COMPANY NEWS ROUND-UP: Hatch, SNC-Lavalin, Halsall

Hatch, with headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, is participating in a program at Queen’s University designed to create a pool of engineers who are specialized in the challenges of working in remote areas. The Sustainable Engineering in Remote Areas (SERA) program was designed by Dr. Mark Green, professor and associate head of Queen’s, who partnered with the Royal Military College and the universities of Manitoba and Ottawa.

Students enrolled in the six-year SERA program will combine engineering studies with studies of aboriginal culture and sustainability and do research on natural resources and energy, information and communications technologies, and economic development and education for aboriginal people. Hatch has committed to provide financial support and internships and will participate in the steering committee. Other industry partners include the Ontario Waterpower Association and Assembly of First Nations. The National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has also recently announced that it will provide $1.65 million.

The new executive vice-president of the oil and gas division at SNC-Lavalin of Montreal will lead the business from the company’s office in Houston, Texas. The company announced the appointment of Terrance Ivers to the position on September 3. Ivers was previously chief executive officer for oil and gas with Siemens, in charge oft he compression manufacturing and oil and gas solutions businesses. He has also worked as president of AMEC Paragon Inc (from 2007 to 2011) and before that as chief operating officer of Alliance Wood Group Engineering. He is registered as a professional engineer in the State of Texas.

Neil Bruce, president of resources, environment and water with SNC-Lavalin Group, said: “I am thrilled Terri has agreed to join us at this exciting time in our growth strategy, both for the Company and for the oil and gas business unit. We have great plans to grow in this sector over the coming years and Terri’s client focus and extensive experience in oil and gas, and engineering and construction, will play a major role in our delivery program.”

At Halsall, Dr. Julen Fagnan has joined the Vancouver office as managing principal of structural services. He was previously with Fast + Epp and has degrees in structural and civil engineering from the University of Alberta and University of British Columbia. He has served as an adjunct professor in the School of Architecture and Landscape Design at the University of British Columbia, and he has instructed at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and the Structural Engineers Association of British Columbia.