Alumni News
A degree from Canada’s largest and one of the best engineering
schools in North America puts you in excellent company. U of T engineers
are among the most innovative, dynamic and distinguished
leaders in the world. We are proud of every one of our 40,000 alumni.
But every once in a while, a graduate stands out from the crowd,
demonstrating superior accomplishments, a unique capacity for
leadership, and extraordinary personal commitment and service to
your alma mater.
We are proud to introduce the Faculty of
Applied Science and Engineering’s 2007-2008
award winners, 11 outstanding alumni who
have earned our applause. We invite you to join
us in celebrating their achievements and, in
doing so, recognizing your own. Because the
accomplishments of every one of our graduates
is worth celebrating.
Pierre Rivard, Mech MEng 9T4
Engineering Alumni Medal
Pierre Rivard had one purpose in mind
when he embarked upon a Master’s of
Engineering degree at U of T in the early
1990s – to better understand hydrogen and
fuel cell technologies. By 1995, he had
co-founded Hydrogenics Corporation, recognized
today as a leading global developer
of clean energy solutions and one of North
America’s fastest growing technology companies.
As President and CEO (1995-2006),
Pierre led the $120M acquisition of Stuart
Energy Systems, built strategic alliances
with General Motors and attracted top-tier
international customers, including Chevron,
John Deere and Toyota. He was named
Executive Chair of the Board in 2006.
Paul Cadario, Civ 7T3
Hall of Distinction
With a record of accomplishment spanning
North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, Paul
Cadario is living proof of how U of T
Engineering prepares graduates for complex
leadership roles. The Senior Manager of Trust
Fund Quality Assurance & Compliance at The
World Bank is widely recognized as a ‘knowledge
management’ leader, helping to guide
the Bank through complex organizational
change and a near tripling of its trust fund
portfolio to more than US$21B. While assuming
progressively more senior roles with the
Bank, Paul remained an active ember of the
Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board where he
played a key role in curriculum reform, and
currently serves as President of the
University of Toronto Alumni Association.
Michael Sefton, Chem 7T1
Hall of Distinction
Long before ‘tissue engineering’ became
recognized, Michael Sefton was developing
procedures to enable nerve regeneration,
artificial skin and cornea replacement. A U
of T alumnus, University Professor and the
Michael E. Charles Chair in Chemical
Engineering, Michael is a research pioneer.
He was the first to recognize the importance
of combining living cells with synthetic polymers
to create biological tissue and artificial
organs – the field now known as tissue
engineering. Through the development and
biological application of new biomaterials,
Michael has authored more than 10 patents,
some of which are now being commercialized
for therapeutic purposes.
Tom Closson, Ind 7T1
Hall of Distinction
Tom Closson’s name is synonymous with
accountability and a renewed sense of mission
for exemplary patient care, research
and education in Canadian hospitals. Over
the past decade, he has been President and
CEO of three major Canadian health care
corporations. Most recently, at University
Health Network (UHN), he worked to reduce
emergency wait times, improve lab efficiency
and lower the rate of re-admission.
Between 1999 and 2004, Tom doubled
UHN’s research funding to $156M and
played an important role in the construction
of U of T’s MaRS campus. Since stepping
down as head of UHN in 2005, he has
become a sought-after advisor to health
care institutions across Canada.
Phillip (Rocky) Simmons, Chem 6T4; MASc 6T5; PhD6T8
Hall of Distinction
Rocky Simmons was a U of T doctoral candidate
when he first demonstrated the feasibility
of an ion-exchange technology, which, 20 years
later, would become the focus of a highly
successful Canadian company. Together with
his partners, Rocky founded Eco-Tec Limited
in 1985. Now ISO certified, the company is an
international leader in the development of
water treatment and chemical recovery systems
used by power generation, pharmaceutical,
automotive, chemical, pulp and paper, and
metal processing industries worldwide. Rocky
credits his success to a strong management
team, comprised largely of U of T Engineering
graduates. He retired as President and CEO of
Eco-Tec’s operating company in 2006.
Anthony Lacavera, ECE 9T7
7T6 Early Career Award
Anthony Lacavera has accomplished more
in his 32 years than most people do in a
lifetime. After co-founding Globalive
Communications Corp. in 1998, he led the
next generation telecom company through
the launch of 18 products in 30 countries.
In 2004, Globalive earned the top spot in
Profit Magazine’s list of Canada’s fastest
growing companies, it was named one of
Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for
three years running, and Globalive is one
of Canadian Business Magazine’s Top 30
Workplaces in Canada. As Chairman and
CEO, Anthony is lauded for his outstanding
leadership and vision. In 2006, he was
recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40
Under 40.
John T.W. Yeow, ECE 9T7; MASc 9T9; PhD 0T3
7T6 Early Career Award
John Yeow has an ambitious vision of a
hand-held x-ray machine that targets
cancerous tumours while sparing nearby,
healthy tissue. The systems design engineer
at the University of Waterloo (UW) is
a rising star in the highly competitive field
of nanotechnology whose work has the
potential to change the delivery of health
care. As Director of the Advanced Micro/
Nanodevices Laboratory, John is also
deeply committed to training the next
generation of engineers. He currently
supervises 13 graduate students and was
honoured in 2004 and 2005 with UW’s top
awards for exceptional contributions in the
areas of teaching, research and service.
John Voss, Chem 8T2
2T5 Mid-Career Award
In the seven years since John Voss established
Aegent Energy Advisors Inc., the
company has grown to support more than
50 clients representing $700M of annual
energy procurement. As President and
Managing Director, John helps large
energy buyers reduce costs and manage
risk. He is one of the bright minds behind
RiskSensor©, Aegent’s proprietary
technique for quantifying risk. He is Past
President of U of T’s Engineering Alumni
Association, a member of the Faculty’s
Steering Committee on Engineering and
Public Policy, and John previously served
on the Department of Chemical Engineering
and Applied Chemistry’s Board of Advisors.
Barry Levine, Ind 8T4
Malcolm McGrath Award
Barry Levine has exemplified outstanding
personal service and commitment to his
alma mater since graduating 23 years ago.
Over two decades, he has served in virtually
every executive position on the Engineering
Alumni Association; as President in 1998-
1999, he initiated a review that ultimately
led to the association’s restructuring and
new constitution adopted in 2006. He is the
long-time Chair of the Communications
Committee of the Engineering Alumni
Association and the author of a history
of the Engineering Society, published to
honour the Society’s centennial in 1985. In 1989 and again in 1998, he was recognized
with the Faculty’s distinguished awards for
volunteerism.
Chris Roscoe, EngSci 0T7
L.E. (Ted) Jones Award of Distinction
New graduate Chris Roscoe brought music
to Skule™. In between classes over the past
five years, he founded two new groups – the
Brass Ring and the Skule™ Jazz Combo; led
the largest stage band in recent history –
the Skule™ Stage Band – to a winning finish
at the 2007 Kiwanis Music Festival; hosted
the first ever Skule™ Music Concert; and
performed in all five of the Faculty’s music
ensembles. A talented classical French
horn and jazz trumpet player, Chris was
also a frequent solo and duet performer at
Faculty and University events.
David Lee, EngSci 0T7
L.E. (Ted) Jones Award of Distinction
Piano, clarinet, alto saxophone, oboe, viola,
contrabass – few instruments escaped
David Lee’s touch during his four years at
U of T Engineering. The talented musician
was also a skilled leader and mentor. In his
third year of study, he was named Director
and Conductor of the Skule™ Stage Band
and Musical Director of Skule™ Nite 0T6.
Working on behalf of the Skule™ Nite
Orchestra, David recruited 16 musicians –
more than ever before – and wrote all the
arrangements for the 2005-2006 year. In
2006-2007, he co-founded the Skule™
Orchestra while maintaining a solid cumulative
GPA of 3.71.