ACEC-BC announces new board of directors

VANCOUVER — A new board of directors was elected by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – British Columbia (ACEC-BC) at its recent annual general meeting and members adopted a new charter and bylaws.

Suzanne Powell, a professional engineer and principal and branch manager at Thurber Engineering Limited on Vancouver Island, was installed as chair.

Also on the board are Brian Yates (Stantec) as vice chair, Tanya Sadlo (McElhanney) as secretary and Richard Bush (Binnie) as past-chair.

ACEC-BC’s president and CEO Caroline Andrewes will serve on the executive committee in an ex-officio capacity.

In addition to Powell and Matt Gellis (Northwest Hydraulic Consultants) who were re-elected at the AGM, ACEC-BC members elected four new directors including Imran Gehlen (AECOM), Erin Martin-Serrano (Hedgehog Technologies), Christopher Scollard (Kiewit Engineering Group Canada) and Hannelie Stockenstrom (SNC-Lavalin).

Continuing directors were also recognized by members for their service.

Joining the new chair and newly elected directors are returning directors Joe DiPlacito (Ram Consulting), Jay Rao (exp), William Johnston (WSP) and Ian Steele (PBX Engineering).

The board also appointed four directors for a one-year term including Genevieve Brown (Northwest Hydraulic Consultants), Lillian Siu (Associated Engineering), Tim Stanley (Stratice Consulting) and Jeff McLellan (BFL Canada).

Members unanimously adopted new governance documents including an updated constitution and bylaws and a new Charter of Membership during the AGM.

While bylaw updates were largely procedural, the new Charter of Membership better reflects the standards of membership set by the current board including a commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous people and to actions addressing climate change, indicates a release, adding the charter retains past commitments to professionalism, qualification-based selection and investment in the next generation of professionals.

In their reports to members at the AGM, the executive reinforced the principal of better together by sharing performance highlights from the past year that support a healthy and diverse industry including actions related to regulation, policy and legislative consultation, and investment in B.C. communities, adds the release.