Our Team

Experts in industry and committed to helping you achieve success.

We’ve brought together a talented team of scientific minds and equipped them with cutting-edge technology. Fuelled by experience, skill, and innovation, our team of industry experts tackle projects big and small.

You’ll benefit from our years of experience helping customers streamlining processes, improve quality and productivity and reduce risk. We’re focused on your projects accomplishments.

Darren McLean, P.Tech.(Eng.)

Operations Manager,
Welding Services

Darren graduated from SAIT with a Diploma in Welding Engineering Technology and had experience as a Journeyman/B Pressure welder before joining Ludwig Associates (now SGS) in 2012. Since joining SGS Darren has held Lead and Supervisor roles within the organization prior to Operations Manager. He also gained 2 years of experience working for a large construction company as a Welding Specialist. Darren pursues to provide the highest standard of welding consulting to our clients by fostering a positive work environment and maturing an exceptional team at SGS with a client focused mind-set.

Certifications:

• Professional Technologist (ASET)
• CSA W178.2 Level 3 Welding Inspector
• CSA W47.1 Certified Welding Engineer (CWB)
• ABSA Welding Examiner
• ABSA B Pressure Welder / Red Seal Journeyman Welder

Eric Dacyk, C.E.T.

Operations Manager,
Testing Services

Eric graduated from NAIT with a Diploma in Materials Engineering Technology, he joined SGS immediately after his schooling which now accounts to over 15 years of experience in metallurgical testing. His tenure started as a labourer in the machine shop, where he progressed into the laboratory, into a lab supervisor role including quality and production, before stepping into the Operations Manager role. Eric’s mission is to provide accurate, timely results.

Certifications:

• Certified Engineering Technologist (ASET)
• ANAB ISO 17025 Lead Auditor

Paul Robanske, C.E.T.

Welding Services Supervisor (Calgary)

Paul is a seasoned Welding Engineering Technologist with a diverse background in the oil and gas industry. He holds a Welding Engineering Technologist diploma from SAIT and is a certified Journeyman Red Seal B-Pressure Welder. Formerly a Quality Control Manager/Lead on major projects, he specializes in SAGD oilfield projects and high-temperature steam pipeline installations. Paul is an active committee member for local welding association chapters and other technical committees, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the industry.

Certifications:

• Certified Engineering Technologist (ASET)
• CSA W178.2 Level 3 Welding Inspector
• API 510 / 570 / 577 / 1169 certifications
• ABSA Welding Examiner
• ABSA B Pressure Welder / Red Seal Journeyman Welder

Tong Xu, C.E.T.

Laboratory Supervisor (Edmonton)

Tong graduated from NAIT with a Diploma in Materials Engineering Technology He joined SGS after his schooling which account to 10 years of testing experiece. His tenure started as a junior materials technologist, where he progressed into the laboratory supervisor role including testing, scheduling, and reporting. Tong’s mission is to provide accurate, timely results.

Certifications:

• Certified Engineering Technologist (ASET)

Simon Kirkland, C.E.T., P.Eng.

Senior Welding Engineer

Simon graduated from SAIT with a Diploma in Welding Engineering Technology and also from the University of Calgary with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. 17 years of progressive experience in Quality Management and Welding Engineering for major industrial and pipeline projects in Western Canada including Subject Matter Expert on some of the most technically challenging pipeline projects in Western Canada. Now, Senior Welding Engineer with SGS. Simon is driven to provide our clients with industry leading technical consulting in the areas of welding design and engineering critical assessment of metallic structures.

Certifications:

• Certified Engineering Technologist (ASET)
• Professional Engineer (APEGA and EGBC)
• CSA W47.1 / W47.2 Certified Welding Engineer  (CWB)
• CSA W178.2 Level 3 Welding Inspector
• ABSA Welding Examiner

Jide Lawal, C.E.T., M.Eng.

Laboratory Supervisor (Calgary)

Jide had background in mechanical engineering and material science. In addition to foreign degree in mechanical engineering, He graduated from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with a diploma in materials engineering technology in 2011 and from the University of Saskatchewan with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering (material science option) in 2016. Before joining SGS in 2019, Jide had worked for Clearstream Wear Technologies (Edmonton) and Acuren Group Inc. (Edmonton) for almost four years as materials engineering technologist. Jide is passionate in giving the clients the best satisfactory experience.

Certifications:

• Certified Engineering Technologist (ASET)
• ANAB ISO 17025 Lead Auditor

Timothy Colpitts, C.E.T., I.W.T.

Welding Services Supervisor (Edmonton)

Timothy graduated from the University of Guelph with a diploma in Industrial Fabrication and Welding and Northern College where he received diplomas for both Welding Engineering Technician and Welding Engineering Technology. Timothy has been with SGS since 2013 and has worked in the lab, been a Welding Engineering Technologist and now is Welding Services Supervisor. Valued for his years of welding consulting experience (including ISO and EU projects) he shares knowledge with customers and works to educate and grow a strong collaborative team.

Certifications:

• Certified Engineering Technologist (ASET)
• International Welding Technologist (IIW)
• CSA W178.2 Level 3 Welding Inspector
• CSA W178.1 Welding Inspection Supervisor
• ABSA Welding Examiner

Peter Schamuhn Kirk, MASc, P. Eng

Engineering Supervisor

Peter Schamuhn Kirk is a senior materials engineer based in Edmonton. He has over 15 years experience with fracture mechanics testing and metallurgical failure analysis. Prior to joining SGS (formerly Ludwig Associates Engineering Ltd.), he completed a B.Sc. (Eng.) in Engineering Physics at Queen’s University and a M.A.Sc. in Materials Science at the University of Toronto, and worked in industry with wear-resistant weld overlays.

Certifications:

• Professional Engineer (APEGA)