Past-Presidents

APEGA has existed for more than 100 years, and for every year of its existence, there has been a president of Council to uphold the pillars that APEGA stands for: integrity, accountability, innovation, and service. Through the decades of change and growth, the men and women listed below led APEGA’s Council.

They have worked across the globe, from Mississippi to Venezuela, but all settled their talents here in Alberta. Each came from different walks of life, from serving in the Second World War, to teaching aeronautics, to instigating first-time overseas ventures. This incredible group of outstanding people made their mark on the world and helped make APEGA what it is today.

1988: Thomas W. Chambers, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.)

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Tom Chambers was born in Port Arthur, Ont., and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1952 with a bachelor of applied science in mining engineering. Upon graduation, he took a position with Shell Oil Company and worked as a petroleum engineer and operations supervisor in oilfields throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.

He became a member of APEGGA in 1957 and served the association in a number of capacities. He was chair of the membership committee in the mid-1960s and served on council (1972–1973). He later served as first vice-president (1987) and president (1988). In 1978, he was awarded the APEGGA Special Award for his outstanding contributions to society, and he was awarded honorary life membership in 1989. He was named a fellow of Engineers Canada in 2009 and an honorary fellow of Geoscientists Canada in 2013.

Chambers served as the MLA for Edmonton-Calder (1971–1986) and as minister of housing and public works and later public works, supply, and services (1978–1986). He was also chair of the Alberta Housing Corporation and the Alberta Home Mortgage Corporation. Chambers’ political career included involvement with the construction of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics facilities.

Chambers served on the board of directors and management committee of Syncrude Canada during the construction phase (1975–1978). He was founder, president, and CEO of Chambers Engineering, a consulting firm dedicated to petroleum production engineering, until his retirement in 1996.

Chambers established a scholarship fund for University of Alberta second- and third-year engineering students (1988–1989). Since then, several annual scholarships of $1,500 each have been awarded in his name.

He served on the board of directors of a number of organizations and was a director of Torex Resources. Chambers passed away in June 2018.