Nuclear Energy Goes West: Opportunities for Manufacturers in the Supply Chain

The webinar is aimed at small-to-medium sized manufacturers based in Western Canada and will provide helpful information for businesses interested to explore opportunities to diversify into the Nuclear Sector:

• Strategies for entering the Nuclear Sector
• Business opportunities (short term and long term)
• Manufacturing capabilities and expertise in demand
• Relevant regulations, standards, and certifications
• Resources available to Canadian businesses to diversify into the Nuclear Sector

Presenters:

Christopher Gully, VP Communications & Member Engagement, Canadian Nuclear Association

Christopher Gully is a communications leader with over a decade of experience working on topics ranging from energy and climate to labour migration rights and statistics for development. He previously worked in Paris at the International Energy Agency (IEA) with roles including Executive Speechwriter and Senior Editor and played a central role in developing and implementing the IEA’s digital modernisation and rebranding strategy in 2019.

He has also worked for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Labour Organization (ILO), the Simon Fraser University Centre for Dialogue, and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR).

Dr. Lidia Matei, Ready4SMR Regional Coordinator – Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI)

Dr. Matei has over 20 years of technical and operational experience in the nuclear and applied chemistry fields, with notable recognition in 2 patents, more than 40 published research papers in recognized journals, and collaboration in over 20 multidisciplinary and multi-annual international research projects. Her work has been recently recognized by the World Council on Isotopes, which presented her with the 11th International Conference on Isotopes (11ICI) Chair’s Award.

Since joining the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, Dr. Matei works closely with the OCNI team to help develop the skills, capabilities, qualifications, and resources required for Saskatchewan to pivot to an “SMR-ready” supply chain.

Dr. Matei received her Ph.D. in Chemistry/Radiochemistry from the University of Bucharest (Romania). She pursued postdoctoral studies in cyclotron-produced isotopes at the University of Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke, QC). Most recently, she completed a Certificate in Business Management and Marketing from the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.

Jay-An Arandia, Manager, Strategic Initiatives – Power Generation and Petroleum and Natural Gas Programs – CSA Group

Jay-An brings almost 20 years of combined experience working in regulatory, government, and international organizations in Canada and other countries, in broad areas such as standards development, oil & gas regulatory management, environment and sustainable development, and disaster risk reduction.

Jay-An joined CSA Group initially as a Project Manager, Petroleum & Natural Gas, where she managed complex standards development projects in liquefied natural gas, well design and well integrity, underground storage, and pipeline safety metrics. She also contributed to the evaluation and execution of new opportunities related to hydrogen and other energy transition topics.

She is currently the Manger of Strategic Initiatives at CSA, looking at new opportunities for standards development, research, and education and services in the Power Generation and Petroleum and Natural Gas Programs, including cross-sectorial initiatives related to energy transition and decarbonization. She is also leading the enabling Small Modular Reactors (SMR) portfolio at CSA.

Prior to joining CSA in 2021, Jay-An gained more than 17 years of progressive experience in project and program management, strategic planning and development, and policy analysis from different sectors, including critical roles at the United Nations and two provincial jurisdictions in Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan).

Jay-An holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology) and Master’s Degree in Development Management, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Mark Sparano, P. Eng, PMP, CCMP – Project Manager, Power Generation – CSA Group

• 17+ years Technical and Commercial Program Management Experience within the Canadian Nuclear Market
• Overseeing CSA Nuclear Standards N286, N287, N289, N291, N299, and N1600
• 10+ Design and Qualification testing experience as it relates to CSA N299 (Formerly Z299)
• Specialization in Low Voltage (<5kV) electrical mechanical infrastructure projects for the mass transit, power generation (Nuclear and non-nuclear), power distribution, industrial and telecommunications markets
• T2 Project Deployment Experience: OPG (Darlington & Pickering), Bruce Power, NB Power (Point Lepreau),and  KHNP (Shin Hanul and Shin Kori)  centered around IEEE 383

Nisa Halsey, Vice President Nuclear Equipment & Tooling – Kinectrics

Nisa leads a team of engineers, scientists and technicians who specialize in all aspects of nuclear equipment and tooling design, procurement, fabrication, assembly, testing, qualification, deployment and maintenance to include: Commercial Grade Dedication, Environmental Qualification, Equipment Obsolescence & Reverse Engineering, Modular Skid Design & Fabrication, Tooling Systems and niche EPC projects.

Nisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and has over 16 years of experience in the nuclear industry. She served in the U.S. Nuclear Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear) for 6 years and was consistently recognized for her leadership and tactical skills. Her commercial nuclear power experience includes working for Constellation (Exelon) at their Byron, IL PWR in design engineering as the Engineering Business Manager at Byron Station for two years before moving to Kinectrics.

Within her ~11 years at Kinectrics she has managed several teams to include: Service Line Director of Forensics & Component Services, VP of US Operations, and her current role as VP of Nuclear Equipment Solutions and Inspection & Maintenance Tooling.

Marc Sutherland, Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) Project Manager – Kinectrics

Marc Sutherland is working as a Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) engineer and project manager. He has been working with the Kinectric’s Nuclear Equipment Services group since 2010 as the subject matter expert with regards to CGD. He has taught numerous courses regarding the supply of commercial grade components in the nuclear industry as well as acting in an advisory capacity with international groups looking to implement CGD program.

Robin Antoniuk, Vice President Technical Services and Chief Operating Officer – ABSA

Robin began his career with ABSA, the pressure equipment safety authority, in 1999 as a Field Inspector.  This led to assignments across various areas of the province, including Edmonton, Drayton Valley, High Level and Fort Saskatchewan.  For three years Robin also assisted Design Survey in the review of pressure equipment design submissions.  In 2010 Robin became the Northern Region Field Inspection Supervisor, responsible for all field inspectors in Northern Alberta.  In 2013, he then took on the assignment of Manager of Inspections, responsible for service delivery of the inspection, quality system auditing, and accident investigation programs.  Robin is currently Vice President Technical Services, responsible for ABSA’s three technical departments.

Robin is a Professional Engineer, and Fourth-Class Power Engineer, with 25 years experience in the pressure equipment industry.

Peter Krzesinski, Executive Director – Manufacturing & Export Enhancement Cluster

Peter is the Executive Director of the Manufacturing & Export Enhancement Cluster. He is possionate about innovation, process, and technology adoption in the manufacturing sector. Prior to leading the MEE Cluster he lead another industry program in support of manufacutring technology adoption. Peter also has international experience in the Oil and Gas service sector and marketing/sales consulting.