Alex is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with BGC who specializes in assessing geohazards and their effects on linear infrastructure, including pipelines. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering at UBC, a Master of Environmental Engineering at Imperial College in London, and a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering at Cambridge, Alex started working for BGC 18 years ago. Six years after starting at BGC, he explored the option of leaving the geotechnical industry after seeing a job posting to be an astronaut. Having done his PhD in a relevant field with high gravity centrifuge testing, applying to be an astronaut was something that intrigued him. After discussions with his family and existing astronauts, despite his advancement through to the final rounds of the application process, Alex decided to withdraw his astronaut application and rather focus his efforts to bettering himself here on earth. Lately, Alex has been giving back to the community through his role as a member of the Canadian Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team Canada Task Force 1. Alex’s role as one of the team’s engineers is to keep the team safe in the field and work out the best way to rescue trapped individuals, whether it be following landslides, earthquakes or hurricanes.

“The best thing about working at BGC is the challenge of working on unique projects in interesting environments with technical leaders in the industry. BGC has always supported that need for excitement, whether it has been through letting me work on projects in interesting locations, on varied scopes, or even through the astronaut recruitment process or as part of the Canada Task Force 1 team.”

Kris is the Communities Sector Lead at BGC and has worked at the company since 2004. His role includes leading multi-disciplinary geohazards projects, risk analysis, technical review and facilitating geohazards and company strategy. Kris joined BGC shortly after completing a M.Sc. at UBC on landslide hazard assessment and initially spent most of his time on terrain and regional geohazards assessments for mining projects, development and transportation. Around 2005 he became interested in quantitative risk assessment for communities through work in Squamish and the District of North Vancouver and his work has evolved in that direction ever since. Kris says, “with BGC’s growth our projects increasingly leverage multi-disciplinary teams of specialists, and my role has shifted more towards project leadership and strategy”. When asked how BGC has helped and supported him in his role and career growth, Kris says, “I’ve always felt supported to pursue dreams and make them real at BGC, both in project work and personal development. This has included technical mentorship, but just as important, an entrepreneurial work environment with freedom to develop ideas on their merits, with minimal administrative barriers”. Kris’ favorite part about working at BGC is “the people, first and foremost. And that BGC is a vehicle to influence positive change at a level beyond anything we could accomplish as individuals. We can’t take any of this for granted. Helping shape the direction we take is really what motivates me each day at BGC”.

“With BGC’s growth, our projects increasingly leverage multi-disciplinary teams of specialists, and my role has shifted more towards project leadership and strategy.”

Kristin is currently a Human Resource Assistant at BGC and has been working with the company for over seven years. She received her bachelor’s degree at UBC in Hospitality Management before starting at BGC as an Administrative Assistant in 2012. Kristin then became the Executive Assistant for President & CEO Steve Hedberg in 2014 and eventually also took on the role as the Vancouver office Administrative Manager in 2016. Just this past May, Kristin transitioned to the role of HR Assistant, as this has been a professional goal of hers for quite some time. She is currently taking classes at SFU in Human Resource Management in order to learn more in depth about her new position.

“BGC has always been very supportive of my career growth within the company. I have always felt valued and have received amazing opportunities throughout the years. BGC’s flat structure provides a greater opportunity for growth. It’s great to see a company that supports employees in growing within their areas of interest.”