2025 President's Award
(L to R): Troy Libke, PTech, (TPS President) and Dan Bechard, PTech
Each year the President’s Award is chosen and presented by the President of Technology Professionals Saskatchewan to an individual who promotes and furthers the professional identity of the Association to the public. This individual, through professional conduct and actions, takes it upon themselves to educate, promote and defend the organization and its membership. The “2025 President’s Award” was presented to Dan Bechard, PTech, for his tireless efforts towards promoting the applied science and engineering technology profession both provincially and nationally.
Read comments from Dan Bechard, PTech:
"I was honoured, surprised and humbled when I was informed that I’d be receiving this recognition. To everyone who has been instrumental in my journey so far, I would not be in this position without you. Technology professionals are a key cog to the economy. At Saskatchewan Polytechnic we provide excellent education for technologists and technicians that are in high demand in many industries within the province and country. I look forward to our continued work to keep our programs evolving, adapting and supporting industry needs now and as we all continue to grow with the future of work in mind. There is a lot on my mind, and I continue to reflect and think about the many colleagues, mentors and friends that have made an impact on me and my journey. And of course, my family, the reason I do the things I do, thank you. I cannot mention you all individually…I appreciate you."
2025 Technology Professional of the Year Award
(L to R): O. Brent Bradford, PTech, and Troy Libke, PTech, (TPS President)
This Award is presented to TPS members who have distinguished themselves in the professional life – whether in technical practice, management, teaching, or administration. TPS is pleased to present the 2025 Technology Professional of the Year Award to O. Brent Bradford, PTech. Brent is a 1973 graduate of SaskPolytechnic’s Mechanical Engineering program. He works at Engcomp in Saskatoon as a Mechanical Design Specialist. Brent’s professional demeanor and expertise is second to none. He is widely viewed as an industry expert in bulk materials handling - his designs and insights, whether direct or through mentoring, are found in potash mines across Saskatchewan. He is so highly regarded that vendors put him on their “speed dial”. From 1988 to 2017, Brent served on the Program Advisory Committees for Mechanical Engineering Technology and Design and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Programs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, ensuring the curriculum aligned with industry needs. He also sat on the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board, even travelling to the United Arab Emirates for a due-diligence audit.
Read comments from O. Brent Bradford, PTech:
"Thank you President Libke, and TPS for this great honour… I am very humbled to be recognized by my peers, the Association, and of course my employer, and nominators. I am truly grateful… this may not be a big deal to some, but it is to me. As outlined previously, the ‘path’ of my involvement with SASTT/TPS has clearly been on maintaining and improving the caliber and strength of Technology Professionals’ education and training; providing well-prepared and skilled graduates that can contribute to a company’s/project’s success… almost immediately after being hired. Though hundreds of personal hours were spent on these Association endeavours, the rewards came in other ways:
• I hired these graduates – more than (50) in my career. They made MY job easier. Most remain active here and all have made significant contributions to industry in this Province, with many advancing to senior and leadership roles in their respective companies or sectors.
• cross-Canada comradery… there was a time during my years with Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) that I could call up someone in almost any major Canadian city and go for a refreshment.
• networking – the people I met on these SASTT / CTAB adventures gave me insight to different industries, different experts, and different parts of Canada that proved (again and again) beneficial in my day-to-day work life.
• travel – I (and my wife on numerous occasions) have seen a lot of Canada attending National Meetings and Accreditations… what a treat!
Those of you here that know me a little bit know what a fan I am of Professional Technicians (PTech) and Certified Technicians (CTech) – I was once asked to speak to a group of High School Guidance Counsellors on technologists and technicians paths after graduation. I introduced myself and said “If I was 20 years younger, 20 pounds lighter, and had hair… I could be the ‘Poster Child’ of Technology!" Thanks, again, to TPS for bestowing this honour to me… I treasure it, and am truly thankful for the recognition."
2025 Maurice M. Zimmerman, PTech, Excellence In Technical Instruction Award
(L to R): Mark Ferguson, PTech, and Troy Libke, PTech, (TPS President)
This Award is chosen and presented to an individual who deserves the admiration and respect of the public and is a member of TPS. The objective is to publicly showcase a technical instructor who has demonstrated an outstanding level of professionalism and excellence in making a significant contribution to the study of technology. This Award is named after Maurice Zimmerman, a Professional Technologist who was one of the Association’s founding members, and our third President. Unfortunately, Moe passed away in 2015. This year, TPS recognizes Mark Ferguson for his outstanding professionalism and excellence in making a significant contribution to the education of professional technologists and technicians. Mark is a 2011 graduate of SaskPolytech’s Instrumentation Engineering Technology program. Among the many comments his students submitted when nominating him for this Award were: “Mark displays complex ideas and makes challenging problems very clear. He is well prepared for his lessons and highly knowledgeable in the topics he teaches.” TPS wishes to recognize Mark for his technical ability, leadership, creativity, innovation, and for the many students he has taught and mentored in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Instrumentation Engineering Technology program - his dedication.
Read comments from Mark Ferguson, PTech:
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the Maurice M. Zimmerman, PTech, Excellence In The Technical Instruction Award from Technology Professionals Saskatchewan. This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me, not only because of what it represents, but also because of the people who made it possible. First and foremost, I want to thank my students—your curiosity, drive, and willingness to learn continue to inspire me every day. You challenge me to grow as an educator and remind me why I entered this profession in the first place. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues and peers at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Your support, collaboration, and shared commitment to excellence in technical education have helped shape the instructor I’ve become. To the support staff whose efforts often go unseen but are always deeply felt—thank you for the vital role you play in creating an environment where learning can thrive. Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to Technology Professionals Saskatchewan for this incredible honour. To be recognized in the name of Maurice Zimmerman, a leader and visionary in our profession, is something I will always treasure. I accept this Award not as a personal achievement, but as a shared success with everyone who has walked alongside me in this journey. Thank you for believing in me and for allowing me to contribute to the education of tomorrow’s technologists.”
2025 Merit Award
(L to R): Bonnie Fenrick, PTech, and Troy Libke, PTech, (TPS President)
The Merit Award is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in service to the Association on a voluntary, salaried, or elective basis. Bonnie has served on the TPS Registration Board for almost a decade and is our subject-matter expert in the architectural discipline. She also advises TPS on matters relating to the National Building Code.
Read comments from Bonnie Fenrick, PTech:
"I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for being recognized with the TPS Merit Award. I'm truly grateful for the acknowledgment and will continue striving for excellence."
2025 Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award
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(L to R): Richard Belton, PTech, and
Troy Libke, PTech, (TPS President)
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(L to R): Greg Koch, PTech, Kelly Nelson, PTech, and
Troy Libke, PTech, (TPS President)
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In recognition to their tireless efforts and commitment to our profession, TPS CEO Jaime Feltis, PTech, has directly chosen these three deserving registered professionals for the 2025 TPS Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award.
2025 Employer of the Year Award
(L to R): Tom Boehm, PTech, Allen Tressel, PTech, Ryan Beck, PTech, Jason Dearing, Olivia DeRosier, and Troy Libke, PTech (TPS President)
This year, TPS is pleased to present Team Power Solutions with the 2025 Employer of the Year Award. Team Power Solutions is recognized for promoting continuing education, professionalism, and ensuring public safety with a quest to offer the highest level of services by committing to hire professional technical personnel.
Read comments from Tom Boehm, PTech:
"Over the decades, we have been blessed to have strong representation within the Technology Professionals Saskatchewan. To be a member of this Professional Association, is truly an honour! Together, today, we reflect on the hard work performed on our behalf, towards advocacy, knowledge, skill and the proficiency of technology professionals within the province of Saskatchewan! Please join me in giving a round of applause for the Executive, Board of Directors, and all those that have contributed time and energy to build this association into what we see today! Hello, my name is Tom Boehm, President and CEO of Team Power Solutions and I am excited to be here with you today! Team Power Solutions is a Power, Automation, and Controls company that was founded in 2009 here in Saskatchewan. Our core offering is providing excellent products and service to heavy industrials, utilities and complex processing facilities. We maintain operations at 3 locations in Saskatoon, and 1 in Regina, providing a service to our expanding customer base throughout Canada, and select locations throughout the United States and other international locations. Team Power Solutions was founded by 5 partners that all graduated from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Electrical Engineering Technology program, in Moose Jaw. Today, our ownership structure is even stronger with a total of 13 partners within the business today! Our ownership skill base has been further strengthened as we have added Instrumentation, Electrical, and CAD/CAM Engineering Technologists, Journeyman, and Electrical Engineering roles. I share these facts with you as a testament, that to the very core, we are truly focused on growth, opportunity, and professional development of our Team. Our Mission has always been to treat both the customer and our employees as the #1 reason we are in business. We are a humble organization that takes great pride in our growth, providing meaningful work, fostering innovation, collaboration, and culture above all. To us, our people, their happiness, and the opportunity to work together, are the awards we receive every day! Over the past 16 years, Team Power Solutions has grown to be one of the largest companies of our size in Western Canada, with approximately 240 employees, we have a compiled a fantastic team that is able to tackle challenges that were once a future dream. Our strategic growth will continue to provide opportunity organically and through acquisition. We will continue on our path, invest heavily in our people, and build the strongest Team! On behalf of all of our staff at Team Power Solutions that make every day an amazing day!"
Registrants and employers are encouraged to nominate a candidate for a TPS Award:
Scholarship Award Application for the Child of a TPS Member
Technology Professionals Saskatchewan is offering a $1,000 scholarship to the child of a TPS member. The Scholarship is to provide assistance with expenses incurred while undertaking full-time studies leading to a technology diploma / certificate from a program recognized by TPS in applied science / engineering technology and has completed not less than 50% of the entire program. All submissions will be coded and the recipient will be chosen by the lottery method.
Applied Research in Technology Award
This Award is offered annually to one student registrant who is a graduating student of an applied science / engineering technology program in Saskatchewan that meets the academic requirements, and is recognized by Technology Professionals Saskatchewan.
The Applied Research in Technology portion of an applied science / engineering technology academic program allows the technologist to combine the competencies obtained during the program to research a specific area of interest. As a means to recognize the outstanding achievement of a graduating student, Technology Professionals Saskatchewan provides an Applied Research in Technology Award.
Eligibility
- Student registrants that are interested in being considered for this Award should contact their program head. Candidates will be nominated by program heads of applied science engineering technology programs in Saskatchewan that are recognized by Technology Professionals Saskatchewan (maximum of one per year).
- The work must be worthy of the designation “outstanding” and might include:
- development or implementation of a new product, process or technique;
- an innovative technical solution to an environmental, social or community problem.
Selection Committee
The Awards Committee.
Application Date
Normally, the application date will be June 30th. The CEO / Executive Director / Registrar has the authority to extend this date if deemed necessary.
Award
The Award will consist of a Certificate of Achievement, a letter of congratulations from the President, and upon obtaining enrollment as an Associate member after graduation, Technology Professionals Saskatchewan will waive two years of Association professional fees.
