It’s tIme to put liver and

onions back on

the menu

naIt’s best-kept

secret hangout ways to

build your network

9

Hint: Edmonton is open for business, says JamEs Cumming

Why startup starAshif MAwjistays put

how to wrIte your twesume, p. 20

Who are we?We are the world’s largest oilfield services company1. Working globally—often in remote and challenging locations—we invent, design, engineer, and apply technology to help our customers find and produce oil and gas safely.

Who are we looking for?We’re looking for high-energy, motivated individuals who want to begin careers as Field Specialists or Maintenance Technicians. In these positions, you’ll apply your technical expertise and troubleshooting skills to ensure quality service delivery.n Do you want a high level of responsibility early and the opportunity

to make a real difference on the job?n Are you interested in an unusual career with a sense of adventure?n Do you hold an associate’s degree or diploma in a relevant technical

discipline or have equivalent formal military training?

If the answer is yes, apply for a position as a Maintenance Technician or Field Specialist.

Apply at careers.slb.comGo to Students and Recent Graduates, Engineering, Research, and Operations. Then select the Maintenance Technician or Field Specialist option to make your application.

What will you be?

careers.slb.com

>120,000 employees>140 nationalities~ 85 countries of operation

years of

innovation85 CAREERS IN ENGINEERING, RESEARCh AND OpERATIONS

1 Based on Fortune 500 ranking 2011. Copyright © 2013 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.

ESSENTIAL TO STUDENT SUCCESSImperial Oil Foundation Supports NAIT Chemistry on CampusSince 2008, the Imperial Oil Foundation has provided junior and senior high school students with hands-on learning through NAIT’s Chemistry on Campus Program Sponsored by the Imperial Oil Foundation. To date, the Program has delivered 200 workshops to over 3,400 students. Sessions take place in NAIT’s state-of-the-art chemistry labs.

Chemistry on Campus aims to increase student awareness of chemistry in science, technology and society, while promoting careers within the fi eld. Young people gain valuable chemistry experience in a cutting-edge learning environment that may not be available in their own school labs.

A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

nait.ca

tAble of contentstAble of contents

4 techlifemag.ca

techlife > contents

cover photo By BlaisevanMalsen

on the cover20 how to write your

twesume

32 why ashif mawji stays put

46 hint: edmonton is open for business, says James cumming

48 9 ways to build your network

51 It’s time to put Liver and onions back on the menu

58 naIt’s best-kept secret hangout

technofile19 personal communication

Gidoandgrandsonarebroughtclosertogetherbyshared,decade-spanningcareers

20 how to make the most of social media in your Job huntTimetolearnhowtowriteatwesume

22 head gamesANAIT-developedvideogamepushesthelimitsofthemind

23 buried treasuresAtimecapsulesofancy,it’salmostashametoburyit

25 online supportRichelleSkrilecgetsonlineshoppers–andstores–givingback

innovate26 For the Love of the game

TheOoksareatthetopoftheirgame.Cantheirconferencekeepup?

32 build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Five easy stepsStartupexpertAshifMawjishowshowit’sdone

40 blood houndsEdmontonPoliceServicebacksupavitalcanineblooddonationprogram

PeoPle43 best in class

WepresenttheNAITcontingenttoWorldSkills–includingourfirst-evergoldmedalist

46 ceiling unlimitedThenewCEOoftheEdmontonChamberofCommerceJamesCumming

weighsinonthecity’sfuture

cUlinait51 no guts, no glory

HokansonChefinResidenceChrisCosentinoencouragesthenextgenerationofchefstofaceandembracecookingwiththewholeanimal

56 recipeChrisCosentino’shamhockandlentilsoup

63

v7.1 2013 5

dePartments6 the Latest from

techlifemag.ca

7 contributors

8 editor’s note

9 Feedback

11 connectionswith

thepresidentConstructionbeginsonNAIT’slargest-evercapitalproject

12 newsbytesRecentnewsfromtheinstitute

13 previewAninsidelookatemerginginnovations

15 3 QuestionsLeadershiptipsfromthetrenches

16 readingroomAnalumreinvigoratesCanadianclassics

48 ask an expert Thefineartofschmoozing

50 contestSignupforthetechlifemag.canewsletterforyourchancetowin

58 spacesThebestplaceoncampustowatchtheworldgoby–eightfloorsbelow

61 5 waysto get Involved with naIt

63 Job DescriptionYourcommutewouldn’tbethesamewithoutBobDunford

65 acclaimAward-winninggrads,staffandfriends

66 rewindAtreasurechestofmemoriesand,uh,condoms

alUmni featUred in this issUeDan bassett,InstrumentMechanic’97

rosario caputo,CulinaryArts’05

Daniel costa,CulinaryArts’05

grant craplewe,SheetMetalWorker’98

James cumming,ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’81

kai Dan,Management’13

sean Donnan,RefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanic’12

bob Dunford,CivilEngineeringTechnology’78

robert easton,Management’82

Joanne geisinger,Marketing’89

edward gutsche,Management‘90

bruce hagstrom,CivilEngineeringTechnology’71

Lawrence Jacobs,CommunicationElectrician’66

brayden kozak,CulinaryArts’02

blair Lebsack,Cook’98

shauna Lesick,AnimalHealthTechnology’86

tiffany Linke-boyko,Management’07

kevin martin,PetroleumEngineeringTechnology’87

gord matthew,Management’87,Finance’88

ashif mawji,ComputerSystemsTechnology’92

keven mcghan,Finance’89

corey meyer,RetailMeatcutting’96

rose naqvi-parasynchuk,Accounting’99,BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration’03

mathew petruk,WirelessSystemsEngineeringTechnology’13

colin polanski,CommunicationElectrician‘87

Dan radovanovic,Machinist’11

Jim ripley,SheetMetalMechanic’81

tracey scarlett,MedicalLaboratoryTechnology’87

genevieve simms,ArchitecturalTechnology’12

richelle skrilec,Management’94

Fred thompson,Management’12

Lance torgerson,Management’95

Dan westgeest,ComputerNetworkAdministration’02,RetailMeatcutting’05,CulinaryArts’07

46 43

26 56

techlifeMAg.cA

Household HazardOnce,asbestoswastobuildingswhatbutteristobread,whichiswhyitmaybeinyourhome.Ifso,wehaverecommendations.

techlifemag.ca/asbestos-in-the-home.htm

Sweet SomethingsMoveovercupcakes,AmyNachtigall’sbringingbackthecookieinabigway.Here’swhy,howandarecipe.

techlifemag.ca/sugared-and-spiced-cookies.htm

Hot StuffWarminguptotheideaofanewfurnace?Weknowafewthingsyoushouldknow,too.

techlifemag.ca/furnace-replacement.htm

Wired for SoundForthoseabouttorock,analumhaslaunchedalineofreasonablypriced,high-endspeakers–maderightinEdmonton.

techlifemag.ca/adsum-audio.htm

Badminton’s BestHowdidKaiDangetsogoodwitharacquet?ThestoryofthemostdecoratedathleteinthehistoryofNAIT.techlifemag.ca/dan-kai-badminton.htm

Pop goes the restaurantNowyoueatit,nowyoudon’t.MithaleeRawatexplainsthepop-up.techlifemag.ca/pop-up-restaurants.htm

Never Regret a RenoOurguidetohelpingyougetthemostfromtherelationshipwithyourcontractor.techlifemag.ca/home-renovations-contractors.htm

Gardner on the RoofNAITandtheEnjoyCentrepartnertoelevateurbanagriculture.

techlifemag.ca/enjoy-centre-living-roof.htm

Retire on Time and on BudgetSoundslikeatoughjob?Itdoesn’thavetobe,ifyoufollowtherightadvice.

techlifemag.ca/retirement-planning-tips.htm

Betweenprintissuesoftechlifemagazine,wepostnewstoriesonlineattechlifemag.ca.Below,you’llfindasampleofwhat’savailable.Tostayintheknow–andregularlyreceivegreatcontent,includingrecipesandhow-tostories–signupforoure-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm(seep.50foroursubscriptioncontest).

the latest from techlifemag.ca

Ph

oto

s by

NA

It s

tAff

Ph

oto

gr

AP

her

s, I

sto

ck

Ph

oto

.co

m

6 techlifemag.ca

contRibUtoRs

techlifev7.12013

peopletechnologyinnovationtechlifemag.ca

editor SherriKrastelmanaging and online editorScottMessengerassociate editor KristenVernonart directorDerekLuedesignersDruDavids,TrinaKoscielnuk,JenniferLubrin,AndyOviatt,TinaTomljenoviccopy editorRuthGrenvillecirculation managerNicoleRose(Marketing’08)advertising managerLynnRyancontributing writers ElizaBarlow,FionaBensler,JenniferCockrall-King,HeatherGray,MichaelHingston,LindaHoang(RadioandTelevision‘11),RuthJuliebo,FrankLandry,NancyMcGuirecontributing photographers JohnBook(PhotographicTechnology’87),LeighFrey(PhotographicTechnology’01),JeanetteJanzen(PhotographicTechnology’10),BlaisevanMalsen,RothandRambergPhotography(PhotographicTechnology‘87)subscriptionsSendchangesofaddresstocirculation@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 25

RothandRambergPhotographywasestablishedin1993afterDale rothandmichele ramberggraduatedfromtheNAITPhotographicTechnologyprogramin1987.Theyformedabusinessplanoneeveningoverbeerandpizza.Theplanwassimple:workashardastheycouldandhavealotoffundoingit–liketheydidshootingsocialentrepreneurRichelleSkrilecforthisissueoftechlife.Overtheyears,they’veestablishedanimpressiverosterofclientsincludingBechtel,Bell,CalgaryZoo,CNRail,Enbridge,McDonald’s,Newfoundland&LabradorTourism,Pratt&Whitney,Rona,Syncrude,TransaltaandTravelAlberta.

PAGE f 51

Asalittlegirl,Dru Davidssatatthesideofhermother’saerobicsclassandcreatedfridgemasterpiecesforeveryone.Today,shespendsherdaysasagraphicdesigneratNAITandhereveningsteachingZumbaclasses.Anavidcookandfoodlover,DavidswasexcitedwhenChrisCosentinowasnamedNAIT’s2013HokansonChefinResidence.Inadditiontodesigningthefeatureabouthisvisit,sheattendedaluncheonpreparedbyCosentinoandtheculinarystudents.“Thefoodhadheartandsoul,”shesays,“andwasbeautifullypresented–everythingIstrivetodeliverwithmydesign.”

PAGE f 20

Linda hoangthinksit’samazingherhobbyhasbecomeherjob.BeforejoiningNAITthisyearasadigitalcommunicationsspecialist,HoanghandledwebandsocialmediaforCTVEdmonton.NowshepoststoNAITsocialmediachannelsincludingFacebook,Twitter,InstagramandPinterest.Shealsowritesstoriesfortechlife,includingthisissue’sguidetousingsocialmediainyourjobhunt.TheNAITRadioandTelevisiongrad(classof

’11)hasajournalismdiplomafromMacEwanUniversityandhaswrittenforseverallocalpublications.Whennottweeting,pinningandsoon,Hoanglovesfood,catsandexploringEdmonton.

PAGE f 61

Youmaynotseeherbyline,butnicole roseplaysakeyroleintechlife–andinnurturingthelinkbetweenNAITandits179,000graduates.Asanadvancementrelationsofficer,shebringstheirstoriestotheeditorialteamandpens5Waystoconnectalumniwiththeinstitute.“OnceyougraduatefromNAIT,”saysRose,“you’reamemberofthecommunityfortherestofyourlife.”She’soneofthem:Marketing’07.Inhersparetime,Roseisanaccomplishedhulahoopdancer.CatchaRosehipHoopclassoncampusandelsewhere.

Web ExtraLearnafewhulahooptricksfromNicoleRoseat

techlifemag.ca/hula-hoop.htm.

v7.1 2013 7

eDitoR’s note

newchamberofcommercebossJames CummingbelievesEdmontonisagreatplaceforbusiness.Sodoesentrepreneurashif mawji.Andifthetwoofthemhaveanythingtodowithit,thecitywillsoonbeknownmoreasahotbedforstartupsthanagovernmenttownormeregatewaytotheoilandgasindustry.

Mawjiisaserialentrepreneurwithakeeneyeforopportunity.HesoldwatchesinNairobiasakid,andtodayistheCEOofNPOZero,providingservicestonon-profitsthathelpthemreducecosts.AnEdmontonsuccessstory,heiscommittedtohelpingcreatemoreofthesame,workingwithNAIT’sJRShawSchoolofBusinessonaplantomakeentrepreneurshiptrainingavailabletostudentsofallprogramsacrosstheinstitute(p.32).

FromhisvantagepointindowntownEdmonton,Cummingisfocusedonrecruitingskilledlabourandhelpingthecity’sentrepreneursfindglobalmarketsfortheirservicesandproducts(p.46).Heagreesthecity’spost-secondarieshaveanimportantroletoplayinprovidingtheeducationtopreparethem.BothheandMawjiaredeterminedtobuildconfidenceinthecity’sfutureasago-toplacefortheenterprise-minded.

Thisissuelooksatbusiness–largeandsmall.Richelle skrilechasbuiltauniquehome-basedbusinesscombiningcharitablegivingwithonlineshopping(p.25)and,inherroleasCEOofAlbertaWomenEntrepreneurs,tracey scarlettisworkingtobuildeconomicvalueandincreasethesuccessrateofstartupsbycreatingmututallybeneficialrelationshipswithbigbusinessandgovernment(p.37).

Ifyou’reinterestedinbusinessleadership,FountainTire’sBrent Hesje,SurewayConstruction’sBruce HagstromandRose naqvi-ParasynchukofCameronHomeshavespenttimeinthetrenchesandtheboardroomsandsharetheirinsightsandchallenges(p.15).

Finally,wecan’ttalkaboutthebusinessofbuildingEdmontonwithoutmentioningBob dunford.He’sbuiltacareerlookingafterthecity’sroads–keepingussafe,removingsnowandyes,fixingpotholes(p.63).

SherriKrastelEditoreditor@techlifemag.ca

“thE city will soon bE known morE As a hotbed

for startups thAn A GovErnmEnt town or

mErE GAtEwAy to thE oil And GAs industry.”

take oUr sUrveyFollowingeachissueoftechlife,wesurveyourreaderstomakesurewearedeliveringwhatyouwanttoread.Yourfeedbackisimportanttous.Takeourshortsurveyandhelpusmaketechlifethebesttechnologylifestylemagazineinthecountry.Investlessthan10minutestodayforabettertechlife tomorrow!

Visittechlifemag.ca/ survey.htm.

Ph

oto

by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN

8 techlifemag.ca

feeDbAck

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

connect with Us throUgh social media

share your comments with us on social media. We post photos, videos, news and tips from nait experts across several social media platforms daily and we want to hear from you. Use the hashtag #nait.

facebook.com/naitLikeusandcommentonpostsshowcasingstudent,staffandalumniachievements,campuslifeandphotogalleries.

nait.ca/vineFollow,commentandrevinevideosshowcasingcampuslifeandshorthow-tovideos.

youtube.com/techlifemagSubscribeforusefulhow-tovideos,includingcookingtechniques,gardening,budgetingandfitness.Shareandcommentonourvideos.

twitter.com/naitFollow,tweetandretweetourlinkstotechlifemag.caarticles,NAITnews,campuseventsandmore.

instagram.com/naitFollow,commentandlikephotosandvideosshowcasingcampuslife,#MotivationMondayquotes,#ThrowbackThursdayhistoricalphotosandmore.

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

SherriKrastel,Editor,techlifemagazine11762–106St.N.W.,Edmonton,ABT5G2R1

pinterest.com/naitFollow,commentandrepinrecipesfromtechlife,alumniandlocalbloggers,workouttipsfromtechlifemag.caandtipsforcareerandlife.

v7.1 2013 9

10 techlifemag.ca

Thanks to the generosity of our golf tournament sponsors, NAIT student athletes will benefit from funding that supports their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.

A leAding polytechnic coMMitted to StUdent SUcceSSph 780.471.6248 | www.nait.ca

cATfIsh coffee roAsTers INc. | The fAIrmoNT jAsper pArk lodge

sorreNTINo’s resTAurANT | supreme group | sysco edmoNToN

nait golf tournament sponsored by

CMYK colours: PMS 2756 PMS 7545

connections with the PResiDent

wearethrilled!ConstructionofthelargestcapitalprojectinNAIT’shistoryisunderway.

It’sgoingtotakeaboutthreeyearstocompletethefive-storey,51,000-square-metreCentreforAppliedTechnologies.Withstate-of-the-artclassroomsandsimulationlabsanda135-seatlecturetheatre,theprojectwillbetrulytransformativeforNAIT,EdmontonandAlberta.

ThisisgrowththatNAIT–andAlberta–needs.Itwillallowustoincreaseenrolmentby50percentinhealth,business,engineeringtechnologies,andsustainablebuildingandenvironmentalmanagementprograms–areasinwhichtheprovinceneedsskilledworkersnowandintotheforeseeablefuture.What’smore,thecentrewillletNAITbuildonwhatitdoesbest:hands-on,practicaleducation.Already,we’reknownasexpertsinteachingusingsimulation,allowingstudentstohonereal-worldskillsinsafe,controlledenvironments.Nowwe’retakingthatastepfurther.Simulationisthecentre’sraisond’être;itwillbeoneofthelargestsimulation-basededucationfacilitiesinCanada.

NAITisessentialtoAlberta.Itwascreatedtoservethisprovince.Thiscentrewillbringustoanewchapterinthatrelationshipbybetterenablingustodeliveron

built on A PRoMiseWeb ExtraSeefootageofthefirstofficialdayofconstructionofNAIT’slargest-evercapital

projectattechlifemag.ca/groundbreaking.htm.

ourfourguidingpromises.WepromisetomeetthecurrentandemergingneedsforpolytechniceducationinAlberta;topreparestudentsformeaningfulcareers;toproduceanexceptionalskilledworkforcealignedwithindustryneeds;andtoprovideanoutstandingworkplaceforourstaff.

Inshort,thecentreisabsolutelyvitaltoourlong-termvisiontobethemostrelevantandresponsivepost-secondaryinstituteinCanadaandoneoftheworld’sleadingpolytechnics.Wecouldn’tbehappierthattheGovernmentofAlbertahaschosentosupportthis.Ithascommitted$200millioninfundingforthecentreand,thissummer,evenhelpedusbreakgroundfortheproject(PremierAlisonRedford,incidentally,operatedtheexcavatorherself).

Forfivedecades,NAIThasgrownwithAlberta.I’mpleasedtosaythatitlookslikemuchmoreofthesameinthedecadestocome.

GlennFeltham,PhDPresidentandCEOglennf@nait.caP

ho

to b

y b

lAIs

e v

AN

mA

lseN

v7.1 2013 11

newsbytes

Ph

oto

s by

NA

It s

tAff

Ph

oto

gr

AP

her

s

12 techlifemag.ca

neW PRovostdr.neilfassinaisNAIT’snewprovostandvice-presidentacademic.PreviouslydeanoftheJRShawSchoolofBusinessandSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArts,Fassinasayshewill“championandrepresentNAITwithpride,dedication,innovation,energyandspirit.”

AlongwithaPhDinorganizationalbehaviourandhumanresourcesmanagement,Fassinabringsafocusonstrategyandpeopletotherole,wherehe’sresponsibleforleadingNAIT’sacademicmission.Priortojoiningtheinstitutein2011andbecomingprovostthisMay,hewasthedepartmentheadofbusinessadministrationwiththeAsperSchoolofBusinessattheUniversityofManitoba.

— Frank Landry

nait in Mexicoinjune,theinstitutecompleteditsfirstyearoftrainingformaintenanceworkersattheMulatosgoldmineinSonora,Mexico,forToronto-basedAlamosGoldInc.IgnacioGarcia,asenioraccountmanagerwithNAITCorporateandInternationalTraining,describestheprogramasacustomizedapprenticeshipinwhich36heavyequipmenttechnicians,20electriciansand36millwrightsdividedtheirtimebetweentheirjobsatthemineandclassesatanewlybuilt,NAIT-designedschoolinHermosillo,220kilometreswest,staffedbyNAITinstructors.“Youwalkinthereandyoualmostthinkyou’reinaNAITlab,”saysGarcia.

— S.M.

thisaugust,constructionoftheCentreforAppliedTechnologies–thelargestcapitalprojectinNAIT’shistory–officiallybeganwithagroundbreakingceremonyonMainCampus.AmongattendeeswerePremierAlisonRedfordandThomasLukaszuk,deputypremierandministerofenterpriseandadvancededucation.Reflectingthescaleofthe51,000-square-metreproject,Redfordbrokegroundwithanexcavator,operatingitherself.“Thereasonwe’llbesuccessfulinthisprovinceisbecausewecontinuetobuildtheinfrastructureandthecapacitytoensurethatskilledpeoplewillbeabletocontinuetoparticipateintheeconomy,”shesaidafterward.“NAIThasalwaysrespondedtothat.”Tobecompletedin2016,thecentrewillaccommodate5,000studentsinhealth,business,engineeringtechnologies,andsustainablebuildingandenvironmentalmanagementprograms.

— Scott Messenger

ConstruCtion begins!

badminton’s

bestcanada’sbestcollegebadmintonplayerswillcompeteatNAITthiswinter.TheOokshostthe2014CanadianCollegiateAthleticAssociationBadmintonNationalChampionshipfromFeb.27toMarch1–thefifthtimethetournamenthasbeenheldatNAITsince1987.ThechampionshipisexpectedtodrawplayersfromAlberta,B.C.,OntarioandtheMaritimes.NAITearnedtwogoldmedalsandonesilveratthe2012championship.

— F.L.

CHEESE

PleaseartisanalcheesesmadefromscratchatNAITareheadedintohouseholdkitchens.Thisfall,theRetailMeatStoreonMainCampusbegansellingsmallbatchesoffeta,mozzarella,brieandcottagecheesecraftedbyfirst-semesterCulinaryArtsstudents.Anewvarietywillbebroughtintothestoreeverycoupleofweeks,saysAllanRoote,theCulinaryArtsinstructorleadingthisinitiativeandaself-described“cheeseenthusiast.”Thestoreisopentothepublic.

— F.L.

PReview

v7.1 2013 13

fewofusaretrulyefficient.NotwhencomparedtoRossTaylor,atleast.Besidesbeingafull-timeComputerEngineeringTechnologyinstructor,he’safarmer,pastor,newgrandfather,aself-learnerofmechanicalengineering,andthechaserofadreamtoinventamachinedesigned–surprise,surprise–toachievegreaterefficiency.

“It’sjustgo,go,go,”hesays.“Idon’teverstopuntilIgotobed.”WithgrantsfromnovaNAIT(whichfacilitatesappliedresearch

acrossNAIT)andtheSchoolofInformationCommunicationandEngineeringTechnologies,Taylor’sdrivehasproducedwhatcouldproveamajoradvancementforthetransportationindustry:aprototypeforaninternalcombustionengineroughly125percentmoreefficientthanacurrentV8engine.Thekeytohisdesignisacircularconfigurationofpistonsthatallowsformoreenergyperstrokewithlesswear.

Withelectriccars(roughly300percentmoreefficient)andhybrids(about35percentbetter)ontherise,thequestionis,whybother?FromTaylor’svantagepoint,theinternalcombustionengine,atechnologywithrootsinthemid-17thcentury,canachievethesamegoalofsaving

fuelandevendoitbetterfortheforeseeablefuture.Inparticular,hebelieveselectricscosttoomuchtobuild,andareslowtowinoverconsumerswho“don’twanttobetiedtoanextensioncord”orareseekingrealsustainability.Afterall,morethan40percentofAlberta’selectricitycomesfromcoal.

“Evenifwecomeupwithothermeansofpoweringthings,Ithinkwe’regoingtohaveinternalcombustionenginesforquiteawhile,”saysTaylor.

Thiswinter,NAITautomotivetechnologistsandmillwrightswillhelphimtestaspecialgearsystemhedesigned.Thenextstepwillbetobuildandtestafull-sizeengine.Intheyearstocome,whenhisengineisreadyformarket,Taylorwouldliketoseeitinlargervehicles,includingsmallaircraftandtrains.

Togetthere,he’dratherpartnerwithamanufacturerthanheadupacompany.It’snotbecausehecouldn’tfindawaytosqueezeitin.Taylorhappilyseeshimselfstayingbehindthescenes.Hemaybemanythings,but“I’mcertainlynotanentrepreneur.”

— Scott Messenger

mister effiCienCy

ross taylor reinvents the internal combustion engine.

PReview

Ph

oto

s by

NA

It s

tAff

Ph

oto

gr

AP

her

s; P

ho

tos

of

br

eNt

hes

je A

Nd

ro

se N

Aq

vI-

PAr

Asy

Nc

hu

k s

uP

PlI

ed

14 techlifemag.ca

this might just

save your life

above, student alisha lewis presents the medical prototype she helped develop.

aprototypecreatedbyfourBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentsmayleadtoanewlifesavingmedicaldevice.It’sanimportantstepinthedevelopmentofaclipusedtoclosepotentiallyfatalchestwounds,saysKellyMottet,productsupportspecialistwithInnovativeTraumaCare,theclientforthestudents’capstoneproject.

ThestudentsdevelopedtheiTClipasthenextinInnovativeTraumaCare’sproductlinethatalreadycontainstheiTClamp50,atemporarywound-closuredevicethatinstantlycontrolsseverebleeding.TheEdmonton-basedcompanywantedanewproductthatcouldbeappliedwithonehand,closevariouswoundsandfitunderbodyarmourforuseinmilitarysituations.

Thestudentsmeteachrequirementandalsoincludedaventingmechanismtoclearlungsofexcessaironceawoundhasbeensealed.Theprototype,arevisedversionofwhichisslatedforpre-clinicaltrialsthisfall,wasfabricatedattheNAITShellManufacturingCentreona3Dplasticprinter.

Fortheirefforts,thestudentstiedforfirstplaceinthe2013CapstoneSymposium,aneventwhereBachelorofTechnologystudentsshowcasetheirprojects.

— Frank Landry

QUick silver DetectoR

agroupofstudentshasdevelopedapotentialsolutiontotheworldwideproblemofsilvercounterfeiting.BuiltfornovicecoincollectorRobertFaltin,theSilverHoundisthesizeofasmartphoneandmeasureselectricalconductivitytodetermineifcoinsareauthenticsilverorfakes,manyofwhichoriginatefromChina.TousetheSilverHound,onesimplyholdsacoinagainstasensor.Resultsareavailableinseconds.

Theprototypewasdevelopedinlessthaneightmonthsasthestudents’BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementcapstoneproject,whichrequiresthatparticipantsaddressrealindustrychallenges.Thisspring,ittiedforfirstplaceintheBTechCapstoneSymposium,NAIT’sannualinnovationshowdown.

AfterincorporatingacompanyunderthenameAgMatics,FaltinnowhopestolicensetheSilverHound,butfirstmustsecureapatentandthenworktoreducemanufacturingcoststounder$100fromthecurrent$250.

— F.L.

3 qUestions

aninternetsearchonleadershipproducespagesofbooktitlesoneverythingfromthe21lawsandfivelevelsofleadershipandhowthebestleadersmakeeveryonesmarter,tohowtotakeyourcompanyfromgoodtogreatandmakeextraordinarythingshappen.Wedidn’thavetogoonline,however,forexpertise.Rather,wewentstraighttoafewofouralumniandfriendswhosharedtheirdistinctapproachestoleadership,alongwithwhatkeepsthemupatnight.

— Sherri Krastel

folloW the leader

brent hesJeChairofNAITBoardofGovernorsandCEOofFountainTire

rose naQvI-parasynchuk(Accounting’99,BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration’03)Vice-presidentofCameronHomes

bruce hagstrom(CivilEngineeringTechnology’71)Vice-presidentandGeneralManager,SurewayConstructionGroup

How do you describe your

leadership style?

Hands-onwhenitcomestotheselectionandrecruitmentofourteamanditsdevelopment,andengagedindevelopingourthree-to-fiveyeargoals,thenIgetoutofthewaywhenwemobilizeforoperation.

I’mmoreamodern-dayvisionaryforwhatweshouldbedoingthanadetailperson.Ibuildtherightteamtogetusthere.

I’dsayIleadbyexample–forqualityworkandproductivity.I’vebeenthatguyinthetrenches,runningequipment,surveying,soIknowwhatitfeelslike.

What is one of your biggest

challenges as a leader?

Theoldadagethatgoodistheenemyofbestisalwayslooming.Forbigdecisionsitisachallengetomakethetimeandspacetochoosethebest,ratherthanjustthegood,option.

Professionally,growingafamily-ownedcompanywithoutcompromisingonfamilyvalues.Personally,tryingtobealeaderandamothertosixgirlswhoallliveathome.

Ourworldischangingsorapidlythatitputsnewtechnicaldemandsoneverypersonregardlessofmarketsector.Addthesechallengestothesubstantialgrowththatourcompany,likesomanyothers,hashadinpersonnel,anditbecomeschallengingtofindthetimetomentorourpersonneltotheextentthatIwouldprefer.

How do you communicate

with employees in the face of

bad news?

Withacrystal-clearexplanationofthetruth.

It’sverydifficult.Ilooktomymentors–myhusbandandmyfather–forguidanceandtrytobefairandhonest.Iaddcompassion.

Communicatingbadnewsistoughforme.Iputmyselfintheperson’sshoesandask,“HowwouldIwantthistobeaddressed?”andIgofromthere.

v7.1 2013 15

ReADing RooM

16 techlifemag.ca

Cover story margaretatwood.RawiHage.The Hockey Sweater.ThesearejustsomeoftheclassicCanadianauthorsandbookspublishedbyHouseofAnansiovertheyears.ButwhentheTorontopressdecidedtore-issuetheseandotherfavouritetitlesfromitsbackcatalogue–aserieslaunchedtomarkits45thanniversaryin2012–thepersontheyturnedtoforasetofnewcoverswasarchitecturaltechnologistgenevieve simms.

Simms(ArchitecturalTechnology’12)isanEdmonton-basedillustratorwhoseclientsincludeMaclean’s and The Globe and Mail.Shealsoworksfull-timefortheengineeringandarchitecturalfirmDialog.AftercatchingtheeyeofartdirectorBrianMorgan,SimmswasrecruitedbyhimtoworkonAnansi’snewseries,calledtheA-List.

ThegoaloftheA-Lististoturnwhat’soldnewagainandtomakethesebelovedtitlesavailableandaccessibletomodernreaders.Assuch,Simms’sjobwastoprovideasetofcoversthatwerefreshandcohesive,whileretainingthebooks’originalcharms.“ThisisprobablythemostnoteworthythingI’vedone,”shesaysofherportfoliotodate.

Originally,Simmswastoillustratefiveofthe10covers,butbeforelong,Morgansays,“TheAnansifolkshadfalleninlovewithGenevieve.”Sheendedupdoingninecoversintotal:fromablack-and-whitesketch(forGraemeGibson’s1969novelFive Legs),toasoft,surrealportrait(forAlPurdy’s1973collectionPoems for All the Annettes),toahypnoticwallpaperpattern(forGilAdamson’s2007novelThe Outlander).Simmsdescribestheoverallaestheticas“prettylo-fi….Iwasgoingforareallyhand-donelook.”

MorganwasimpressedbySimms’soverallrangeasanartist.“Ilearnedjusthowmanytonesshehas:everycoverisitsownthing[and]hasitsownheart,”hesays.

Sowhilesomeofthedesigns,liketheoneforRochCarrier’sThe Hockey Sweater and Other Stories,werestraightforward(“Mylittletwistwasthatitwashangingonaclothesline,”Simmssays),othersweremoredemandingandevenmadedirectuseofherskillsasatechnologist.

Forexample,sheknewtheillustrationforDennisLee’sCivil Elegies and Other Poems wouldfeatureToronto’sNathanPhillipsSquare.Simmshadtodrawdozensofversionsoftheiconiclandmark,fromdifferentanglesandusingdifferenttechniques,beforeshegotitright.

SimmscreditsherNAITtrainingformakingherfeelcomfortableenoughtodoasimpledrawingofabuildinginthefirstplace.Clarityandsimplicity,shesays,arelessonsthatshehopestoapplytoherfutureillustrationwork,too.

“It’stotallyfinetobreakitdowntoitspartsandbeassimpleasyoucanaboutit,”saysSimms.“Showitclearly.Communicateit.”

— Michael Hingston

genevieve simms makes her mark on canadian literature.

Ph

oto

by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN; b

oo

k c

ov

ers

suP

PlI

ed

Looking for workers?Online job postingsReach thousands of great candidates by posting your positions online at no charge. Any full-time, part-time, summer or contract positions related to the programs offered at NAIT are welcome.

nait.ca/employerservices

Looking for work? NAIT students and alumni• tailor your job search• connect with employers on campus• access career search information and tips

nait.ca/studentemploymentGOOD wOrk!

NAIT: WHERE EMPLOYERS

AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES

COME TOGETHER

TRADES TO DEGREES

NAIT’s innovative Trades to Degrees pathway enables qualified trades professionals to move into the third year of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Build your competencies with courses in project management, supervision and entrepreneurship. Flexible learning options ensure you can achieve success, your way.

Learn more: nait.ca/tradestodegrees

A GROUNDBREAKING LEARNING PATHWAY ESPECIALLY FOR TRADES PROFESSIONALS

v7.1 2013 17

18 techlifemag.ca

I (WE) BUILT THIS

technofile

v7.1 2013 19

byapplyingtonait’sfirstofferingoftheWirelessSystemsEngineeringTechnology(WSET)program,mathew Petrukwasmakinganewconnectionwithhisgrandfather,Lawrence Jacobs.In1966,JacobsgraduatedfromthefirstCommunicationElectricianprogram,makingbothmenpioneersinafieldthathasbeenthebackboneofindustryforgenerations.

Duringhis35-yearcareerwithEdmontonTelephones(acquiredbyTelusin1995whenJacobsretired),JacobshelpedshiftEdmonton’stelephonesfromanaloguetodigitaltechnology,whichenabledtheevolutiontowireless.“Itismarvellousthechangesthathavetakenplace,”saysJacobs.“Webasicallyhadtosticktothetelephoneindustry.Nowyoucanworkanywhere.”

WSETchairColin Polanski(CommunicationElectrician’87)seesconsumerdemandformobiletechnologyasthemainreasonforthatchange.Today,wirelesscommunicationsisamulti-billiondollarindustrythatsupportsvirtuallyeverysector.

Inanyform,communicationstechnologyhasalwaysconnectedus.InPetrukandJacobs’scase,ithascreatedamorepersonalconnection.“I’vealwayshungaroundGidoandweareclose,butourcareershavebroughtuscloser,”saysPetruk.

Here,wecompareparallelcareerpathsseparatedbynearlyfivedecades.

— Heather Gray

lawrence jacobs and mathew petruk

because of nait, gido and grandson are closer than ever.

personal

lawrencejacobsmathewpetrukCommunicationElectrician’66WirelessSystemsEngineeringTechnology’13

Four-yearapprenticeshipTwo-yeardiploma

EnrolledtobecomeaccreditedtoworkasatelephoneinstallerEnrolledtolearnhowcellphonesandotherdeviceswork

Graduatedat25yearsoldGraduatedat21yearsold

Startingwage:$2.50/hourWagesvaryfrom$29-$40/hour

Workedasatelephoneinstallerfor12yearsthenmovedintomanagementGainedfieldexperienceduringsummersspentworkingwithcommunicationtechniciansatAtco

Ph

oto

by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN

9:33 AM

helPwAnteD

technofile

20 techlifemag.ca

[ how to ]

make the most of

social media

in yoUr job hUnt

twesumes?twitterviews?Thesetermsmaysoundstrangebutthey’repartofthechangingjob-searchlandscape.Tweeting140-characterblurbs,updatingyourLinkedInprofileandensuringFacebookphotosareprivatearebecomingeffectivewaystohelplandajob.Accordingtoa2012Jobvitesurvey,89percentofrecruiterssaytheyhavemadeahirethroughLinkedIn,while86percentofrecruiterssaytheyarelikelytolookatsocialmediaprofiles.

“Makesureyou’rethereinthespaceandputtingoutsomereallygoodnewsaboutwhoyouare,”saysJRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorRayBilodeau,whoteachesasocialmediamarketingclassthathashelpedanumberofstudentsgainjobleads,interviewsandevencareersthroughsocialmedia.“Bediscoverable.”

We’vegottipsonhowtodothatwhenitcomestothreemajorsocialmediaplatforms.

— Linda Hoang Illu

str

At

IoN

by

AN

dy

ov

IAt

t

v7.1 2013 21

� Ensureyourbioandprofilepictureareprofessionalandappropriatefortheindustryyou’reinterestedin.Aprofilepictureinyourbathingsuitprobablyisn’tsuitableifyou’reapplyingforanofficejob.

� Includealinktoyourwebsite,blogorLinkedInprofileinyourbio.

�“Demonstratethatyou’reasubject-matterexpert,”Bilodeausays.Showyou’reinterestedinwhat’shappeningintheindustrybyfollowingandtweetingothersubject-matterexpertsandsharingtheircontent,aswellaslinkstoindustry-relatedarticles.

� Buildanetworkwithpeopleinyourcity.Forexample,followthe#yeghashtagtoseewhat’shappeninginEdmontonandfindpeopletofollowandfosterconnectionswith.

� Followcompaniesandemployeesofcompaniesyouwanttoworkfor.“Tweettothem,showyou’reinterestedintheircompany,”saysNAITBachelorofBusinessAdministrationstudentJacquelineWong,wholandedaphoneinterviewwithRBCaftercatchingtheirattentionthroughherblogandTwitter.“I’msurealotofpeopletweettocertaincompaniessoifyouasksomethingdifferent,hopefullythey’lltweetback.”WongfirsttweetedlinkstoherblogtoRBCandnevergotaresponse.WhenshetookadifferentapproachandaskedwhethertheirexecutiveswereonTwitter,shereceivedaresponse.

� Haveabadday?Keepittoyourself.Sincepostscanberetweetedandseenbythousands,publiccomplaints“canbeanimpedimenttoyoursuccess,”Bilodeausays.

twitter

�“Makesureyourexperienceisalignedwithwhatindustryislookingfor,”Bilodeausays.FillouttheBackground,ExperienceandSkills&Expertisesectionsandtailordescriptionstotheindustryyou’reinterestedin.

� Updateyourprofileregularly.NewupdatesappearintheLinkedInfeedsofthoseyou’reconnectedwith,soupdatingyourprofilekeepsyoutopofmindwithpotentialemployers.

� Keepyourconnectionsprofessional.“Youdon’twantallyourcontactstobefriends.Youwanttobecontactingpeoplewhocanhelpfurtheryourcareer,”saysNAITBachelorofBusinessAdministrationstudentMelissaZimmer,whowashiredafterapplyingforasummerjobshediscoveredthroughLinkedIn.

� Joinindustry-relatedgroupsandwatchforjobpostingsfromthosegroups.

� Endorseothersfortheirskillsandaskforrecommendations.

linkedin

� LeantowardsTwitterandLinkedInforjobleads.BeawareofwhatmaterialfromFacebookmaybepubliclysearchablebecausethiscouldaffecthowhirableyouare.

� StayontopofFacebookprivacysettings.“Lockthemdown,”Bilodeausays.“Makeitasprivateaspossible.”Keepcontentcleanbecauseevenprivacysettingsdon’tguaranteesomethingcan’tbetakenandsharedpublicly.

� LiketheFacebookpagesofcompaniesyou’reinterestedintogetthemostup-to-dateinformationandthenmentionitduringinterviews.

facebook

hi def | twitterviewTwitterviewsareshort-forminterviewsconductedpubliclyonTwitter.JobseekersundergoingTwitterviewsareexpectedtoanswerquestionsin140characters.“TwesumesandTwitterviewsallowcompaniestodiscoverandengagewithindividualsonline.Thosecompaniescan’tfindyouifyou’renotthere,”Bilodeausays.

hi def | twesumeTwesumesaresimpleresumésthatshowwhoyouareandhighlightyourqualificationsin140characters.Includethe#twesumehashtagandtweettwesumesmorethanonce,withslightchangesorupdateseachtime,togetnoticed.

#twesume: linda hoang

#communications

& #socialmedia

professional. tech savvy,

community-minded.

find out more: http://

www.linkedin.com/in/

hoanglinda #yeg

technofile

22 techlifemag.ca

[ gADgets ]

thisspring,agroupofDigitalMediaandITstudentshelpedbuildwhatcouldbethemostbrain-drainingvideogameevertocomeoutofNAIT.Project Vulcan,aprototypebuiltundertheguidanceofgamedesigninstructorArmandCadieuxandgameprogramminginstructorJohnWinski,issetaboardaspacestation.Theconceptaloneisamindbender:you’rearobottryingtoescapebyembodyingaseriesofstrongerrobots.

Therealtrip,however,liesinthedirectionthegamepushestheindustry.Playersdon’ttakeoverotherrobotsusingahandheldcontroller;theyusetheirthoughts(hencethenodtoStar Trek’s“Vulcanmindmeld”),readbyabrain-scanningheadsetandconvertedbythestudents’softwareintoactionsonscreen.

Theprojectoriginatedasalookintothepotentialapplicationsoftheheadgear–arelativelynew,off-the-shelftechnologythatisseeingincreaseduseinvideogames,butrarelyintherole-playingvariety,whichincludesProject Vulcan.Evidently,CadieuxandWinskitakethatasaninvitationtopushthelimits.“Howweplaygameshasdramaticallychangedinthelastcoupleyears,”saysCadieux.Tohim,brainsensorsarethelogicalnextstepfollowingthetouchscreens,motionsensors

andaugmentedrealitythathavetransformedtheindustry.“We’reteachingstudentshowtobuildagamebutalsohowtothinkbeyondandbringinallthisotherhardware.”

Somewhatinadvertently,however,Project Vulcanhastappedintoanotherschoolofthoughtemergingaroundvideogames.“Gamescanteachusstuff,”saysWinski.Hemeansmorethanfactsandfigures.Ifactionsinavirtualworldcanaffectbehavioursintherealone,Project Vulcancouldbesaidtoteachfocus.“You’vegottoconcentrateonjustonething,”saysWinski.Inanageinwhichmulti-taskingandtheInternethavedividedourattentions,“It’stricky.”

Cadieuxbelievesthegamehintsatakindofrehabilitation,aroleNAITgameshavealreadyplayedwithpatientsattheGlenroseRehabilitationHospitalinEdmonton.Indeed,afewminutesofplaycanleaveanewbie(orthiswriter,atleast)feelingphysicallyexhausted,asifhavingexercisedaweakenedmuscle.Theimpactthisgamingdevelopmentmayhaveonmentalhealthremainstobeseenbutthere’snoreasontothinkitwillbeinsignificant.“Gamespushtheboundariessomuch,”saysCadieux.

— Scott Messenger

head gamesbetter living through mind-controlled video games

Ph

oto

s by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN

technofile

v7.1 2013 23

materials:16-gauge(1.5-millimetreor1/16-inch)stainlesssteel,fordurabilityandstrength

to be unearthed:InNAIT’s100thanniversaryyear

built by:SheetMetalWorkerstaffatPatriciaCampus

bUried treasUres

• Alimited-editionOokpikbeer

• AmenufromTheNest,NAIT’scampusbarandgrill

• AnewOoksjersey

• We are NAIT@50 commemorativebook

• Memorynotesfromalumni,includingedward gutsche(Management’90),atimecapsulecommitteevolunteerwhopassedawaybeforethecapsulewassealed

• Predictionsbystudentsandstaffaboutwhattheinstituteandcitywilllooklikein50years

• Morethan100otheritems

inside the time Capsule

physicalanddigitalitems,includingmemoriesandwellwishestocelebrateNAIT’s50thanniversary,havebeenenclosedinatimecapsuletobeopened50yearsfromnow.“I’mhopingpeopleunderstandhowproudweareofwhatwehavecollectivelybuiltandhowcentralNAIThasbecometothewelfareofAlbertaanditspeople,”saysDr.GlennFeltham,theinstitute’spresidentandCEO.Tomakesuretheitemsarewellpreserved,Jim ripley(SheetMetalMechanic’81),chairoftheSheetMetalWorkerprogram,designedthestainlesssteelchestfeaturedbelow.

— Fiona Bensler

0.6m

0.6m

sealed:Withautomotivepaneladhesivebecauseofitsabilitytokeepoutmoistureandenvironmentalelementsandbecauseitiseasilyunsealedbyheating

weight:Ninekilograms

hours to build:Eight

engraved by:BehrendsBronze(theNAIT@50logoisonthelidandtheinstitute’scoatofarmsisonthefront)

Turntop.66tofindout

whatturnedupinour1987

timecapsule0.9m

1.2m

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:Online: onlinestore.nait.ca Phone: 780.491.3104 Email: mailorders@nait.ca Visit the NAIT Bookstore: Room X114, 11762 106 Street, Edmonton, AB

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

24 techlifemag.ca

A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO

STUDENT SUCCESS

TO HEALTHNAIT DELIVERS HEALTH AND CARE TOGETHER.NAIT’s Continuing Education 2nd discipline MRI program is delivered online, making it the most fl exible MRI training in Canada. The program is open to health care professionals with a previous designation in medical radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, ultrasound and combined laboratory and x-ray.

Students can work as they study, with seven online courses and fi nishing with a 16-week clinical placement to perfect their skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students are then eligible to write the CAMRT national MRI Certifi cation exam.

Enrol today at nait.ca/mri Next intake January 2014

technofile

v7.1 2013 25

online sUPPortrichelle skrilec helps philanthropists give while getting what they want.

asthemotheroftwoteenagedgirls,Richelle skrilec wasveryfamiliarwithtraditionalmethodsusedtoraisemoneyforschoolsandsportsteams.Tiredoftheamountoftimeandenergyinvolved,shebelievedtherecouldbeabetterwaytogive.Heranswer:shopandshare.ca,whichcombinescharitablegivingwithonlineshopping.

In2009,helpedbyapart-timeprogrammerandpart-timecommunicationsspecialist,Skrilec(Management’94)launchedshopandshare.ca.WhetherbookingatripthroughExpediaorbuyingabarbecuethroughHomeDepot–twoofthe150participatingretailers–customerscanmaketheirpurchasesthroughSkrilec’ssiteandsupportthenon-profitorcharityoftheirchoiceatnoextracost.Theretailer,whichdecidesitslevelofsupport,thensendsthatamounttoshopandshare.ca,whichdonateshalftothenon-profit(theotherhalfhelpspaystaffandrunthesite).

Retailersbenefitfromjoiningthesitebecauseit’sanothermarketingtool,anopportunityforsalesandforenablingcorporatesocialresponsibility.

Skrilec,aseasonedentrepreneurandformerbookkeeperwhoworksfromherCalgary-areahomeoffice,currentlyhas2,200registeredshoppersandhasgeneratedapproximately$3,000forthemorethan300charities.Sheplanstoexpandtoincludegasolineandgrocerygiftcards,with3,000charitiesandnon-profitsinvolvedthisyear,and10,000bytheendof2014.Thiswouldallowformoreofherfavouritepartofthebusiness:writingthedonationcheques.

“I’msoamazedatthegreatworkpeoplearedoingintheirowncommunities.Thatissuchamotivatortobeabletohelpthemcontinue,”Skrilecsays.

— Fiona Bensler

Ph

oto

by

ro

th

AN

d r

Am

ber

g

innovAte

26 techlifemag.ca

innearly50yearsofcompetition,theOokshaveneverbeensogood.Sogood,infact,thatit’seasytooverlookthefactthatthetimingoftheir

successisn’tideal.Lastseasonwasareturntotheglorydaysofthe

mid-1980s,whenthemen’shockeyteam–hairwornparteddownthecentre,moustacheswithoutirony–dominatedprovinciallyandnationallyandheldtheirownagainsttheUniversityofAlbertaGoldenBearsinexhibitionplay.Actually,2012-13wasbetterthanthat.Men’shockeyendedits17-yearchampionshipdrought,but,unlikethepast,whenonlytheirsoccercounterpartskeptpace,it’snotsolonelyatthetopanymore.After11ofNAIT’s12teamsadvancedtopost-season,theyreturnedwith12provincialandsevennationalmedals(morethanhalfthehaulwasgold)inhockey,soccer,basketball,volleyballandbadminton–mostofthemachievedbythewomen.

Collectively,theOoksmayhavefinallyfoundtheirwings,thankstoamaturedathleticsprogramthatembraceseverysportandbothgendersandgiveseachofitsstudentathletesanequalopportunitytofly,sotospeak.

Forsomestudents,thatkindofsuccessisinjeopardy.TheAlbertaCollegesAthleticConference(ACAC),whichhoststheOoks,hassufferedasetbackwiththelossoftwoofitsbiggestmembers.In2012,itlostco-founderMountRoyalUniversitytotheCanadaWestuniversitiesathleticassociation.MacEwanUniversityfollowsinpartin2014.Bothlossesseriouslydiminishthekindofcompetitionthatstrengthenscharacter,drawscrowds,buildscampuscommunityanddevelopsexceptionalstudentathletes.

SherriBowles,forwardwiththewomen’shockeyteam,isoneofthese.Forhelpingtoleadthe2012-13squadtoitsfirstACACgold-medal,thefourth-yearbusinessstudentwasheapedwithaccolades:thetitleofACACfemalehockeyplayeroftheyear;aplaceintheseason’srecordbooksfor16goalsin18games;andNAIT’sawardforfemaleathleteoftheyear.Notbadfora23-year-oldfromtinyElkhorn,ManitobawhocreditstheOoksfornotjuston-iceimprovements,butforeasingthetransitiontoindependentadulthood,rifewithresponsibilityandbill-paying.“ComingherewasoneofthebestdecisionsImade,”saysBowles.

story by scott messenger

Photos by bLaIse van maLsen

the venerated alberta colleges athletic conference is changing, leaving some to wonder if it’s time for a shakeup.

for the love of the game

featured Alumni

kai Dan,Management’13

kevin martin, PetroleumEngineeringTechnology’87,Top50Alumnus

v7.1 2013 27 v7.1 2013 27

for the love of the game

for sherri bowles, participating in aCaC athletics has contributed to her personal development on and off the ice.

innovAte

28 techlifemag.ca

15 LEfT WiNG

S h e r r i B o w l e s

2012-13 Regular season stats

games played

18

goals

16

assists

11

Points

27

Penalty minutes

16

Power-play goals

3

short-handed goals 2

game-winning goals 4

TheonlyreasonthatisstillthecaseisbecausehersportnarrowlyavoidedeliminationfromtheACAC.ThewomenareguaranteedtoskateatNAITforthenexttwoyearsonlybecauseMacEwan’shockeyteamsdidn’tmaketheCanadaWestcut,savingthewomen’sleaguefromdwindlingfromfourteamstothreeand,underconferencerules,folding.

UntilMacEwan’sbidtomoveissuccessful–possiblyasearlyas2016-17–thewomencompeteonborrowedtime.

“Itrynottothinkaboutitbecauseitjustmakesmesad,”saysBowles,forcingaweaksmile.

Now,justasNAIThopestoembarkonanewgoldenageofstudentathletics,theconferenceithelpedfoundmayhavetoreviseitsgameplan,evenifthatmeansceasingtoexistasweknowit.

“we’reanexampleofanorganizationthat’sfacingchallengesbecauseoftheperiodoftransitionthatwe’reinnow,”saysRobertDay,ACACgeneralmanager.HisattempttoseethegoodinthedeparturesofMountRoyalandMacEwan,schoolsthathadteamsinalmostallACACsports,hardlycountershisdisappointment.

“Itprovidesopportunityforothermemberstocomeforward,butwepayahugepriceforthatopportunity.”

Theconferencehasalwaysbeenamorphousbynature,expanding,contractingandshiftingwithchangesintheprovincialpost-secondarycommunityitserves.

SinceitsbirthastheWesternInter-CollegeConferencein1964–essentiallyabasketballleaguewithahandfulofexhibitionsportsforAlberta’sfivemaincollegesoftheday,includingNAIT–ithasseenschoolscomeandgo,andcomeagain,asbudgetsandstudentinterestdictated.Today,17schools,withstudentbodiesrangingfromafewhundredfull-timerstowellover10,000,competeinninesports(noschoolcompetesineverysport),makingtheACAConeofCanada’slargest–and,onthewhole,healthiest–conferences,afterthoseinOntarioandQuebec.ButDaybelievestherecentchangesaredifferent.“Fromyourstronger,largermemberscomesyourstrengthasanorganization.”

HecreditsNAITasoneofthoseyet,atthesametime,worriesaboutjusthowdominantNAITmightbecome.

WhenLindaHendersontookoverastheinstitute’sdirectorofathleticsin2008,sheconvincedsenioradministrationtofundsixfull-timecoachesinmen’sandwomen’sbasketball,volleyballandhockey.Shewantedtoelevatetheprogramateverylevel:morechampionships,morescholarships,betterfacilities,strongerstudentattraction,morecommunityinvolvementandbetterstudentathletegrades.“Ithinkwecanbeleadersinallofthosethings,”saysHendersontoday.

Herprogramisaworkinprogressbut,alongtheway,itproducedahandfulofteamsworthyofMountRoyal,aperennialpowerhouse.Now,inmostsports,NAITmustlooktoSAITandRedDeerCollegeforitsrivalries.

“I’mnotsureinthelongrunhowhealthythatisforthecompetitivebalanceandthesuccessoftheleague,”saysDay.Inhisview,fundingdifferencescreateanunevenplayingfield,turningtheissueintoaresourcesgame.Basedonsizealone,NAIThasanaturaladvantage.

“Howcanotherprogramskeepup?”

recentsuccessesaside,NAIThasn’toutgrowntheconference.Bowles’ssquadmayhavepoundedSAITonenight7-0,butthey’dtakea9-3losstoRedDeer(whoputuparespectablefightintheprovincialfinals)aweeklater.Othertimes,winsagainstcellar-dwellingteamshighlightedweaknesses:“Sometimesyoujustfalldowntotheirlevel,”saysBowles.“You’reexpectedtobeatthem10-nothingbutyouwin2-1.”

Eveniftheycan’tmatchNAIT’sfull-timecoachinginitiative,otherconferencemembersremain,fornow,fullycapableofcompeting.Intheirfirstyearintheleague,theOldsCollegeBroncostookthewomen’sbasketballtitle(thenbronzeatnationals).Overthelast20years,RedDeerhasbeentheteamtobeatinmen’svolleyball.Andshouldmoreschoolsjoinfutsal,akindofindoorsoccer,they’llhaveKeyanoCollegetocontendwith,leagueleaderssincethesport’sinceptiontwoyearsback.

“ cominG hErE wAs onE of thE bEst dEcisions i mAdE.”

Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/ ooks-2012-13.htmforthehighlightsofthe2012-13record-breakingseason.

Ph

oto

s by

NA

It s

tAff

Ph

oto

gr

AP

her

s

–SHERRIBOWLESFORWARD,OOKSWOMEN’SHOCKEY

v7.1 2013 29

ThatthisdeprivesNAIToftrophiesisactuallyagoodthing.AccordingtoDay,onemember’sdominanceinasportcandissuadetheentryofnewmembersworriedtheycan’tcompete,leavingtheconferencevulnerabletothecutsnowthreateninghockeyandleavingstudentathleteswithanumbingsenseofdéjàvu.(“Itdoessuckwhenyou’replayingthesameteamoverandoveragain,”saysBowles,“butI’dratherplaythesameteamthannotplayatall.”)Rightnow,theACAC–whichhostswell-subscribedbasketball,volleyballandsoccerleagues–couldfollowtherecentexitswithagrowthspurt,asbothAmbroseUniversityCollegeandSt.Mary’sUniversityCollegeconsiderexpandingtheirsportsprograms.

Likely,bothwouldtaketimetodevelopintowell-roundedcompetitors–particularlyinbasketball,

volleyballandsoccer–whichiswhyDaywelcomesanotherpossibilityfortheconference:amalgamatewithCanadaWesttocreateanational,tieredconference,allowingschoolstocompeteatthelevelthatsuitsthem.NAITcouldregularlyplaytheUofA,orrekindleitsrivalrywithMountRoyal.ButCanadianInteruniversitySport(CanadaWest’sparentorganization)maynotbeinterestedinwhatDayseesastheremovalofanartificialbarrier.Inhisview,there’saclassseparationbetweentheconferences.Amergermighteliminatethat,andenhanceathlete,andthereforestudent,development.

“Wewouldn’tworryaboutthativorytoweropinionthatsaysyoucouldneverplayinCanadaWestbecauseyourstudentsaretechnicalstudentsandthey’redifferentfromuniversitystudents,”saysDay.“I’maPhDand,frankly,Ithinkthat’salotofBS.”

ToP of their gamenait has had a role in developing some of the canada’s best athletes. here’s a look.

the pinnacle of nait’s 1980s hockey dynasty came with this men’s squad,

which achieved the near impossible: a perfect season. in fact, the winning

streak stretched from the previous season and through the 1984-85

provincial and national playoffs (which they won, of course), ending at 51

consecutive wins and earning them, in 2012, a spot in the alberta hockey hall

of fame. read more at techlifemag.ca/ooks-hockey-perfect-season.htm.

1984-85ookS MEN’S HoCkEy

even if it would have been a good back-up plan in alberta, top 50 alum

Kevin martin never did need his Petroleum engineering technology

diploma (class of ’87). instead, he went on to become one of the world’s

top curlers, thanks in large part to nait coach jules owchar. read more

at techlifemag.ca/kevin-martin-jules-owchar.htm.

kevinMARTiN

after joining nait’s Personal fitness trainer program in 2011, team

canada’s shannon szabados signed on as the men’s hockey starting

goaltender. last year, she helped the team take gold and secured a spot

in the record books with the lowest goals-against average in conference

history. read more at techlifemag.ca/shannon-szabados.htm.

Kai dan’s time growing up away from home in chinese “badminton”

schools paid off. after he came to canada in 2007, the management

grad (class of ’13) went on to become nait’s most decorated athlete,

with five national titles in men’s singles badminton. read more at

techlifemag.ca/dan-kai-badminton.htm.

shannonSZABADoS

kaiDAN

innovAte

30 techlifemag.ca

Web ExtraHowdidLindaHendersonreinventNAIT’sathletics

program?Visittechlifemag.ca/linda-henderson-ooks.htmtofindout.

inhisnewroleasCEOofCanadianInteruniversitySport,thecountry’sgoverningbodyforuniversityathletics,PierreLafontainehas,inessence,asolitaryobjective:“Ineedtomaketheexperienceofthestudentathletesintheuniversitysystemmagical.”

First,though,heneedstogetthehouseinorder,whichtohimmeanscreatingbetternationalchampionshipevents,improvingthestudentathletesupportsystemandimprovingrelationshipswithhismemberleagues,CanadaWestincluded.

Italsomeansreachingouttothecollegesystem–toapoint.Fortheforeseeablefuture,Lafontainedoesn’tseecombiningthecollegiateanduniversitysystemsintoanationaltieredconferenceasbeingpartofthemagicmaking.“I’mnotsureIlikethewordamalgamation,”hesays.“I’mnotsureit’sevenonthetable.”

Buthe’dstillliketobuildarelationshipthatmaynothaveexistedinthepast.Hebelievestherearesynergiestoberealizedwithcollegiateconferencesandbestpracticestobeexchanged.Intheend,simplecommunicationmightbehowtheorganizationsachieveacommongoal.“Howdoweusesportanduniversityinfrastructuretosupporttheseworld-classpeoplewhowillbecometomorrow’sleaders?”asksLafontaine.th

e n

At

ion

Al

Pe

rs

Pe

cti

ve

thatsamekindofstudentdevelopmentisthereasonDr.GlennFeltham,NAITpresidentandCEO,defendstheathleticsprogram.Whenquestionedwhethertheschoolwillcontinuetofunditsfull-timecoachingprogramdespiterecentgovernmentbudgetcuts,hedoesn’thesitatewithayes.

“Idon’tthinkthisinvestmentisaluxury,”saysFeltham.“Whilewe’reinatimeofconstraintandwehavetobeverycarefulofhowwespendourdollars,ourathleticsinvestmentiscoretothatbroaderstudentexperience….Competitioncanbringoutthebestinourstudentathletesandbeanenormoussenseofprideforallofourstudentsandstaff.”

Otherschoolsareapparentlyofthesamemind.Sincethecuts,onehaswithdrawnteams,saysHenderson,butnoneoftheremainingteams,inherview,aresoonlikelytodepart.What’smore,shefelt

therewasrealinterest(evenifnonehaddonesobythissummer)fromschoolstotakeadvantageofACACseedmoneytohelpcoverthecostsofenteringwomen’shockey,givingherhope.

Thatallowsherandherstafftofocusontherealbusinessofpost-secondaryathletics.Atthislevelofsport,winningisfarfromeverything;successforstudentathletesisholistic.“Youwantthemtogoawayfromthisexperienceandthinkfondlyofwhattheylearnedaboutleadershipandtimemanagementandcollaboration–andalsotohaveaneducationthatwillfinanciallysupportthem.”

Bowles,whosefocusishumanresources,iscomfortableknowingthatshe’shedgingherbetsonafutureinhockeywithadegreethatcomeswithanearly90percentemploymentrate.ShouldherhopetolandaspotintheCanadianWomen’sHockeyLeaguenotworkout,sheisn’tworried.“Ican’tjustcountonhockey,”shesays.

Inthemeantime,though,she’sgoingtogiveitherall.ThreemonthsfromthestartofherfourthseasonwiththeOoks,ontheswelteringsummerdayofourinterview,she’dratherbeinskates.“I’vebeenreadytoplayforthepastmonth,”shesays.Infact,she’sbecomesoattachedtotheOoks,andtoNAIT,thatshe’swonderinghowtotackonanotheryearofschooltomakethemostofthefive-yearlimitincollegeanduniversityathletics.Forallshehaslearnedinthesethreeyearsaboutthegame,andforwhatthegamehastaughtheraboutherself,shecan’timaginehavingtogiveitallupanysoonerthannecessary.

“I’llprobablybeherefiveyears,”shesays.“AndthosewillbethebestfiveyearsI’veeverexperienced.”

linda henderson, director of athletics and recreation

v7.1 2013 31

innovAte coveR stoRy

32 techlifemag.ca

ok, maybe this isn’t so easy. but serial startup builder ashif mawji has set a shining example. now it’s up to the rest of edmonton’s new venture community to follow his lead.

in five easy stepsbUild an entrePreneUrial ecosystem

story by scott messenger

Photos by bLaIse van maLsen

IllustrAtIoNs by JennIFer LubrIn

featured Alumni

tiffany Linke-boyko,Management’07

ashif mawji, ComputerSystemsTechnology’92,Top50Alumnus

tracey scarlett, MedicalLaboratoryTechnology’87,Top50Alumna

Fred thompson,Management’12

v7.1 2013 33

in five easy stepsbUild an entrePreneUrial ecosystem

ashif maji at startup edmonton, a non-profit that he helps finance and where he serves as a mentor.

innovAte • cover story

34 techlifemag.ca

Ashifmawji’sparentsdon’treallyunderstandwhathedoesforaliving.It’snotbecausetheydon’tcare.Onthecontrary:hisdadclippedall

thenewspaperarticleshissonturnedupinovertheyears.“Buthestilldidn’tknowwhatIdid,”saysMawji,betweensipsofchocolatyfrappuccinoshortlyafter9a.m.onerecent,chillysummermorning.

That’sbecauseMawji(ComputerSystemsTechnology’92)isanentrepreneur–aprofessionmadeslightlymorenebulousbythefactthat,atjust41,healreadyqualifiesasaserialentrepreneur.Heonlystayswithsomethinguntilhe’ssatisfiedwiththeresultsandreadytomoveon,whichaddstomomanddad’sconfusion.Asofthisyear,Mawjiisonhisthirdbusiness,NPOZero,whichprovidesaccounting,marketingandHRservicestonot-for-profitoutfits,allowingthemtotrimoverheadandoperatemoreefficiently.Hewouldn’thavestruggledtobootstrapthisone.UpsideSoftware,hispreviouscontractmanagementventureofmorethanadecade,soldforsomewhereintheneighbourhoodof$30million.Hewasthemajorityshareholder.

IfthetruenatureofMawji’scalling–thestartingandbuildingofbusinessesaswellasoperatingthose

businesses–wouldsurprisehisfamily,itslocationmightsurprisetherestofus.AftergrowingupinKenyaandtravellingtheworldforwork,MawjiadamantlydefendsEdmontonashisbusinessbase.Inhisview,thecapitalcity,perhapstoolongthoughtofasagovernmenttownorgatewaytoAlberta’soilandgasindustry,isastartuphotspotthathasallthemakingsofatech-bizmeccaliketheSanFranciscoBayarea.Itmightnotbeasbalmy,butthesolutiontothatissimple.“We’vegotanairport,”hesays.

Thesedays,thecityhasmorethananairportthatmakesitgreatforembryonicenterprises.Foranyonelookingtomaketheleapfromarmchairentrepreneurtotherealdeal,nowisthetimetocapitalize.NotonlyisMawjiproofitcanbedone,buthe’sactivelysupportingnewresourcestocreatenewlocalsuccessstories.Forthosewhosaygapsremaininthesupportsystem–gapsthatmightbepreventingonegenerationfromenthusiasticallyencouragingthenexttofollowthroughonarevenue-generating,job-creating,tax-base-buildingidea–you’reright.But,bythelooksofthings,we’regettingthere,learningtobuildanidealentrepreneurialecosystem,onestepatatime.

nothingbeginswithoutaneed.Thatneed,andhowitissatisfied,isthebedrockofasuccessfulstartup.“Alotoftimesitwillcomerightinfrontofyou,”saysMawji.

“Unlessyou’retaughthowtocapitalizeonit,youmightjustletitgo.”

Mawji–whoblinkssorarelyduringconversationthatyoumaybelieveittobetheskillthatkeepshimfrommissingopportunities–doesn’tmissopportunities.Asakid,he’dsellwatchesonconsignmentatweekendtradeshowsinNairobi.Aboothcost100shillings,about$10,andwhateverdidn’tsellwentbacktohissupplier.AsasalesmanagerforHonda,hisdadtravelled.YoungMawjitaggedalong,pickingupCommodore64sinLondonandsellingtheminKenya,wherecomputerswereahotcommodity.Thiswasallbornofneed–mostlyhisown.

“‘Youcanhaveanythingyouwant,’”Mawjirecallshisparentssaying,“‘butyouhavetopayforit.’SoIlookedaroundtoseewhatotherpeoplewant.”

steP 1 learn to act onoPPortUnities

Nothinghaschanged.Mawjistillmakesopportunitieslooklikemoneyinthebank.UpsideSoftwarecameaboutin2000when,indealingswithhispreviouscompany,anITconsultancy,herecognizedhowhecouldsavecorporationsmillionsbymanagingtheircontracts.NPOZeroarosefromobservationsasanon-profitboardmemberovertheyears(forNAITfrom2004-10,forexample,and,morerecently,fortheStolleryChildren’sHospitalFoundationandKidsCottage).

“IfoundthatNGOswereverypassionateandwanteddesperatelytodotherightthing.Theissuewastheydidn’thaveenoughmoneytohireanyoneformarketing,forexample.”Hecouldprovidethat,makingabusinessofenablinggreatergoodand“leavingtheworldinabetterplacethanIfoundit.”

Alongtheway,hehasappliedthatphilosophytothebusinesscommunity,takingadvantageofthechancetoguideotherEdmontonstartupsfromideatoincome.

v7.1 2013 35

themercerbuilding,indowntownEdmonton’sheritagewarehousedistrict,isafinebitofinfrastructure.Builtin1911tohousemerchantJohnMercer’sinventoryofliquorandcigars,thebuildingisbrightandopen,allexposedbeamsanddistressedbrick,shrunkenfloorboards,andnakedplumbingandductwork.Fortheentrepreneurialcommunity,it’smadefinerbybeinghometoStartupEdmonton,anon-profitthatMawjihelpsfinanceandwhereheservesasamentor.

Atanygivenhour,thereareahandfulofnewbusinessownershere,workingtoturnstartups(ineverythingfromappstomediatocustomboots)intoself-sustaining,profitableventures.Tohelpthem,StartupEdmontonkeepsrentaffordableand,inadditiontovariousbusinessdevelopmentprograms,providesnewbieswithacommunitytokeepthemfocused.Then,basically,ittriestomovethemouttomakeroomforthenextclient.“Wewanttoseeanincreaseinentrepreneurs,sothatintheendthestartupcommunity

steP 2 bUild theinfrastrUctUre

willhavegrownandbemuchsturdier,”sayschiefoperatingofficertiffany Linke-Boyko(Management’07).

Shebelievesnascentbusinesshasbeenoverlooked,despitethefactthatitgrowstoprovideabouthalfofCanada’semployment,roughly30percentofitsGDPandabout25percentofitsexports.

Thecontributioncouldbebiggerstill,shefigures.“WhoknowswherethenextGoogle”–(roughly45,000full-timeemployees,marketcaparound$300billion)–

“willcomefrom.”Inherview,creatingmorecompaniesbooststheoddsthatitmightcomefromhere.

It’snotoutofthequestion.Mawji’spreviouscompany,Upside,isnoGooglebutitwasrecognizedasagloballeaderincontractmanagement.“Wewererankednumber1,”hesays.“Itwasunheardofforacompanyoursize.Andwedidthatallfromhere.”AndwithoutthehelpofanorganizationlikeStartupEdmonton.Thistime,forNPOZero,hehasdeskspaceinacornerjustoffthecommunalkitchenandawashinnaturallight.

on entrepreneurism

“Personally,IthinkEdmontonismoreaware[today]oftheneedfordiversification.Weareveryoilandgas–weallknowit.”

–TiffanyLinke-BoykoChiefOperatingOfficeStartupEdmonton

“Some[students]tellme‘OnethingI’velearnedisthatIneverwanttostartabusiness.’Probably,someofthemshouldn’tand,probably,I’vedonemyduty.”

–JayKryslerInstructorJRShawSchoolofBusiness

“[In]Alberta,wehavegreatideas.Weknowwherewewanttogo,butwe’reafraid.That’stheproblem.We’renotrisktakers.We’reconservative.”

–AshifMawjiPresidentandCEONPOZero

“Ifwecancreatethebaselinecapacity,studentsleaveourinstitutionandstartnewventures,whichcreatesabroaderinterestinthelaunchofnewventures,whichinturnputstheinterestbackintoourstudents.Thatbecomesavirtuouscircle.”

–Dr.NeilFassinaProvostandVPAcademicNAIT

innovAte • cover story

36 techlifemag.ca

“when’sthelasttimeyouheardaparentsaytotheirsonordaughter,‘I’dlikeyoutobeanentrepreneur’?”saysMawji.“Youhear,‘I’dlikeyoutobeadoctororteacherorengineerorwhatever.’Isitsuchabadthingtobeanentrepreneur?Itisn’t.There’snoeducationaroundit.”

Dr.NeilFassina,provostandvice-presidentacademic,isworkingtochangethatatNAIT.“WehaveanopportunitytobuildentrepreneurialcapacityunlikeanyothersupportunitinnorthernAlberta,”hesays.Thismeansactivelyencouragingstudentstoconsidertheprofession,andmakingthemfamiliarwiththeentirecycle:“Wethinkaboutthatserialentrepreneurwhostarts,succeeds,exits,restarts,succeeds,exits.”Thisisacraft,saysFassina,anditdeservesaformaleducation.TheproposedEntrepreneurshipandNewVentureInstitute–whichMawjiandotherlocalentrepreneursarehelpingtoshape–wouldturnthestartupintoa

steP 3 change theedUcation system

recognizedandmuchmorecommoncareerpath.Onereasonthismaynothavehappenedalready,

andperhapswhyparentshavebeenworriedaboutseeminglywaywardbutactuallyenterprisingchildren,isthatthepathfromschooltostartupisn’ttracked,saysJayKrysler,JRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorofentrepreneurship.HowmanyofAlberta’spost-secondarygradscreatebusinesses?Howmanysucceed?Withoutthestats,perhapsthebestquestionstostartwitharequalitativeratherthanquantitative.Whatwouldbetheimpactofformaltraining?Howwoulditaffecttheeconomy?

Fornow,theanswerisaneducated“Let’ssee.”Risk,afterall,canbecalculated.“Youwanttoencouragepeopletostartandthenseewherethatleadsthem,”saysKrysler.AsMawjimightagree,theydon’tallneedtobedoctorsandlawyersandsuch.

Aspartofanentrepreneurshipcourse,JRShawSchoolofBusinessinstructorJayKrysleraskshisstudentstoturna$5loanintoaprofitableventure.Here’showitworks:

• Studentshavesevenweeks

• Venturesmustbelegal

• Personalassetsmaybeusedbutmustbereplenished

• Customerscannotberelativesoremployers

• Totalclassprofitsaredonatedtoaregisteredcharitypickedbythemanageroftheprojectwiththehighestprofit

• The$5loanmustberepaid

RecentwinnerFred thompson(Management’12)generated$748byrentingatheatretoshowThe Lorax.Asaresult,totalclassprofitsof$4,287wenttoRighttoPlayInternational.

the $5 Challenge

v7.1 2013 37

Ph

oto

by

jeA

Net

te

jAN

zeN

overtheyearsasceoofAlbertaWomenEntrepreneurs,tracey scarletthasshiftedtheemphasisfromstartuptoscale-up.“Thereisnoshortageofpeoplewhowanttostartbusinesses.Ithinkourproblemishowwebuildbusinessesofsignificanceandsustainability,”saysScarlett(MedicalLaboratoryTechnology’87).

Thepointwhenmanybusinessesfail,shesays,isexitingtheincubationphase–aperiodsupportedbynotjustStartupEdmonton,butSt.Albert’sNorthernAlbertaBusinessIncubator,TECEdmonton,EdmontonResearchPark,theNationalInstituteofNanotechnology,andNAIT,throughitsDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovationanditsSt.Albertincubationfacility.Formarginalcompanies,sheexplains,goingitalonemeanssuddenlytakingonspecializedlegal,accountingandothercostswhilestilltryingtogrowrevenues.“Thefocusonstartupprobablyiscounterproductivetowhatwe’rereallytryingtoachieve.”

steP 4 mindthe gaP

Instead,she’dliketofosterscale-upbyintegratingnewercompaniesintolocalsupplychains.Bigcorporationsandgovernmentneedsstuff;whycan’treputablesmallandmedium-sizedcompaniessupplyit?“Younotonlyfindthatyousavemoneyinyoursupplychain,”saysScarlett,“yougetthecreativityandinnovationoflocalbusinessesthatcanthengrowtobeinternationalbusinesses.”ConstructiongiantPCLdidthatwhilebasedinEdmonton,shepointsout,andsodidprofessionalservicesconsultantStantec.

Thoseparticularsuccessstoriesarealargepartofthereasonthat“thereneedstoberecognitionofthissector–thatthisiswhereeconomicvalueiscreated.Youneedtohaveastrongstartupcommunity,”shesays,“butwe’vealreadygotthat.”

“there is no shortage of PeoPle Who Want to start bUsinesses. i think oUr Problem is hoW We bUild bUsinesses of significance and sUstainability.”

–TRACEYSCARLETTCEO,ALBERTAWOMENENTREPRENEURS

innovAte • cover story

38 techlifemag.ca

thissummer,npozerowasatfourfull-timeemployeeswhileMawjitriedtolimitoperationstoEdmontonclientsuntilhehadsatisfactoryproofofconcept.Nextyear,orevenbytheendofthisifdemandbecomestoogreat,he’llextendservicestoCalgary,thentheU.S.ComparedtoUpsideatthesamepointofdevelopment,NPOZeroisalreadybigger,andgrowingfaster.

AsfocusedasMawjiisonthepresent,hisworkisaninvestmentinthefuture.Healreadyhasanexitstrategybutitdoesnotleadtoretirement.There’sanotherstartuponthehorizon.“Idon’tknowwhatyetbutIwilldosomething–somethingcompletelydifferent.”

What’smore,he’lldoithere,becauseofthetalentandproductivityofthepeople,thereasonablecostsofdoingbusinessandthefactthat,really,thewinter’sonlyunbearableafewweeksoutoftheyear.“ThereisnoplacelikeEdmonton,”hesays.

GettingthatmessageacrosstolocalmoversandshakersmaybeessentialtothefutureofEdmonton,andAlberta,too.“Theentrepreneurialaspirationisquite

steP 5 reaP thereWards

embeddedinourculture,”saysScarlett.Tomodelandnurturethatistolaythefoundationfordiversity,whichmakesgoodbusinesssense.“It’shedgingbets,”saysMawji.“Whenyouinvestinthemarketyoudon’tputeverythingingold.”Orotherresources,forthatmatter.

Forallofthistosucceed,therewardscanstillbeindividualratherthancivic,buttheyhavetobemuchlesstangiblethanmostmightexpect.BeforejoiningNAIT,JayKryslerstudiedentrepreneurshipasaconsultant.Inoneinstance,hefoundthatjustthreepercentofsuccessfulstartupsweredrivenbywantofcash.Incontrast,profitmotivatedathirdofthosethatfailed.

“Youhavetohaveapassion,”saysKrysler.“That’swhatwegetthestudentstounderstand.”

Mawjigetsthat.Hisnextventuremaybeamysterybutitwillsatisfytworequirements.One,itwillpresenttheopportunityforbroadsocialimpact.Two,he’lllovedoingit.

“Idon’tdoanythingunlessI’mhavingfun,”hesays.“Moneyisnevergoingtodriveme.Ibelievethatifit’sfun,therestfallsintoplace.”

Whyisthecapitalcitygoodforbusiness?Letuscountsomeoftheways:

skilledworkforceEdmontonishometosomeofAlberta’slargestpost-secondaryinstitutes,includingNAIT,whichtogetherproducethousandsofnewgraduateseachyear.

proximitytotheoilsandsBecauseofthenearly170billionbarrelsofoilburiedinthenorthernhalfoftheprovince,Edmontonisgeographicallypositionedasalogisticsandsupplyhub.

strongeconomicindicatorsEdmontonisgrowing.GDPisexpectedtobeat2012’smarkbythreepercent.Populationisgrowingsteadily,andhousingstartsandbuildingpermitsarebacktopre-recessionlevels,accordingtocityeconomists.Retailsalesalsocontinuetogrow.

lowtaxesAstrumpetedbyEdmontonEconomicDevelopment:“Wehavenoprovincialsalestax,thelowestoverallpersonalincometaxesinCanada,lowcorporateincometaxes,nocapitaltax,nopayrolltax,nomachinerytaxandnoequipmenttax.”

edmonton: open for business

v7.1 2013 39

NAIT’s JR Shaw School of Business supports leaders and entrepreneurs. We promise relevant knowledge, real skills and rewarding careers to our students in business programs. We deliver on that promise every day.

As a leading polytechnic, NAIT offers hands-on, technology-based learning. We work with industry to solve real-world problems and build new ventures. We meet current and emerging needs with career-ready grads and applied business solutions. Essential to Alberta, our programs inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and innovators.

TO BUSINESSnait.ca/business

Techlife –Fall 20137.25” by 4.75”, full colour

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Visit nait.ca/alumniawards, email us at alumni@nait.ca, or call 780.471.8539

Submit your Nomination by December 31

#ookforalifetime NAIT Alumni

FOR ALIFETIMEwww.nait.ca/alumniOOK

Spirit of NAIT Alumni AwardRecognizes remarkable achievements earned by a NAIT Alum within 12 years of graduation.

Alumni Award of DistinctionHonouring NAIT alumni who have earned professional prominence and have contributed signifi cant service to NAIT or the community.

1. 2.

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE NAIT ALUMNI AWARDS!

Do you know a NAIT graduate whose achievements make you want to stand and cheer? NAIT celebrates successful alumni with two awards that recognize achievement

innovAte

BLooD HouNDSnait and edmonton police service combine forces for animal health.

Ph

oto

s by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN

maverick, a member of the edmonton police service canine unit, gave blood at nait’s animal blood bank.

40 techlifemag.ca

v7.1 2013 41

maverickhasahigh-riskjob.AsamemberoftheEdmontonPoliceServicecanineunit,thefour-year-oldGermanShepherdmaybecalledupontoprotectEdmontoniansbytrackingthieves,sniffingoutillegaldrugsandjumpingfencestoapprehendsuspects.

Thisspring,healsohelpedfellowcaninesbydonatingbloodatNAIT.WithCanada’sdogpopulationexceedingfivemillionin2011,

caninebloodisinchronicshortsupply.NAIT’sAnimalBloodBank–Alberta’sonlycollectionsitefortheCanadianAnimalBloodBankinWinnipeg–workstoensuredogssufferingfromanemia,injuriesorwhoneedcancertreatmentsandothermajorsurgicalprocedureshaveaccesstoblood.“Wearealwaysinneedofdonors,”saysanimalhealthinstructorshauna Lesick(AnimalHealthTechnology’86),whovolunteerswiththedonorprogram.

Thisspring,Maverickwasoneofseveralpolicedogsthatdonatedoveratwo-weekperiod.Heremainedcalmashewaspreppedforthe15-minuteprocedure.HispartnerandhandlerConst.MurrayBurkeheldhisheadwhenLesickdrewaunitofblood,roughly450millilitres,withthehelpofstudentsfromtheAnimalHealthTechnologyandVeterinaryMedicalAssistantprograms.

After,Maverickwelcomedtherewardtreats.“Treatsareimportant.Wewanthimtocomebackandgiveagain,”Lesicksays.

Thedonations–morethan2,000since2001–arecollectedatNAITandsenttoWinnipegwheretheyareseparatedintobloodtypesandshippedacrossCanada.

“It’sanimportantcause,”saysBurke.“Ifmypoliceservicedogwastoeverrequirebloodbecauseofaninjury,Iwouldhopetherewasanadequatesupplyavailable.”Maverickwillbearegulardonor,andBurkeplanstohavehisowndogdonatebloodaswell.

— Nancy McGuire

give fRoM the heARtIfyourdogis:

• onetosixyearsold

• healthy

• even-tempered

• 23kilogramsor heavier(butnotobese)

• properlyvaccinated

sheorheiseligibletodonateatNAIT’sAnimalBloodBank.

Call 780.491.1324 fordetails.

Const. murray burke helps as nait students and staff draw a pint of blood (below) from his partner, maverick.

... is U!

All that’s missing...

Look us up when you graduate!

www.spartancontrols.com

PeoPle

GoLDbest of

nAt i on

v7.1 2013 43

ifyou’relookingfortheworld’sbestairconditioningandrefrigerationmechanic,you’llfindhiminGrandePrairie.ForCanada’sbestyoungcabinetmaker,tryanindustrialparkinPonoka.Nearly40kilometres

north,inWetaskiwin,there’sanautomotivemechanicwithsimilarbraggingrights.Hinton’syourspotfortop-notchautobodypainting,andEdmontonforsheetmetal.

Howdoweknow?WorldSkills2013,aninternationalcompetitionwidelyregardedastheOlympicsofthetrades,toldusso.Lastyear,NAITapprenticestooktopspotsatSkillsCanadatoearnfiveofthe32spotsonTeamCanada–morethananyotherpost-secondaryinstituteinthe

country.ThisJuly,theyheadedtoLeipzig,Germanytotestthemselvesagainsttechniciansandbuildersfrom52countriesandregions.One,MichaelScheideman,returnedwithagoldmedalandCanada’s“BestofNation”title.

“Ourbeststudentsabsolutelycompetewiththeverybestintheworld,”saysDr.GlennFeltham,NAITpresidentandCEO.What’smore,theyrepresentthepowerofpolytechniceducation.“Theytrulydoreflectthelevelofourprograms.”

Andso,too,dotheyrepresenttheleveloftalentfoundscatteredacrossAlberta–ifyouknowwheretolook.MeetTeamNAIT.

story by scott messenger

Photos by bLaIse van maLsen

best in clAss

“ school and learning from somebody at Work can only take yoU so far. Working With my trainers and going overseas, yoU jUst learn so mUch more.”

refr

iger

ation

an

d a

ir

con

ditio

nin

g m

echa

nic

mich

ael s

ch

eiDeM

An

|

Age: 22

hoMetown: grande Prairie

eMPloyeR: albright refrigeration, grande Prairie

event: refrigeration and air conditioning

coAch: sean donnan (refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic ’12), Worldskills 2011 competitor

Age when intRoDUceD to the tRADe: 14

fAvoURite PARt of the job: the variety – he’ll fix air con systems in giant mining trucks one day, home units the next

oDDbAll AccoMPlishMent: transforming an old golf cart into an atv – “it does 50 miles an hour.”

“ everything comes doWn to ProPer PreParation before yoU Paint. everything else is jUst gUn control and techniQUe. it has to come natUrally. yoU can’t force it.”

med

allion of

PeoPle

44 techlifemag.ca

tyleR h

oR

e | aU

to b

od

y techn

ician

Age: 21

hoMetown: hinton

eMPloyeR: apex auto body, hinton

event: car Painting

coAch: jason cumby, production manager, apex auto body

hiDDen tAlent: drawing

lAtest new AUto boDy skill: air-brushing

woRlDskills life lesson: over-coming shyness

Age: 21

hoMetown: millet

eMPloyeR: j&e motors, Wetaskiwin

event: automobile technology

coAch: rob Prediger, associate chair, automotive service technician

coMPetitive ADvAntAge: an ability to think through problems quickly, says Prediger

fAvoURite tAsk: troubleshooting

Pet PRoject: restoring a 1970 ford half-ton

“ cars tell yoU a lot more information than they Used to aboUt Where to find the Problem and fix it. bUt there are the times When they don’t, and that shoWs Where the real technicians come in.”

tyleR kenyon | aUto service technician

v7.1 2013 45 v7.1 2013 45

nolAn sPAk | sheet metal Worker

Age: 22

hoMetown: edmonton

eMPloyeR: always Plumbing & heating, edmonton

event: sheet metal technology

coAch: grant Craplewe (sheet metal Worker ‘98), instructor, sheet metal Worker, nait

ReAson he loves the tRADe: the variety of applications, from heavy industry to homes and small businesses

woRlDskills eye-oPeneR: how much europe has computerized fabrication

fUtURe PlAns: open a custom sheet metal shop

“ Worldskills has been sUch a big Part of my life. it Will take a While to transition back into normal life. i’ve loved every minUte of it.”

Age: 22

hoMetown: Ponoka

eMPloyeR: Ponoka cabinet makers

event: joinery

coAch: roger cloutier, associate chair, millwork and carpentry

joineRy exPlAineD: building joints for doors, windows, stairs

skill he’D like to iMPRove: speed

highlight fRoM coMPetitions: win-ning $16,000 in tools

“ i mUst be doing something right, seeing as Where i’m at.”

bA

Rt vA

n h

AA

Ren

| cab

inetm

aker

PeoPle

46 techlifemag.ca

ceiling

UnliMiteDedmonton Chamber of Commerce president james Cumming shares his view of the city’s economic future.

Ph

oto

by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN

v7.1 2013 47

UnliMiteDtechlife: what is the role of the chamber of commerce?

JamesCumming:Thechamberisheretoimprovethebusinessenvironmentforitsmembersandthebusinesscommunityatlarge.Thiscouldincludetaxationlevels,accesstolabour,economicdevelopmentactivities,infrastructureissuesandwaystogetproductstomarket.

you’ve had success growing and leading companies here in edmonton. what made you leave the corporate world and take this role?

AftertheothershareholdersandIsoldCreativeDoorandIresignedfrommyroleaspresidentandCEO,Iwascontemplatingwhatwasnext.Thiswasanicewaytogetinvolvedwiththecommunityinamoresignificantwaythanrunninganotherprivatebusiness.

what are three key issues that are affecting edmonton’s business community?

Thebiggestissueisthelabourshortage.Weneedprovincialandfederalpolicythataddressesthisgrowingneed.Andwelooktothecitytocomeupwithstrategiesthatmakethisadesirabledestination.Beingaffordable,beingsafe–thosearepiecesofthepuzzlethatwillallowustorecruittalent.

Thesecondmajorconcernisourcommodity-based[oilandgas]economyhasonemaincustomer:theUnitedStates.Weneedaccesstoexpandedmarketstotakesomeofthevolatilityoutofthemarketplace.

Lastly,withanewmayorandmanynewfacesoncouncil,weneedtomakesurethattherightissuesarebeingdebated–forbusinessandthecommunity.Ifwehaveathrivingbusinessenvironmentthenwehaveathrivingsocialenvironment–thetwogohandinhand.

what does the ideal business future look like for edmonton?

I’dliketoencourageEdmonton’sentrepreneurstocontinuetogrowtheirbusinessesandmarketssotheybecomeplayersonamoreglobalstage.PCLandStantecaregreatexamplesofhomegrownbusinessesthathavedoneverywell.I’dalsoliketoseeourpost-secondaryinstitutesplayabiggerroleinprovidingcontinuingeducation,whichhelps[thosebusinesses]grow.

what advice would you give edmonton’s new mayor to help us get there?

Therehastobeabalancebetweenhowyouspendtocreateassetsthatpeoplewanttouseandhowyoutaxtoensurethatit’saffordableforpeoplewhowanttolivehere.It’simportanttohaveabig,boldvision,butit’simportanttohaveitbackedupwithapracticalapplicationthatkeepsuscompetitivesothatwecancontinuetoattracttalent,businessesand,whenwesellourgoodsabroad,wedon’tputourselvesatadisadvantage.

what role should naIt’s Jr shaw school of business play in building the local business community?

Manyofouralumnifromthetradesandtechnologyprogramswanttogooutandstartabusiness.It’ssomucheasierifyouhavesomebusinesseducation.IfNAITembedsbusinesstraininginallitsprograms,itwillincreasethesuccessrateofthesestartups.

It’s been 32 years since you graduated from naIt. what advice would you offer the next generation of grads?

Youjusthadtoremindmeofthat!Makesurethatyou’regivingback.Mybusinesslifehasgivenmethecapitalandthegroundingthatgivesmetheluxurytogooutandhelp.That’saprivilegethatshouldn’tbetakenforgranted.

edmontonisagreatplaceforbusiness.Fromnowthrough2025,thecityisprojectedtogrowbynearlyeverymetric:GDP,buildingpermits,housingstartsandsoon.Theonlynumbernotgoingupisunemployment.Thatmeansrecruitingskilledlabourisonlygoingtogetharder,whichiswhyJames Cumming,thenewpresidentoftheEdmontonChamberofCommerce,ismakingthatissueoneofhispriorities.

Aveteranlocalbusinessleader,Cumming(ConstructionEngineeringTechnology’81,chairoftheNAITBoardofGovernors2010-13,Top50Alumnus)isworkingwiththechamber’s2,700memberstoensuregovernmentpolicyalignswithmarketplacedemands.Tolearnhow,werecentlyjoinedhimatthechamber’sheadquartersintheWorldTradeCentre.Yes,Edmontonhasoneofthose.

— Ruth Juliebo

Ask An exPeRt

48 techlifemag.ca

ELEVAToR SPEECHAguywalksontoanelevatorandintwofloorsorlessletsothersknowwhoheisandwhathehastooffer.He’sdeliveredan“elevatorspeech,”orwhatMcGhandescribesasa30-secondverbalcoverletter.Forexample,afriendofMcGhan’ssaysinhiselevatorspeech:“Ihelppeoplemaketheirmortgagestax-deductible.”Yourelevatorspeechshouldofferrelevantinformationaboutyou,customizedtoyourgoals.Soifyouhopetolandajobinmarketing,yourelevatorspeechcouldstartwith,“Hi,I’mJaneJonesandImakevideosgoviral.”

danradovanovicwaslivingandworkinginGrandePrairiewhenheandhiswifedecidedtheyneededtobeclosertofamilyinEdmonton.Sowhenhefoundhimselfthrustintoanirresistiblenetworkingopportunity,hepounced.

AtaNAITdinnerwherehereceivedtheSandvikCoromantLeadershipAward,the36-year-oldmachinistmadeaconnectionwithaSandvikCoromantrepwholatertookhimtohalfadozenmachineshopsinEdmonton.HegotajobofferfromeachoneandstartedasageneralmachinistatArgusMachineCo.inJanuary2012.

“Whenyou’relookingforworkandyou’replacedinanopportunitywherethere’speoplearoundwhocanhelp,don’tholdback,”saysRadovanovic(Machinist’11).

It’saperfectexampleofhownetworkingcanfurtheryourcareer,saysKeven mcghan,associatechairofmanagementatNAIT’sJRShawSchoolofBusiness.Themoreconnectionsyouhave,thebiggerthepoolofpeopleyouhavetodrawfromwhenyouneedtofindajobormakeacrucialcareermove.“Ifyou’vedevelopedabunchofgreatrelationships,you’renotgoingtoMonster.comwhenyoudecideyouwantacareerchange.”

McGhan(Finance’89)teachesnetworkingskillsandbusinessetiquetteaspartofhissalesmanagementcourses.Eachsemester,hisstudentshostanetworkingdinnerforemployers,atwhichmanyofthestudentsmake“handshakedeals”thatoftenleadtojobs.

Evenifyou’repainfullyshy,youcanlearntonetwork,whetheryourunintothatverydesirablecontactatanetworkingeventorwhilewaitingtocrossadowntownstreet.BuildingonRadovanovic’s

“bedirect”approach,McGhanoffershistoptipstohelpyoubuildconfidenceandmakesureyounevermissachancetoconnect.

— Eliza Barlow

BE iNTERESTiNGBeprimedtotalkaboutcurrenteventssoyouwon’tbeafraidofhavingnothingtosay.Showuptoaneventarmedwithaninteresting–andpositive–newsstorytodiscuss.“Don’ttalkpolitics,atleastnotatthebeginning.Itcanbeverypolarizing.”

ADD VALuEThinkaboutwhatyoucandoforyournewcontact,nottheotherwayaround.“Yourfirstobjectiveshouldbetohelpsomeoneelse,”saysMcGhan.“Ifyouintroducethemtosomeoneorsomethingthat’sgoingtohelpthem,they’regoingtorememberthat.” Il

lust

rA

tIo

Ns

by A

Nd

y o

vIA

tt

build your network with these nine tips

v7.1 2013 49

MASTER THE ART of SMALL TALkIt’snotassmallasyoumightthink.Goodsmall-talkersaretheoneswhopractice“hostbehaviour.”McGhansays,“Trytomaketheotherpersonfeelascomfortableaspossible.Askthemlotsofquestionsaboutthemselves,showinterestandaskfollow-upquestions.”Mostpeoplewilleventuallystarttoaskaboutyou–andgiveyouachancetoshine.

MAkE SoME PoST-CHAT NoTESAfteragreatconversationwithanewcontact,writedownafewnotesonthebackofhisbusinesscard–forexample,ahobbyorinteresthementioned.Itwillhelpkeeptheconversationgoingwhenyousendafollow-upemail.Ifyoufoundouthehasasailboat,McGhansuggestsdoingsomeresearchonsailingandincludingalinktoanonlinearticlewithanotetosay,“Hey,Iwasreadingthisandthoughtofyou.”

TAkE A BuDDyIntrovertscanbenefitfromabuddysystematimportantnetworkingevents.“Gowithsomeonewhoismoreoutgoingthanyou,”suggestsMcGhan,andleanonthepersontointroduceyoutosomecontacts.“Eventually,confidencewillcomeandyouwon’tneedthemasmuch.”Abuddycanalsocutinandhelpsteeryouawayifyou’vebeenwaylaidbysomeonefortoolongandarehavingtroubleendingtheconversation.

Don’trelyonLinkedInorothersocialmediaasyourmainnetworkingtool.Itdoesn’treplaceface-to-facecontact,saysMcGhan.AddsomeoneonLinkedInonlyafteryou’vemethimorherinperson.

Lookatanetworkingeventoropportunityasaplacetomakeafewmeaningfulcontacts,notcollectasmanybusinesscardsasyoucan.

Eyecontactiscrucialwhiletalkingtosomeone,saysMcGhan.

“Don’tscantheroomforthenext,mostinterestingtarget.”

NETWoRkiNG NoN-STARTERS

1 2 3

50 techlifemag.ca

WiN an ooK t-shirt!

Allwinnerswillbenotifiedbyemail.Choiceofshirtsizecannotbeguaranteed.Winnersfromthenewslettersubscriptioncontestweraninissue6.1arenoteligible.

have you trIeDBakinggradamy nachtigall’srecipeforgingercookies?(Ifnot,doyouknowwheretofindthem?)

Do you knowhowtolimityourriskwhendealingwithrenovationcontractors?

Do you haveabudgetingstrategyfortheupcomingholidayseason?

have you seenPersonalFitnessTrainergradamy Pysar’soutdoorworkoutvideo?

DID you hearaboutKai dan,themostdecoratedstudentathleteinNAIT’shistory?

Ifyouanswerednotoanyofthesequestions,youshouldsubscribetooure-newsletter!

Eighttimesayear,we’llsendyouthelatestfromtechlifemag.ca,ouronlinetechnologylifestylemagazine.Overthepastyear,wefeaturedthestorieslistedaboveanddozensofothersyouwon’tfindintheprinteditionoftechlife–they’reonlyontheweb.

Stopmissingout–andwin!Visittechlifemag.ca,clickSubscribeandfillintheappropriatefields.Do so before Jan. 31, 2014 and we’ll enter you in a random draw to win one of 10 limited-edition “generation ooks” t-shirts.

Ifyou’realreadyasubscriber–thanks!Youcanstillenter.Sendyournametocontests@techlifemag.caanduseT-shirtasthesubject.

techlifemag.ca

Good luck! see you online.

cUlinAit

v7.1 2013 51

hokanson chef in residence chris cosentino forces students to face the facts about where meat comes from and how to use it responsibly.

story by JennIFer cockraLL-kIng

Photos by bLaIse van maLsen

featured alumni

rosario caputo,CulinaryArts’05

Daniel costa,CulinaryArts’05

brayden kozak,CulinaryArts’02

blair Lebsack,Cook’98

corey meyer,RetailMeatcutting’96

Dan westgeest,ComputerNetworkAdministration’02,RetailMeatcutting’05,CulinaryArts’07P

ho

to s

uP

PlI

ed

cUlinAit

52 techlifemag.ca

hokansonchefin

residenceThisuniqueprogram

providesstudentsintheSchoolofHospitality

andCulinaryArtswitharareopportunityto

learnfromthebestchefsintheworld.Theprogram–theresultof

agenerousdonationfromJohnandSusan

Hokanson–beganwithCanadiancelebritychef

RobFeeniein2009,followedbyDavidAdjey

in2010,SusurLeein2011andMassimo

Caprain2012.

Chris Cosentino helps students, including

emily olson and briana overacker (below), prepare dishes for

hokanson Chef in residence events.

-DANWESTGEEST,CHAIR PROFESSIONALMEATCUTTINGANDMERCHANDISING

v7.1 2013 53

A s50culinaryartsstudentsincrispwhitechefjacketsjostleforseatsinaNAITfoodlab,ChrisCosentinostridestothefrontoftheroom.With

allofhisdutiesas2013HokansonChefinResidence–masterclasseslikethisone,publicappearances,anddinnersandluncheonshehasyettoprepare–there’snotamomenttospare.

Asfarasfamouschefsgo,Cosentinoishighlyrecognizable.It’snotjustfortheBuddyHollyglassesandtheculinary-themedtattoos(there’sabutcher’sdiagramofapigononearmandafork-knife-and-spoonsetontheother).NorisitnecessarilyfortheappearancesonIron Chef AmericaandNext Iron Chef,orforwinningTop Chef Mastersin2012.CosentinoisoneofNorthAmerica’stopadvocatesfornose-to-tailcuisine,makinguseofvirtuallyeverything,includingoffal–thoseinnardsandextremitiesoncedismissivelyreferredtoas“varietymeats.”

Asiftoproveit,Cosentinostartsbyshowinghisclassavideoinwhichhetransformsanenormouspig’sheadintoporchetta di testasalumi,anItalianslow-cookedmeatrollinvolvingthehead,tongueandears.

Atfirst,gaspsand“eeeuuwws”ricochetaroundtheroombutsoonanenthusiasticroundofquestionstakesover.Thesechefs-to-beaskaboutcookingtime,seasoningandothertechnicalaspectsofmakingporchetta di testaandothersalumi.

Nodoubt,Cosentinoappreciatesthis.TheexecutivechefofSanFrancisco’saward-winningIncantorestaurantisdeterminedtochangehowourdisposablesocietythinksaboutthewholeanimal,beyondtherib-eyeandtenderloin.Andwhilehewantstheseup-and-comingAlbertachefstoconfronttherealityoftheoriginofasteak,chickenbreastorporkchop,healsowantsthemtotakethatasanopportunitytopushthemselvescreatively.Ifhe’ssuccessful,itcouldbeatriplewin:forourlivestockandtheenvironment,forthesefuturechefs’foodbudgetsandforadventurousdiners.

Sensingthathe’sgottheclasspastthefirsthurdle,CosentinotellsthestudentsthathetriestotakehiskitchenstafftoharvestapigonaCaliforniafarmatleastonceayear.It’sanextremelyemotionalexperience,heexplains,anditchangesyou.Heseesthatinhisstaffandhasseenitinhimself.

“ThedayIfirstharvestedananimalwasthedayIputmoreoffalonthemenu,”hesays.“Youbecomeveryhumbled.”

danielwestgeest(RetailMeatcutting‘05,CulinaryArts‘07),chairofNAIT’sProfessionalMeatcuttingandMerchandisingprogram,applaudsCosentino’sphilosophy.“Cosentino’sattitudeisthatwehavetobenicetotheearththatisbeingnicetous.Doingthingsinahumanemannerandbeingmoreresponsible,that’sthenewgenerationofchefscomingup.”

cUlinAit

54 techlifemag.ca

NorthAmericanmeatproductionishugelyresourceintensive.Itcantakeupto15,000litresofwaterandsevento10kilogramsofgraintoproducetheone-kilopackageofbeefinthegrocerystore.

“It’stimetoputliverandonionsbackonthemenu,tousethebonestomakestockagain,”Westgeesturges.

SeveralEdmontonchefshavealreadystartedtorevivecomfortfoodsbasedonnose-to-tailethics,withhomemadesalumiandoffalrecipesreimaginedinamodernway.

Creativitydrivesdaniel Costa(CulinaryArts’05),chefandownerofCorso32,tofeaturenon-primarycutsandoffalonhismenu.Clearly,it’sbeengoodforbusiness,asreservationsatthisdowntownEdmontonrestaurantareamongthetoughesttogetinthecity.

CostadrawsadirectlinefromhisItalianrootstonose-to-tailcooking.Hegrewupeatingoxtail(thetoughbone-incutofbeeftailthatrequireslong

stewingorbraising),andchickenorturkeyheartsandneckstuffedwithsausage.Thiswascuisineofthequinto quarto,literallyananimal’s“fifthquarter,”orwhatremainsafterbutcheringtheouterforeandhindquarters.Heremindsusthatmanyfamiliarfavouriteswerebornofresourcefulness.

“Lookathowravioliwascreated,”hesays.“Youtaketheoff-cutsandstufftheminastarch.Youbecomecreativewiththeingredientsyouhaveavailable.”

AtCorso32,Costathrillsatthedepthofflavoursandthevarietyoftextureshecancoaxfromthesemeats.Heexplainsthatwhilethesedishesinvolvemorecookingskill,likehisbraisedtripewithtomatoandchili,therewardismoreflavourperpound,whichkeepsfoodcostsdownandcustomersatisfactionhigh.Andapparently,Edmontoniansaremoreopen-mindedthanever.“Inour34-seatrestaurant,we’llsell14ordersofchickenliverpernight.”

edmonton,snout-to-tailTrytheserestaurants

forafull-bodiedculinaryexperience.

Becauseofthenatureofusingthe

wholeanimal,nose-to-tailmenuitems

changeregularly.

corso3210345JasperAve.

chef/ownerDanielCosta

(CulinaryArts’05)

cibobistro11244-104Ave.

chef/ownerRosarioCaputo

(CulinaryArts’05)

threeboars8424-109St.

chef/ownerBraydenKozak

(CulinaryArts’02)

rgerd10643-123St.

chef/ownerBlairLebsack

(Cook’98)

right, Chris Cosentino offers

hands-on instruction to student eric

anderson. far right, Cosentino’s green chili steak tartare on crostini. below,

rosario Caputo, owner of edmonton’s

Cibo bistro, embraces cooking

with off-cuts.

v7.1 2013 55

Rosario Caputo(CulinaryArts’05),CiboBistro’sownerandchef,alsolovesthecreativechallengesofoffal.Forhisoldercustomers’pleasure,he’sresurrecting

“tastememories”oftheiryouth.Andyoungerdinerslovethenoveltyofuntastedterritory.Whenhecan,Caputofeaturesguanciale(aged,curedporkjowl),bresaola(air-dried,agedsaltedbeef)andlardo(salt-brinedandcuredporkfat).Lastsummer,heorderedawholepig’sheadforporchetta di testa,whichhethoughthe’dendupthrowingout.Buthiscustomers,quiteliterally,ateitup.

“I’mnowonmy26thhead,”hesays.Interestisspreadingbeyondthecity’srestaurants.

Corey meyer(RetailMeatcutting’96),third-generationmeat-cutterandownerofAcmeMeatMarket,hasbecomeadefactosuppliertothosewhohavedinedoutonnose-to-tailmenusandwanttotryitathome.Demandforporkbellyathissouth-sideshop,Meyersays,is“offthecharts.”Healsogetsrequestsforbrain,skin,kidneysandheart.Handlingfullandhalfcarcassesandcuttingtoordergiveshimabusinessadvantage.

“It’snotlikeasupermarketcanhandlethesetypesofrequests,”saysMeyer.

tocloseoutthemasterclass,Cosentinopreparesagreenchili-spikedsteaktartareservedonaroundofbaguette.Today,heusesrawbeefchuck,atougher,shouldercutusuallyreservedforlongbraisingorgroundbeef,ratherthantherawbeefheartservedatIncanto.Everystudent,eventhevegetariansintheroom,isencouragedtotryit.It’spartoftheirculinaryeducation,hetellsthem.

ErickaDegner,18,ashy,second-semesterstudent,hesitatesbeforebitingintotheruby-redmeat.“Thisisallnew,”shesays,surprisedthatshelikesit.“I’mhappyheinspiredmetotryit.IwouldhaveregretteditifIhadn’t.”

“Yourjobistogetbettereveryday,”Cosentinotellsthem.Gettingbetter,hesays,isaboutopeninguptonewexperiencesandsettinggoalsof“creatingtastememories,everyday.”

What’smore,hearguesthattheyareuniquelypositionedaschefstocreatedemandandinterestinoffalandoff-cuts.Inthissense,heseestheirrolesasbothculinaryartistsandactivists.Hisownfoodsuggeststhatyoucanputthebestinterestsofanimalsandenvironment,yourbusinessandyourcustomers,togetherinonedish.

Afterall,saysCosentinoasafinalthoughttothenextgenerationofchefs,“Youcanonlychangetheworldoneplateatatime.”

cUlinAit

56 techlifemag.ca

From Beginnings:

My Way to start a Meal by chrIs cosentIno

SERVES4

ham hocks2 ham hocks, about 500 g (1 lb) in total

½ medium yellow onion 1 large carrot, halved

1 celery rib, halved3 bay leaves

LentILs105 g (½ cup) green lentils,

picked over and rinsed1 head garlic, split crosswise

½ medium yellow onion ½ large carrot, halved

1 bay leafkosher salt and freshly ground

black pepper

to FInIsh4 swiss chard leaves,

preferably with white ribs15 ml (1 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil,

plus more for drizzling45 g (¼ cup) finely diced yellow onion

45 g (¼ cup) finely diced peeled carrot30 ml (2 tbsp) thinly sliced garlic

250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock5 ml (1 tsp) sherry vinegar

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

ham hocks

Combinethehocks,onion,carrot,celery,bayleavesand1.25L(5cups)waterinaheavypotand

cookslowlyfor2to3hoursoruntilverytender.(Touseapressurecooker,followthemanufacturer’s

instructions,securethelid,bringuptofullpressureandcookfor45to60minutes.Letthepressure

releasenaturallyfor10minutes,thenuncover.)Removethehocksandsetasideonaplatetocool.

Strainthebrothanddiscardthesolids.Reserve375ml(1½cups)ofthebroth,discardtheremainder

orreserveforanotheruse.Removethemeatfromthehamhocks,discardingtheskinandbones.

Coverandrefrigerate.

LentILs

Inasaucepan,bringthelentilsand750ml(3cups)watertoaboiloverhighheat.Immediately

removethepanfromtheheat,drainthelentils,rinseundercoldrunningwaterandreturnthelentils

tothepan.Add750ml(3cups)water,thegarlic,onion,carrotandbayleaftothepanandbringtoa

simmerovermediumheat.Cookjustuntilthelentilsaretenderbutnotsplit,15to20minutes.Drain

thelentilswellanddiscardthevegetablesandbayleaf.Spreadthelentilsonarimmedbakingsheet,

seasonwithsaltandpepperandletcoolcompletely.Coverandrefrigerate.

to FInIsh

Separatethegreenleavesfromthechardribs.Separatelycuttheleavesandribscrosswiseintostrips

1cm(½inch)wide.Inaheavysaucepanovermedium-highheat,warmtheoliveoil.Addtheonion,

carrot,chardribsandgarlictothepanandcook,stirringoccasionally,untilthevegetablesaretender,

about4minutes.Addthereservedlentils,theham-hockmeat,thereserved375ml(1½cups)ofham

brothandthechickenstockandbringtoagentlesimmer.Addthechardleavesandcookuntilthe

leavesaretender,about4minutes.Tasteforseasoningandadjustwithvinegar.Tasteagainandadjust

theseasoningwithsaltandpepper,ifneeded.(Thehamhockbrothcansometimesbesaltyenough.)

Toserve,ladleintowarmedbowlsandtopeachservingwithadrizzleofoliveoil.

[ ReciPe ]

v7.1 2013 57

sPAces

58 techlifemag.ca

f r o m t h e t o pthE viEw

v7.1 2013 59

thepanoramicviewfromthe8thfloorloungeoftheNAITJRShawSchoolofBusinessmakesitaperennialfavouritestudentandstaffhangout.Throughouttheyears,ithasbeenagreatplacetowatchthecityevolve.Sincethetoweropenedin1965,downtownEdmontonhasbeentransformed,startingwiththeopeningoftheCNTower,which,at26storeys,wasoncethetallestbuildingwestofToronto.Closertocampus,visitorstotheloungewouldhaveseentheNAITActivitiesCentreopenin1973,KingswayMallopenin1976andtheLoisHolef r o m t h e t o p

HospitalforWomenopenin2010.Inthecomingdecades,thetowerwillprovideagreatviewoftheBlatchfordredevelopmentontheCityCentreAirportlandsjustwestofcampus,aprojectthatwillbetransformativeforNAITandthelocalcommunity.Inthemeantime,staffandstudentscontinuetoenjoytheviewfromthetower.“8thfloorBusinessToweristhebestkeptsecretat#NAIT,”librarianKalinJensentweetedrecently.

“Awesomeview,lotsofseating,watchingastormrollin…#yeg”.

— Kristen Vernon

Ph

oto

by

jeA

Net

te

jAN

zeN

We’re helping business become more efficient and productive in a global economy.

NAIT Corporate and International Training draws on the Institute’s more than 200 programs to customize and deliver training across a range of competencies.

TO TRAININGInvest in your team. nait.ca/cit | 780.378.1230

TRANSFORM YOUR CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAM

A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO

STUDENT SUCCESS

techlife Fall 2013: 7.25” w x 4.75”h

60 techlifemag.ca

ESSENTIAL SOLUTIONS THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCHNAIT’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation, novaNAIT, connects entrepreneurs and industry partners with faculty and students to create practical solutions to real-world problems. Services include:

• industry-driven applied research and innovation

• facilitated access to NAIT expertise, technological support and resources from more than 250 programs

• product development services including prototyping, business development planning and technical consultancy

• facilitation and management of funding opportunities and contracts.

Learn how novaNAIT can assist you:

E: novanaitinfo@nait.ca www.novanait.ca

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS11762 – 106 St. Edmonton Alberta Canada t5g 2r1

5 wAys

v7.1 2013 61

1 SHoPPiNGPurchasequalitycutsofmeatandfishpreparedbystudentsattheRetailMeatStore,locatedintheCommonMarketonMainCampus.ThestoreisopenTuesdaytoThursday(10a.m.to2p.m.),mid-Septembertomid-April(closedmid-Decembertomid-January).Formoreinformation,visitnait.ca/retailmeatstoreorcall780.471.8678.

2 DiNiNGEnjoycontemporarycuisinepreparedandservedbyCulinaryArtsandHospitalityManagementstudentsatErnest’s,NAIT’son-campusrestaurant.Openmid-SeptemberthroughApril(closedmid-Decembertomid-January),Ernest’sserveslunchMondaytoThursday,withabuffeteveryFriday.DinnerservicerunsTuesdaytoFriday,withspecialeventsonSaturday.Viewthemenuandmakereservationsatnait.ca/ernestsorcall780.471.8676.

5 fiTNESSNAIT’srecreationfacilitiesincludeanarena,fitnessandweightcentre,pool,squashandracquetballcourts,gymnasiumandindoorrunningtrack.Forinformationonmembershipsandmore,visitnait.ca/recreationorcall780.471.7713.

4 SoCiALiZiNGDoyouenjoyconnectingwithalumniandwanttogiveback?TheAlumniCouncileventssubcommitteeislookingforvolunteerstohelpcoordinateevents.Tobepartofthisteam,contactalumni@nait.caorcall780.471.8539.

3 ENTERTAiNMENTCheerontheOoks!Withteamscompetinginbasketball,hockey,volleyballandmore,thereissuretobeasportforyou.Adultadmissionrangesfromfreeto$7andchildrenunder12arealwaysfree.Forseasonpasses,groupticketsandschedules,visitnait.ca/athleticsorcall780.471.7713.P

ho

tos

by N

AIt

stA

ff P

ho

tog

rA

Ph

ers

get involved with nAitfive great reasons to come back to campus

62 techlifemag.ca

STREETsmarthow bob dunford keeps edmonton in motion

on weekends, bob dunford

(civil engineering technology

’78) leaves his trademark

wide-brimmed fedora at

home. in what free time he

has, the director of road

maintenance for the city

of edmonton would rather

not be so easily recognized

and risk getting an earful

about snowy roads or

potholes. roads are one of

those things people love to

hate, but dunford didn’t go

into the job for pats on the

back (though he does get a

compliment, now and then).

he joined the city’s roadway

maintenance department

as a new nait grad and has

stayed for 35 years, doing

everything from pavement

management to bridge

technology to running the

asphalt plant to his current

role in operations. he knows

edmonton’s 11,800 lane

kilometres of road – nearly

the distance from here to

st. john’s and back – more

intimately than anyone. each

day, he does his utmost to

make sure edmontonians

can safely use them to get

where they need to go.

ialwaysknewiwantedtoworkinroads.Youseetheresultsofyourworkrightaway.Youhaveaperpetualresponsibilityandyoucanseetheimpactyouhaveonkeepingthecitymovingeveryday.

igettoworkataround6:30a.m.tocatchuponcorrespondenceandgetadailyupdatefrommyteamaboutwhat’shappeningonthecity’sroads.Manydays,Iattendcitycouncilmeetingsorcouncilcommitteemeetingstotalkaboutlong-termbudgets.

ourbudgetis$105millionforoperationsand$160millionforcapitalprojects.Lastwinter,wehauledtwomillioncubicmetresofsnowandlaiddown185,000tonnesofabrasivesandde-icers.AsoftheendofJune,wehadfilledmorepotholesthantheaverageforanentireyear–about420,000.Ourlatestbigprojecthasbeenputtingtogetherafinancialstrategyforarterialroad[majorroutes]rehabilitation.

roadwaymaintenanceisalwaysinthepubliceye.Peopleliketotalkaboutsnowandiceinthewinter,andpotholesandstreetcleanupinthespring.Igethatemail.Peoplevent,whetherit’sinthenewspapers,onFacebookorTwitter.Youcan’ttakeittoheart.Thepublicserviceisn’tforeveryone.You’retryingtoaccomplishsomethingforthegreaterpublicgoodandyoucanoftenbeunderappreciated.

inthewinterof2010-11wemovedarecordamountofsnow.Thewestenddumpingsitehitalmost60metreshighanddidn’tmeltuntilSept.10.PeopletooktocallingitSnowDirtMountain[chuckles].Sometimes,ifyoucanhavealittlefunwithit,ithelps.

As told to Eliza Barlow

roaD maIntenance DIrector

• salary Range:$125-150,000/year

• Hours:50hoursaweek,MondaytoFriday

• Location:Office

• Education:CivilEngineeringTechnologydiploma,plusextensiveexperienceinallaspectsofroadwaymaintenance

cIvIL engIneerIng technoLogIst

• salary:$36.23/hour(meanwage)

• Hours:Regularofficehours,plusovertime

• Location:Officesandconstructionsites,sometimesinpoorweatherandinisolatedlocations

• Education:CivilEngineeringTechnologydiploma

the skInny

Ph

oto

by

blA

Ise

vA

N m

Als

eN

bob dunford, seen in a rare instance without his fedora

job DescRiPtion

v7.1 2013 63

64 techlifemag.ca

Through Syncrude’s Campus Recruitment program,post-secondary students like you can join one of the leading oil sands operations in North America.

Visit syncrude.ca/careers for additional information.

YOU SUPPLY THE DREAM. WE’LL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY.

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership, and Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership.

SYCPACC38055 Dream Bigger - Techlife.indd 1 6/14/13 10:25 AM

AcclAiM

v7.1 2013 65

moUnd of MeDAls CulinaryTeamNAITreturnedinMayfromtheHongKongInternationalCulinaryClassic13with20medals–anewrecordforNAIT.The11-memberteam(composedofstudents,coachesandtheteammanager)earnedfourgold,eightsilverandeightbronzemedals.TheeventwaspartofHOFEX2013,thelargestfoodandhospitalitytradeshowintheAsia-Pacificregion.

AnD the AwARD goes to...grads, staff and students continue to amass awards in multiple categories, from industry to innovation to athletics. here are a few recent winners.

man of inflUence perrymichetti,associatedeanoftheSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArts,wasnamedoneoftheprovince’s50MostInfluentialPeoplebyAlberta VenturemagazineinitsJuly2013issue.Theeditorsnotethat,underMichetti’sleadership,NAIThasbuilttheHokansonCentreforCulinaryArts,staffandstudentshavecapturedawardsatinternationalcompetitionsandtheschoolhasCanada’sfirstannualchef-in-residenceprogram.

hall of fAMeRFordominatingwheelchairracinginthe1980s,roberteaston(Management’82)wasinductedthisyearintotheCanadianParalympicHallofFame.Atthe’84and’88Paralympics,hetookeightgoldmedalsandonesilver,andheldmultipleworldrecords.Easton,whohascerebralpalsy,isalsoamemberoftheAlbertaSportsHallofFameandtheCanadianCerebralPalsySportsHallofFame.

instrUmental to leARningAfterjusttwoyearsasanInstrumentTechnicianinstructor,danbassett(InstrumentMechanic’97)hasearnedthe2012TopInstructorAwardforthenorthernregionfromAlbertaApprenticeshipandIndustryTraining.Thestudent-nominatedawardrecognizespresentationskills,fairnessandmore.After30yearsinindustrypriortoNAIT,Bassettsays,“I’mdefinitelyhappierteachingthanworkingintheplant.”

skills bUilDeRrobpredigerwasnamedthe2013SkillsVolunteeroftheYearfornineyearsofcoordinatingcompetitionsandjudgingforSkillsCanadaAlberta,anot-for-profitthatpromotestradesandtechnicalcareerstoyouth.FortheassociatechairoftheAutomotiveServiceTechnicianprogram,therewardliesinseeingtransformations.Atfirst,thehigh-schoolcompetitorsare“likedeerintheheadlights,”hesays.“Youcanseetheimprovementastheycompeteeachyear.”

food and loDging ThisJune,lancetorgerson(Management‘95,right)anddanielcosta(CulinaryArts’05)receivedNAIT’sAlumniAwardofDistinctionandSpiritofNAITaward,respectively.TorgersonrunsNoraltaLodgeLtd.,thelargestindependentindustriallodgingcompanyinthecountry.CostaistheownerofCorso32,namedoneofCanada’sbestrestaurantsbyMaclean’smagazine.

Ph

oto

s by

NA

It s

tAff

Ph

oto

gr

AP

her

s

RewinD

66 techlifemag.ca

anniversary memorabiliaNAIT’s25thanniversarykickedoffonOct.1,1987withFirstClassDay,celebratingtheday,25yearsearlier,when29CommunicationElectricianapprenticesbegantheirtraining.Studentsandinstructorsfromthatfirstclassreturnedforthefestivities,whichincludedaluncheonandbirthdaycake.Coffeeandteaweresoldatthe1962priceof10centsacup.CelebrationscontinuedthroughMay28,1988,whentheinstitutehelditsfirsthomecoming,with“alumnaits”fromeverygraduatingclassandsome50programsreturningforcampustours,adinneranddance.

open house poster and course calendarsInits25thyear,NAIToffered57diplomaandcertificateprograms,47apprenticeshiptradesandabout400continuingeducationcreditandnon-creditcourses.Today,NAIToffersapproximately140creditprogramsleadingtodegrees,applieddegrees,diplomasandcertificates,34apprenticeshiptradesandmorethan459non-creditcontinuingeducationcourses.

nest menuWhentheNestopenedin1988,studentscouldgetaMcNestbreakfastofscrambledeggs,bacon,cheeseandtoastfor$2.50,a12-ouncedraftfor$1.50anddeep-friedperogiesfor$3.50.Today,apintofdomesticbeersellsfor$5.75andthemenuincludesgourmetpizzas,hotdogsandburgersservedonartisanbread.

nait Queen selection rulesResponsibilitiesoftheNAITQueenincludedattendingandpromotingNAITStudentAssociation(NAITSA)events,representingthestudentassociationinthecompetitionforMissEdmontonEskimoandmore.Thetraditionlasted26yearsuntil1991,whenonlyonecandidatecameforward.Thequeenwaschosenthroughamixofpopularvoteandparticipationineventsthatincludedhumanpyramidbuilding,lipsyncingandafashionshow.ThequeenselectioncamewithaseriesofstrictregulationsoutlinedbyNAITSA,including“nokidnappingorstealingofcandidates.”The1988queenwasBusinessAdministrationstudentJoanneGeisinger.

Condoms and std/aids brochuresThefirstAIDSdiagnosiswasmadeintheU.S.in1981andinCanadaayearlater.Asthenumberofcasesclimbed,thecommunityandgovernmentsresponded.In1987,theWorldHealthOrganizationlaunchedaglobalAIDSstrategyandtheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministrationsaidthatcondomscouldbeusedtopreventthespreadofHIV.Ayearlater,theCanadianAIDSSocietyreleasedthecountry’sfirstsafesexguidelines.Thediseasewasonthemindof1987-88NAITSApresidentgord matthew(Management’87,Finance’88):

“Herein1988,thingsscareme.WillAIDSeverbecured?Willtherecontinuetobewidespreadworldhunger?WillNAITjanitorsstillbedrivingthosedangerousZamboni-likefloorpolishers!?”

buriedinthewallofthestudentlounge,theNest,in1988andopenedearlierthisyearaspartofNAIT@50celebrations,the25thanniversarytimecapsuleoffersaglimpseintoaworldthat,asmuchasithaschanged,hasstayedsomuchthesame.Here,alookatsomeoftheitemsdiscoveredintheblacktrunk.

— Kristen Vernon

Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/25th-anniversary-time-capsule.htm toread1987-88NAITSApresidentGordMatthew’sletter,whichheintendedtobereadduringthe50thanniversarycelebrationsin2013.

digging UP the PAst

Ph

oto

by

leI

gh

fr

ey

Insurance program endorsed by

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. The program is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in the rest of Canada.

Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *No purchase required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible persons belonging to employer, professional and alumni groups which have an agreement

with and are entitled to group rates from the organizers. Contest ends on October 31, 2013. Draw on November 22, 2013. One (1) prize to be won. The winner may choose between a Lexus ES 300h hybrid (approximate MSRP of $58,902 which includes freight, pre-delivery inspection, fees and applicable taxes) or $60,000 in Canadian funds. Skill-testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Complete contest rules available at melochemonnex.com/contest.

®/The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

Discover why over 375,000 graduates enjoy greater savings

Join the growing number of graduates who enjoy greater savings from TD Insurance on home and auto coverage.Most insurance companies offer discounts for combining home and auto policies, or your good driving record. What you may not know is that we offer these savings too, plus we offer preferred rates to NAIT Alumni. You’ll also receive our highly personalized service and great protection that suits your needs. Find out how much you could save.

Request a quote today1-888-589-5656Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

melochemonnex.com/nait

Projet : Annonce MMI 2013

Client : Meloche Monnex

No de dossier :06_MM9091-13_MMI.EN•nait (8.25x10.75)

Province : Alberta

Publication : Techlife Magazine

Format : 8.25x10.75

Couleur : Quad

Épreuve # : 1

Date de tombée : 22/05/2013

Graphiste : Yannick Decosse

Hamelin Martineau • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O. Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842 4416 F : 514 844 9343ATTENTION : Merci de vérifier attentivement cette épreuve afin d’éviter toute erreur.

06_MM9091-13_MMI.EN•nait (8.25x10.75).indd 1 13-05-13 5:03 PM

Nexen is a proud partner of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, donating over $1 million to the development of state-of-the-art facilities, awards and bursaries.

IT TAKES ALL KINDS OF ENERGYBy exploring and developing some of the most globally significant oil and gas basins, Nexen

delivers energy to the world. We also value another kind of energy – the drive and commitment

it takes to build strong communities, enhancing the lives of the people who live there.

That’s Nexen’s way.

PM#40063296

return undeliverable addresses totechlifemagazineNAITMarketingandCommunications11762 - 106StreetnwEdmonton,Alberta,Canadat5g 2r1

techlifemag.ca