Resume

Senior Advisor and Executive

Senior Advisor and Executive with over 45 years in the mining, power, utility and oil and gas industries. Recently a Lecturer/Instructor and Engineer-in-Residence at the University of Calgary.  Also organized and was a keynote speaker for a workshop on AI and the Engineering and Construction Industry.  For the last ten years operating as Sambells Global Consulting advising companies on execution of major capital projects including execution strategies, risk reviews, and the necessary leadership and management structures to achieve success.

Provided senior executives of a major power engineering/construction company with an evaluation regarding the structural changes and management skills needed to execute a $1.3 bn transmission line in Alberta. Assisted in the evaluation and implementation of project delivery system modifications for the company.  Led the project team in risk reviews, financial and contract analysis of the execution of this major capital project.  Assisted the project delivery team in their presentations to senior executives and board members within the company.  Also undertook analysis and negotiations for a major claim between the contractor and owner for other project work.  Reported key findings to President and C-Suite executives.

Involved in ‘cold eyes’ contract strategy review for a major capital infrastructure project for a city in western Canada involving open cut and tunneling techniques.  Conducted an overview for an advisory body of the federal government of a major pipeline project in Canada.   Advising a south Korean manufacturing company about the Canadian Market for their material handling equipment for the mining sector.

Served as a member of an Advisory Board for a mid-sized utility infrastructure design/construction company. Overviewed business strategies, team skill sets, safety, and HR programs to support the company’s expansion strategy.

Advised senior executives of a major international energy company regarding project development strategies and execution risks; Conducted readiness review of major projects for executives and project team members; Provided contract risk reviews and a ‘Boot Camp’ for EPC lump sum and reimbursable execution for a multi-billion-dollar energy project in Alberta.

Guided executives in the development of a $1.3 Bn energy project in SE Asia. Provided execution strategies, evaluation of project risks, outlined project development budgets and contracting approaches.  Conducted presentations and met with senior government officials such as Presidential Advisors, Cabinet Committees, Ministers of Finance and Energy and Board of Investment as well as the Canadian Ambassador and EDC members.

As a Senior Vice President, managed all facets of the engineering/construction company with bottom line P&L responsibility for both domestic and overseas offices.  Responsible for securing and negotiating contracts for megaprojects in Canada, Middle East, and South America.  Also involved in negotiating Joint Ventures with engineering companies in Europe and the Middle East and continued to advise the Joint Venture committees until project completion.

Assisted the Executive member of The Office of the President in the development of key operational initiatives (Safety, HR, Quality, Succession Planning, and Business Development) across world-wide operations to ensure consistency and application of best practices throughout all offices.  Conducted strategic planning for the oil and gas divisions for a major engineering and construction company for worldwide operations. Also provided analysis and evaluation for several acquisition targets for the company.

Executed major capital projects in Alberta and NWT, dealing directly with First Nation stakeholders, government regulatory bodies, and northern communities. Represented the company on joint venture boards with First Nations organizations.  Also established and negotiated Joint Ventures with major construction companies to execute large capital projects in Alberta and continued as a member of the board until project completion.

As Project Director, executed a $1.3 Bn major mining project in the NWT from initial cost studies to feasibility studies to final execution.  Also, as Deputy Project Director involved in the FEED studies for a major $5 Bn refinery expansion in Edmonton and served as Project Director on $500 refinery conversion project.

Conducted training programs for multi-national oil and pipeline companies in project and engineering management for senior executives and project management teams.  Executed and led several Environmental Impact Assessments for major industrial projects both in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the 1980’s.