during his degree program and was so impressed by his enthusiasm and performance that he was quickly offered a permanent position upon graduation.

Since then, Michael has played an important role on the SGE Acres hydrotechnical engineering team. His experience now comprises all aspects of surface water hydrology and hydraulics, with specific applications in hydropower generation, water resources, dam safety, flood estimation, storm drainage, hydraulic structure design, riprap design and environmental assessment.

As a student, one of his first jobs was to use Acres reservoir and generation modeling software to optimize capacity of the proposed multi-billion-dollar Churchill River hydro development in Labrador. He has now amassed a considerable track record of generation modeling and dam safety studies for clients throughout the region.

Closer to home, Michael has been involved in ongoing studies and projects to rectify multiple flooding problems at Atlantic Canada's largest shopping center in St. John's. Remedial measures included the design of a 450-m long, 3.3-m wide underground culvert, complete with fish baffles – to meet federal Fisheries requirements, since the city's river system is prime trout habitat. Michael's familiarity with the sources of flooding, around the property and inside the building, resulted in his selection as owner's contract administrator for additional upgrades to the internal drainage and emergency power systems.

Most recently, he has been designing armor layers for protection of shoreline and coastal structures against wave action. This work includes techniques for wave estimation and armor stone sizing. As well, he's just completed a complicated flood estimation and culvert sizing study for CN at several sites in a Bay of Fundy tidal estuary.

Growing up surrounded by Newfoundland's lakes, rivers and the Atlantic Ocean has surely influenced Michael's interest in effective water resource management. He's also been greatly affected by the province's strong musical culture. For the past ten years, he's sung baritone in the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, a 40-person amateur a cappella group that's recorded two CDs – and, in 2002, became the first Canadian group to win top honors in the Mixed Choir category at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales.

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