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.

2000: S.E. (Sue) Evison (Aitken), P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.)

S.E. (Sue) Evison (Aitken), P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.)

Sue Aitken (formerly Evison) was born and raised in New Zealand. She graduated from the University of Otago in 1975 with a B.Sc. in mathematics and from the University of Canterbury in 1978 with a BE (Hons.) in civil engineering. After moving to Canada, Aitken completed her M.Sc. in geotechnical engineering at the University of Alberta in 1988.

Aitken has been a member of APEGGA since 1982 and became actively involved in the affairs of the association in 1987.

Aitken assumed numerous leadership roles with APEGGA, serving on Council (1996-99), as president-elect (1999-2000) and as the association's first female president (2000-01). Prior to assuming an executive role on APEGGA's Council, Aitken chaired and served three years on the publications and editorial advisory committee and the member relations committee. She was a member of the investigative committee.

Aitken also served on the convention planning committee for two years and was appointed to the nominating committee in 1994 and 1998. She was awarded Honorary Life Membership in APEGGA in 2001. In 2009, Aitken was named a fellow of Engineers Canada and in 2013 she was named an honorary fellow of Geoscientists Canada.

Aitken served a three-year term on the board of directors of the Canadian Geotechnical Society and has held various offices with the local Calgary geotechnical group. She has been active in the Consulting Engineers of Alberta, and as a member of the Tunnelling Association of Canada, the North American Society of Trenchless Technology and the Canadian Dam Association.

She was involved with the Canadian Ski Patrol as an assistant patrol leader and mountain tour ski guide with the Ski Friends at the Lake Louise ski resort. An avid golfer, Aitken was a national junior women's titleholder and member of the New Zealand junior team. She currently lives in New Zealand.