We’re thrilled to announce that Nathan Rockwood will be stepping up to lead our Seattle office as Regional Director. This exciting development reflects the continued growth of our teams and projects in the United States.

Nathan brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the hydroelectric industry to this leadership role. While his early career as a structural engineer saw him designing office and warehouse buildings, his true calling lay in the world of dams and hydro structures. In 2007, he made a pivotal career shift and has since become a recognized leader in the field.

Nathan built relationships with hydro clients in California before expanding his influence to the Pacific Northwest. His commitment to the industry is further exemplified by his current role as president of the Northwest Hydroelectric Association.

Since joining KGS Group in February 2024, Nathan has enjoyed building relationships with many exceptional professionals at KGS. He is eager to lead the Seattle office and contribute to the continued growth and success of KGS Group in the Pacific Northwest. We are confident that the team will thrive under his guidance.

Please join us in congratulating Nathan on his new role.

A pioneer in hydroelectric performance testing

Albert Mikhail, P.Eng. has over 48 years of experience in the hydropower sector and is regarded as a leader in the field of hydroelectric turbine testing. He has performed over 600 efficiency tests using various methodologies, many of which he developed himself. Albert was involved in developing the testing methods for the International Water Sharing Agreement between Canada and the United States at Niagara Falls.

A journey into performance testing

In 1982, performance testing was an entirely manual process. This is when Albert was approached to modernize the process. To do so, Albert had to understand how the measurements were currently done. He was astonished at how comprehensive the test procedure was.

Albert observed the testing methods, which required anywhere from a dozen to nearly 30 people, depending on the test methodology and the number of measurements required. To gather simultaneous measurements, a system of light bulbs was placed at each measurement point so the individual supervising the test could flick the light on and off. If one person didn’t see the light in time, it would affect the results.

Within two years, Albert developed a new system using a computer the size of a sewing machine. Today, performance testing has evolved drastically. Instead of a team of a dozen or more, only two personnel are typically required. A chief of test and a technician work together to calibrate and operate the current meter or the acoustic flow measurement.

The importance of accurate measurements

Albert is renowned for his meticulous approach to data collection. When asked why precision is so critical, he explains, “Comparing a turbine’s design specifications to its actual performance reveals critical insights. Achieving accuracy demands rigorous adherence to procedure. The tolerance for error is zero for data collection. Redundancy and verification are essential. A single invalid test or improper procedure can compromise the entire process. Simply put, there’s only one chance to get the data right.”

Advancing the industry

Albert’s work has not only improved turbine performance testing in North America but has also contributed to the optimization of hydroelectric power generation. His efforts have helped utilities maximize power output while conserving water resources, ensuring a sustainable and efficient energy future.

Join Albert at his next session

Join us at CEATI on Wednesday, March 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Session B4.1 for a case study on field performance testing using intake current-meter flow measurement at Muskrat Falls Generating Station, presented by Albert Mikhail. Discover valuable lessons learned and project conclusions, and learn how to apply these practices to your own operations.

Stefan Kohnen, a Principal in our Mississauga office, is hosting a webinar on behalf of the Ontario Waterpower Association, titled Proposed Approach to Economic Assessment of Hydro Redevelopment.

Date: February 20, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. (EST)
Sign up here

If you have an interest in the redevelopment of hydro sites across Canada that are 100 years old or more, sign up today.

Stefan’s analysis of multiple sites in North America demonstrates a link between delayed redevelopment and increasing risk to public safety. The rate of redevelopment of these sites will need to accelerate in the next 20 years to stay ahead of the large number of sites that will reach their end of life. This requires solutions for the significant challenge of achieving favourable economic outcomes to justify the investment.

The webinar will demonstrate the link with public safety and suggest an approach to address this economic challenge. It is aimed at creating a conversation and a sense of urgency in the industry to promote the redevelopment of these sites require as they reach their end of life.

Our KGS Seattle team is growing, so we have to say goodbye to our old office space.

But, that means we get to say hello to our new space that will better fit our growing team, and allow us to better serve our clients.

You can find us here:
Suite 320 – 40 Lake Bellevue Drive
Bellevue, WA 98005, USA

Click here for our complete contact information.

We are delighted to have Dylan Antunes join KGS Group as Geotechnical Department Head in Saskatchewan.

Dylan has over 15 years of geotechnical engineering experience across Canada. Over the course of his career, Dylan has gained experience executing work at all project levels including materials testing, construction supervision, quality control and quality assurance, reporting, geotechnical design and project management.

Dylan has had the opportunity to work on some major project across North America. Some notable ones include the Fargo Moorhead Flood Diversion Channel, the Saskatoon Freeway Feasibility Project, and the Eglington Crosstown Light Rail Transit Project.  

With Dylan providing a solid foundation for the growing department, we are excited to see what heights the geotechnical team will reach.

Please join us in welcoming Dylan to KGS Group and congratulating him on his new position!

We are pleased to announce that Craig Rowbotham has been appointed as Transportation Department Head in our Winnipeg office. 

Craig joined KGS Group in 1999 and has been a dedicated and tireless member of the team, always looking for opportunities to mentor junior employees.

Craig’s career has revitalized neighbourhoods and cities and has brought life to areas that were all but forgotten. His persistent work ethic has been fundamental in helping shape our transportation and municipal teams over the years.

For many years, Craig worked as the Assistant Department Head in the Municipal Department before he transitioned over to the same role in the newly minted transportation group in Winnipeg. In addition to his leadership contributions, Craig is an invaluable technical resource for many of our key clients and projects.

Please join us in congratulating Craig on his new role!

We are happy to announce that Soni Proctor has joined KGS Group as the Electrical Department Head in our Vancouver office.

Soni is a highly motivated leader with a passion for problem-solving and implementing effective strategies. She excels at technical project management, engineering, and cross-functional collaboration. Her performance-driven approach consistently delivers impactful and beneficial organizational change.

Soni has over 14 years of demonstrated expertise in project management and process improvement, resulting in increased revenue, reduced costs, enhanced efficiency and elevated customer satisfaction. 

Please join us in welcoming Soni to KGS Group.

We are pleased to share that Ashton Richter will be taking over the helm for our Mechanical Department in Saskatchewan.

With over 23 years of experience in the industry, Ashton has been involved in a wide array of complex projects, primarily focused on the industrial sector. Ashton started with KGS in 2010 and took on the role of Assistant Department Head in 2022.

During that brief stint, Ashton helped build up our mechanical group to its current state, with a team of competent and self-driven engineers and technologists. Along with his exceptional attention to quality and client service, I am confident Ashton will continue driving this department with that same momentum and culture that he helped develop over the past year.

Please join me in congratulating Ashton!

We extend a warm welcome to Tori Liu, who recently joined KGS Group as Municipal Department Head in our Vancouver office.

Tori has over 25 years of experience in engineering design and project management, specializing in stormwater management, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, highway drainage design as well as municipal and environmental engineering.

We are looking forward to seeing the new heights our Municipal Department will reach with Tori leading the charge. She has already proven herself to be a knowledgeable and hardworking addition to the team. With her many years of experience, we know she’s ready to take on this new challenge.

Please join us in welcoming Tori to KGS Group, and congratulating her on her new position!

KGS Group recently won two awards at the annual Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Saskatchewan Awards.

Travis Inglis brings home Future Leaders Award

Congratulations to Travis Inglis, a Transportation Engineer in our Saskatoon office, who was the winner of the Future Leaders Award. This award recognizes future leaders in the field who have shown excellence in consulting engineering expertise and in the consulting engineering community.

Congratulations Travis for the outstanding achievement!

WSA owner’s engineer work recognized

We were also the winner of the Brian Eckel Award for our work with the Water Security Agency as owner’s engineer, managed by Derek van Nes. This is KGS first project win in the province of Saskatchewan.

You can find out more about the project below.

Water Security Agency Owner’s Engineer

The Water Security Agency engaged KGS Group as Owner’s Engineer for assistance in reducing the maintenance and capital project backlog by leveraging the strengths of the private sector. From November 2020 to March 2024, KGS Group oversaw over 20 engineering projects; managed over 45 engineering, long-lead procurement and construction contracts; and delivered over $53 million in capital construction.

As a result, the WSA now has a framework that allows them to maintain structures in a more consistent, sustainable manner. Likewise, ACEC-SK members have a more consistent approach to working with the WSA due to the framework that was developed.

We’re delighted to announce that Stan Diachun has taken on the role of Commercial Department Head in our Winnipeg office.  

Stan joined KGS in January 2019 as a senior mechanical engineer. He has over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of commercial projects and has won several awards for his work.

Stan has worked on several large projects for the University of Manitoba and grows our company’s experience and relationships in the healthcare, science/technologies and government infrastructure sectors. Some of his projects include work on schools, labs, fire suppression systems, heavy commercial buildings, Canadian Armed Forces bases, aircraft hangers, and hospitals. Stan also recently completed designs for district geothermal systems for Railside at The Forks and the Southport Aerospace Centre campus.

Please join us in congratulating Stan on this well-earned achievement!

We are excited to announce that Tony Gallo has been appointed as the Regional Manager for our Thunder Bay office.

As we continue to grow our operations in Thunder Bay and across the whole of KGS Group, Tony and his years of leadership experience will help guide our team towards a bright future. Tony will also be continuing his work as the Environmental Department Head in Thunder Bay.

Tony graduated from Lakehead University with a Master of Science degree in 1997 and joined KGS Group that same year. From the beginning, Tony has shown a commitment to excellence in his work while building long-lasting relationships with clients. He has an accomplished history in environmental assessments and remediation, and is a trusted expert in his field.

Tony started out at KGS as an Environmental Scientist and worked his way up to the Environmental Department Head position in 2010. In 2023, he became the Thunder Bay Office Manager.

Congratulations Tony on your latest promotion. We look forward to seeing all you accomplish in your new position!