ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2016 - 20

m entor of the y ea r Gary Dale Helmer, R.E.T. A s a young technology professional, the possible routes of career exploration can be vast, unknown and even intimidating at times. ASET mentor, Gary Helmer, R.E.T., understands that well and connects with young professionals as a mentor, providing guidance and insight, as his mentors have done for him. as a whole," Helmer says when explaining his passion for mentoring. "Whenever I have received mentoring myself it was like I was a new Captain setting on a new course and that mentor helped me and encouraged me to travel to places that I did not have the courage to discover for myself." A 1978 graduate of SAIT's Chemical Engineering Technology program, Helmer has dedicated 34 years of his career to Nova Chemicals Corporation in Red Deer, AB. The roles that he has embraced have been diverse, providing him with many years of experience in roles such as a lab technician and coordinator, a trainer, an auditor, a valued team member on major waste-water clean-up projects and plant turnarounds and shutdowns. With a strong desire to contribute to his industry and communities, Helmer participates as a volunteer on a variety of committees and teams, including the ASET Mentoring Program. Helmer's most recent student mentee, Wu (Frank) Wang, confirms that the experience of being mentored can be life changing and inspire courage, especially when the mentor takes a personal and committed interest in the mentee's success, as Helmer has. In 2013, Helmer joined the ASET Mentoring Program with the motive to give back to society, to his technical school and to his community. Mentoring is one of his ways of contributing to the growth of the next generation and encouraging a mentorship culture in workplaces and educational institutes. "Authentic wisdom and experience must be passed on to the next generation, to make a difference to our community and our world 20 | SPRING 2016 | TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA "Gary helped me set and work towards specific goals over our mentoring partnership to jump-start my Power Engineering career." Explains Wang, "When I got an interview with Shell... he drove to Calgary from Red Deer to have a [pre-interview] talk with me, which I think helped me to win the offer. I am moved by what he did for me." Upon receiving knowledge of being awarded for his influence, Helmer expressed a sense of satisfaction in knowing that he is succeeding at sharing his knowledge with the next generations of professionals. For his dedication to enriching the next generation of technology professionals with knowledge, and his personal interest in his mentees' development, Gary Helmer, R.E.T., is honored with the President's Award for Excellence in Mentoring.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2016