none

Rebecca Grant(CulinaryArts’08,Management’13)hasbuiltherVioletChocolateCo.intoEdmonton’sgo-tosourceforsmall-batch,uniquelyflavouredtreats.ThisSeptember,shereceivedbroaderrecognitionattheCanadianNationalCompetitionleadinguptotheannualInternationalChocolateAwards.Grant’sHoneyRosemaryBarearnedagoldmedal.

WEb EXTraVisittechlifemag.ca/violet-chocolate.htmformoreaboutGrantandherrecipefordarkchocolatebrandytruffles.

PIctUre PeRfectInstructorandprofessionalshooterIan Grant(PhotographicTechnology’80)earnedseveralrecentawardsfromtheProfessionalPhotographersofCanada.InJanuary2013,hetoppedtheArchitecturalandIllustrationcategoriesforAlberta;inMay2013,hewasnamedout-of-provincephotographeroftheyearfortheAtlanticchapter.ThisFebruary,heearnedtwomoreawardsforIllustration(left)andIndustrialphotography.Grantwaselated:“Iamlikealittlekidwhojustwonaredribbonattheannualschooltrackmeet,”hewroteinhisblog.

Rewind

66 techlifemag.ca

encana.com

Leveraging knowledge for successSince 2010, Encana has invested more than $22 million in initiatives that support community life, education, and environmental stewardship in Alberta.

Themastheadchangestowhatyouseetoday.

of WIsdomwhen it was firstpublishedonJan.1,1964,NAIT’sstudentnewspaperfeaturedclubnewsandthishandwrittenmessage:“Weneedanameforournewspaper.”Itssecondissueaskedstudentswhattheywantedtoread.Today,morethan1,000issueslater,theNuggethasclearlydeclareditspurpose:toservetheneedsofstudentsbutalsotobeahistorianforthepolytechnic,whichiswhatthepaper’sstaffhasalwaysdone–ifnotonpurpose–coveringeverythingfromclubeventsandcouncilupdatestosportsandstudentopinions.“Yougetaflavourofhowstudentsarethinkinganditvariesfromdecadetodecade,”says NuggetproductionmanagerFrankMacKay.“It’sprettyvaluable.”Here,techlifelooksat50yearsofgrowth.

— Linda Hoang

WEb EXTraVisit techlifemag.ca/nugget-history.htmtoseehowtheNugget’smastheadhaschangedovertime.

Despitestrugglingtoattractstudentwriters,theNuggetreachesits100thissue.

Front-pageheadline“BoozerLosers,CostofKlein’sDrunkenBingestoSoar”catchestheattentionofthe

premier’soffice,whichcallstheheadline“actionable.”Theissueisrecalledandtheeditor-in-chiefprintsanapology.

TheNugget’s1,000thissuehitsthestands.

StudentwritersareremindedthattheNugget’spurposeistoshow“whatwasgoingonatthetimestudentswereatschool,”saysChris Chelmick(Marketing’96)executivedirectoroftheNAITStudents’

Association,ownerofthepaper.“Itaddsgravitytotherole.”

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

Thefirstnamedissueispublished.Thechoiceisnotexplainedbutmayhavebeenconnectedtothepopular

KlondikeDays,whichbeganinEdmontonaroundthistime.

Thefirstissueofthepaperispublishedwithoutaname,andasksforsuggestions.

Thefirstadsappear,oneforaninsurancecompany,anotherforabank.TheNuggetgeneratesrevenuesolelyfromads.

TheNuggetgetsitsfirstemailaccount,nugget@oanet.com.

TheNuggethiresitsfirstonlineeditor,loggingonwithwww.thenuggetonline.com,whereitarchivespastissues.

TheNuggetmarksits50thanniversary.

Jan. 1, 1964: No Name April 2, 1964: New Name

May 6, 1965: Ads runDec. 10, 1971: Still here!

Jan. 27, 1994: Controversial headline

Nov. 21, 1996: email arrives

2008: On the web

Oct. 14, 2010: 1,000 Nuggets

Sep. 6, 2012: New lookNov. 2013: NAIT hIsTorIANs

Today: Still going Strong!

Issuesbeginprintingincolour.

1999: Not so black aNd white

April 1, 1985: April Fools!

Thefirstspoofissueofthe Nuggetisprinted–theFuggit–andincludesfakeheadlines“SecretTimeDistortionExperiments

DiscoveredatNAIT”and“Scandal:NAITSAOverBudget!$150,000.”

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