1943: Vernon Pearson, P.Eng.

Born in Sussex, England, Vernon Pearson graduated from the Brassey Institute School of Science and Art in Hastings. He gained practical experience with local engineering firms before coming to Canada in 1910 to work for the Lethbridge Iron Works. Four years later he joined the Canmore Coal Company, becoming erecting engineer, chief engineer and then master mechanic.

In 1919 Pearson was hired as superintendent of public utilities for the town of Fort Macleod, Alta., and by 1923 was appointed superintendent of power plants for the province. He held this position for five years, then worked for private engineering firms in Edmonton for almost a decade before rejoining the provincial government as mechanical superintendent for the Department of Public Works. He later took on the additional duties of chief inspector of boilers for the province and technical advisor to the power commission. He held these positions until his retirement in 1952.

Pearson served on council of the Association of Professional Engineers of Alberta (APEA; now The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta) in 1926 and 1927, was elected association vice-president in 1942 and president the following year.

He was also president of the Engineering Institute of Canada, chair of the Edmonton Hospital Board for 15 years and served in the Boy Scout movement for more than 20 years. He passed away in 1975.