1. By: Dan Willems, P.Eng.

2. North American Society for Trenchless Technology. Established in 1990. NASTT is “dedicated to promoting the benefits of trenchless technology for public awareness through education, training and research.” Currently seven regional chapters across North America. Presents annual North American No-Dig Conference.

4. Development of the Northwest Chapter started in 1995. Founders were Rick Prentice and Ken Chua. Due to a long history of trenchless construction, the City of Edmonton’s support was essential in successfully initiating the chapter. Ken ChuaRick Prentice

5. Edmonton-area industry representatives were gathered to expand support for a new chapter. With Edmonton support secured, Rick traveled to Vancouver and Seattle in early-1996 and secured additional support in those regions for the new chapter.

6. A number of meetings were held over the course of 1996. The Northwest Chapter was officially chartered in early 1997 at the NASTT No-Dig Conference in Seattle. The Chapter originally included Alberta, British Columbia, and Washington State. NASTT Chapters (1997)

7. The first Board of Directors: Chair Ken Silvester (BC) Vice ChairSecretary Ken Chua (AB)Sam Ariaratnam (AB) Treasurer Dave Otto (BC) Directors: Dave Krywiak (AB)Dave O’Sullivan (BC) Ken Fender (WA)Michael Kirby (WA) John Jurgens (WA)

8. Ken Silvester (BC) – 1998-2000 Ken Chua (AB) – 2000-2001 Ken Fender (WA) – 2001-2002 Chris Skowronski (AB) – 2002-2003 Dave Krywiak (AB) – 2003-2005 Kim Staheli (WA) – 2005-2008 Albert Kwan (AB) – 2008-present

9. The Chapter’s first symposium was held in Edmonton in Fall 1997. An annual event since 1997 which has grown into a two- day event including a short course, conference, and trade show. Today, the annual “Alberta Trenchless Conference” rotates host cities between Calgary and Edmonton.

10. The Edmonton Section of the Chapter has hosted monthly technical lunches (September through April) since 1998. The Calgary Section has hosted 2 to 3 technical lunches per year since 2004. Local support is still growing.

11. From 1997 until 2007, the Chapter issued a semi-annual newsletter summarizing trenchless activity in the region. Replaced by the NASTT-NW Chapter Journal in 2007, currently issued annually in September/October.

12. B.C. officially split from the Northwest Chapter and started NASTT-BC in 2005. Separated due to difficulty in coordinating chapter-wide activities and local membership was high enough to establish an independent chapter. Washington remained with the Northwest Chapter. NASTT Chapters (2008)

13. Chair Past Chair Albert Kwan (AB) Kim Staheli (WA) Vice Chair Secretary Michelle Ramos (WA) Vacant Treasurer Neil Kucharski (AB) Directors: Duane Strayer (AB) Jack Burnham (WA)

14. In January 2009, the Chapter membership voted on, and accepted, a number of proposed changes to the Bylaws. The most important change was the revision of the Chapter’s geographic area to include Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Washington state is currently working towards establishing its own chapter.

15. Potential Layout of NASTT Chapters – 2009 (Unconfirmed)

16. Chapter involvement opportunities: –Editorial Committee –Project of the Year Committee –Conference Organizing Committee (Calgary - 2009) Contact dwillems@nastt-nw.com for more information.dwillems@nastt-nw.com