 |
George Walker
(On the occasion of the presentation of the Outstanding Service Award to George Walker, 1983) Secondary Schooling at High Prairie, Alberta University of Alberta, Edmonton - B.Sc. in civil engineering in 1950. Professional History: Articled to A.G. Stewart, Alberta Land Surveyor from 1950 to 1953. He was registered as a Professional Engineer in 1953 and as an Alberta Land Surveyor in 1952. In 1953 he established the company G.C. Walker, Alberta Land Surveyor. In 1955 L.R. Newby joined the firm and became an equal partner of the company Walker & Newby Ltd. In 1961, a branch office was opened in Calgary under the direction of L.R. Newby and in 1966 the company was re-incorporated as Walker, Newby & Associates Ltd. Since its formation, the firm has grown from two survey parties to 18 professional engineers and 8 registered land surveyors, supported by technicians and clerical people. Services have been provided to all levels of government, however, the vast majority of work has been in the area of private, industrial, commercial and residential land and housing development; inclusive of detailed planning, subdivision surveys and municipal services design, and construction supervision. Most projects involved the firm as a part of a team of land developers, planners, architects, fellow engineers and surveyors, contractors, and municipal authorities. The standard of service rendered to clients is based on the philosophy that close personal involvement by the principals, in all projects is the best form of advertising. Professional Affiliations: Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta Served on the Consulting Practice Committee on two difference occasions, and on the Task Force Committee on Engineering Standards for Subdivisions. Alberta Land Surveyors' Association: Served as Council Member from 1957 through to 1960. In 1961 he acted as vice-president and in 1962 became president of the Association. As past-president he attended meetings and provided input to the Alberta Land Surveyors' Association Committee on the Future. HUDAC Edmonton (Housing & Urban Development Association of Canada): Has been a vocal member of HUDAC Edmonton for twenty years and has been on the Board of Directors since 1976. He has worked on various committees, being HUDAC's liaison with the Task Force on City Government (1978), the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the General Plan (1979), the City of Edmonton Task Force on Housing Costs (1978), the Land Use by-law (1979), the Area Structure Plan (1980), the Stormwater Management (1980), and the Negotiating Committee on the City Servicing Agreement (1980). In 1976, he was chairman of the General Council. In 1977 he accepted the role of executive vice-president and, in 1978, he was elected president of HUDAC Edmonton, a position he held for two consecutive years. During the term, he served as ex-officio member of all HUDAC Edmonton committees. As past-president, he was again on the Board of Directors; a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee; and a member of the Provincial/ City/ Industry Liaison Committee. HUDAC Alberta Council: He assisted in the detailed analysis of the new Planning Act (1977) and gives input to numerous submissions going to the provincial government each year. He was a member of the HUDAC Committee for the government study of the Alberta/Montana Report and also a member of the joint committee which resulted in a report to the Honourable Tom Chambers dealing with the high costs of land acquisition and development (1978). He sat on the HUDAC Alberta Executive Board in 1977, was chairman of the Land Planning Committee. That same year he was presented with the "Maple Leaf Award" and the "Presidential Award of Honour' for outstanding contributions to the housing industry, through HUDAC, helping make Canadians the best housed people in the world. In 1980 he represented HUDAC Alberta on the provincial government's European housing study. The purpose of the tour was to provide the participants, from industry and government officials, with an insight into how European countries in a similar northern climatic region cope with rapid population growth. He was awarded the HUDAC Alberta Chairman's Award of Merit for his efforts, dedication and achievements through HUDAC aimed at the betterment of the residential construction industry. Also in 1980 he again received HUDAC's "Presidential Award of Honor." UDI (Urban Development Institute): Served on the Edmonton Chapter Executive for eight years, and with UDI Alberta as a director for eleven years during which time he provided much input into various committees. He served on the committee of UDI Edmonton that negotiated the first private land development servicing agreement with the City of Edmonton. Government Appointment: He was appointed to sit on a panel selected to conduct public hearings, in 1983 across the province, on maintaining and expanding the Alberta agricultural land base. Community Functions: While his children were growing he was actively involved in the then Town of St. Albert, serving as president of the St. Albert Community League. He was a trustee of the St. Albert Protestant Separate School District for three years and served as chairman of this board in 1966. He taught Sunday School and served on the vestry of the Anglican Church in St. Albert. He is past-president of the Edmonton/ Calder Progressive Conservative Association. Personal: He was born in Grouard, Alberta in 1923 and raised in High Prairie. He joined the Canadian Army in 1941 and served overseas from 1942 to 1946. |
 |
             |
