Celebrating Safety and Service: Summit Awards & Recognition
The Safety Codes Council (the Council) celebrated outstanding achievements and dedicated service at the Council’s annual Summit in Calgary on October 15. The evening featured the presentation of the prestigious Dr. Sauer Award and a heartfelt recognition of sub-council members and retirees — a highlight of the event’s opening night.
Dr. Sauer Award Winner
The 2025 Dr. Sauer Award was presented to Henry Hau, chair of the Pressure Equipment Sub-Council. Each year, the Council presents the Dr. Sauer Award to a sub-council member whose commitment, passion, and energy carry on the legacy of Dr. Kenneth Sauer, the Safety Codes Council’s first chair.
Recipients of this peer-nominated award demonstrate exceptional commitment and dedication and elevate the safety codes system in Alberta.
“One of the things that Henry does at the beginning of every meeting is he starts with our commitment to the interests of Albertans and make sure that that’s what we stay focused on,” says Tony McWhannel, a member of the Pressure Equipment Sub-Council.
Henry’s mentorship and encouragement are appreciated by fellow sub-council members, “Not only does he make new members feel welcome by asking questions, but with existing members, he always commends them and their hard work, even though he puts in a lot of hours himself and he never asks for any recognition for that,” says Nyssa Moore, vice-chair of the Pressure Equipment Sub-Council.
“His leadership and unwavering commitment to safety have made a measurable difference not just in Alberta, but nationally. He has a collaborative spirit, deep expertise in his discipline, and a strong commitment to serving the interests of Albertans,” says Eóin Cooke, vice-chair of the Safety Codes Council Board of Directors.
In accepting the award, Henry acknowledged the dedication of fellow sub-council members. “It’s not the chair you should celebrate; it’s the members of the working groups we should be celebrating.”
Honouring Retirees
A special moment of the evening was the recognition of retiring sub-council members, celebrating their years of service and contributions to the safety codes system.
- Bev Knudtson, Accessibility
- Cindy Gordon, Accessibility
- Chris Schamber, Accessibility
- Brian Mykitiuk, Amusement Rides
- Bill Church, Amusement Rides
- Byron Peters, Building
- James Kostuk, Building
- Alan Xia, Electrical Utilities
- Tim Driscoll, Electrical
- Adam Ghani, Electrical
- Bert DeBruin, Electrical
- Barbara Shipman, Elevators
- Andrew Cross, Elevators
- Tran Mah-Paulson, Gas
- Kris Topp, Gas
- James Maddocks, Gas
- Larrie Miller, Gas
- Bruno Mannsberger, Passanger Ropeways
- Angus Potskin, Plumbing
- Billy Lee, Pressure Equipment
- Dennis Horrigan, Private Sewage
- David Rose, Private Sewage