Gregory Decker, P.Eng.
Dartmouth,NS
Summary
A Professional Engineer with over 30 years’ experience working in the private and public sector. Most recently with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables working on Clean Innovation and Renewable Energy. In this role have spent 10 years helping to establish the foundation for a tidal energy sector in Nova Scotia through legislation, research and development. Currently working on offshore wind and hydrogen development as the province advances to a low carbon economy and net zero by 2050.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Lead, Marine Renewables/Clean Innovation
NS DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND RENEWABLESS
04.2012 - Current
- Areas of Responsibility : Offshore Wind Energy - planning, enabling through legislation, studying, evaluating and developing offshore wind sector in Nova Scotia, both for domestic renewable energy needs and PtoX (hydrogen).
- Hydrogen - Creating market path for green hydrogen production utilizing renewable energy (OSW) to meet domestic clean fuel requirements and growing export potential in Europe.
- Tidal Energy Development - High concentration of work on tidal energy including but not limited to COMFIT Small Scale Tidal, Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE), RFP to fill vacant berths, Assisted FORCE in work to upgrade electrical infrastructure, participation on FORCE's Operations Subcommittee, Developmental Tidal Array Feed-in Tariff, Developmental Tidal Power Purchase Agreement, Marine Renewable Energy Act and Regulations, TC 114 Marine Energy Standards - Have been member of Canadian Subcommittee for TC114 for 4 years and contribute to establishing marine renewable standards, Tidal Funding, Tidal Infrastructure, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for Tidal Power , Tidal Sector Marketing and Conferences/Trade Shows, Tidal Supply Chain Development, Transmission Studies and Upgrades for Nova Scotia Power
- Chaired Department Human Resources Committee.
- Technical Policy - provides senior level policy analysis and recommendations to senior management on issues relating to electricity and renewable energy in Nova Scotia, with focus on environmental implications of energy use and trends in energy supply, demand and pricing
- Technical Research – provides senior level research, analysis and expert advice on federal, provincial and territorial policies and participates on interdepartmental and Federal/Provincial/Territorial policy and advisory committees (Federal - Provincial One Window Tidal Committee, Waste To Energy Interdepartmental Committee, COMFIT One Window Review Committee, CSA SMC to IEC TC114 Marine Energy Standards Development Team.)
- Government Support - prepares briefing material and memos to cabinet for ministerial use and develops recommendations on alternatives and options in areas of energy strategy, policies, planning and programs. Develops and advises on strategies, legislation, regulations, policies, projects and programs directed at efficient, economic, environmentally and socially responsible development and use of energy by all economic sectors.
Research Manager, Marine Renewables (Secondment)
OFFSHORE ENERGY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (OERA)
08.2018 - 04.2019
- Developed relationships within the research, academic and energy sectors to further the interests of OERA; project management; R&D Administration; and support to new research initiatives
- Project Management – Provided project management and R&D administration of active OERA project portfolio (petroleum & tidal); responsible for compliance/non- compliance report assessment; developed, managed and executed research calls via RFP process.
- Contract Management - Drafted all contracts for research projects. Liaised with project proponents. Revised contracts and updates received.
- Stakeholder Relations - Managed researcher relations. Support to OERA Program Management Committees. Built, liaised with, and maintained third party/stakeholder relations within Nova Scotia, regionally, nationally and internationally to advance OERA research agenda
- Delivered on community engagement initiatives; field work.
- Best Practices – Provided oversight and drafted documents to ensure adherence to research and development governance, strategies, policies and plans
- Communications - Supported and drafted communications initiatives concerning research projects.
- Developed relationships and communicated with clients to explain proposals, present research findings or discuss project status
Regional Engineer
NOVA SCOTIA ENVIRONMENT
05.2009 - 04.2012
- Professional Engineering Services – performed duties as specialist in environment and environmental health field
- Responsible for advising, consulting, supervising, planning, and coordinating all aspects of engineering plans, policies, procedures, and programs
- Technical resource for Department and General Public
- Compliance – Ensured compliance with Departmental legislation through review of data submitted as requirement of approvals or Department’s programs
- Environmental Operating Approvals - participated in application review and environmental approvals processes through review of engineering reports, proposals, plans and specifications on projects with environmental and environmental health implications. Drafted approval terms and conditions of such projects including sewage, septage, solid waste (landfills, compost), dangerous goods and waste dangerous goods, and industrial processes. Reviewed design and assessment of land suitability
- Projects - Coordinated and oversaw special projects and inspection staff as needed
- Participated on Working Groups for major projects
- Initiated and prepared technical guidelines, policies, and regulations regarding environmental and environmental health issues.
Shift Production Supervisor
ABITIBIBOWATER INC, Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd
06.2006 - 05.2009
- Supervision – Supervisory duties for entire facility, including 3 Line Mechanical Pulping and 2 Newsprint Paper Machines. Managed crew of 35 operators and maintenance personnel.
- Safety – Promoted a safe work environment through communicating safety issues, leading safety meetings, practicing the principles outlined in the plant Occupational Health & Safety Manual. Training in Tagout/Lockout, Confined Space, Fall Protection and First Aid including CPR
- Quality – Participated in Quality Reviews and process troubleshooting. Maintained quality targets for pulp and paper production
- Environmental – Responsible for ensuring environmental compliance at mill site, including effluent plant, water treatment, and pulp/paper mill
- Production – Responsible for pulp and paper production, to meet or exceed budgets and minimize downtime.
- Project Management – Managed projects including steam reduction, energy reduction and efficiency improvement. Managed move from traditional newsprint to some new paper grades, including paperback book paper.
Purchasing & Transportation Specialist (CONTRACT)
Neenah Paper
08.2005 - 06.2006
- Buyer - Managed procurement activities ensuring that all Fiberline Operations, Maintenance and Capital Materials and Services met quality standards, were delivered in timely fashion and at most competitive total cost. Negotiated policies and contracts with vendors to achieve optimal pricing and consistent availability.
- Mill Stores – Managed Purchasing requirements for Stores, ensured Inventory Control to reduce costs but maintain essentials. Routinely quoted items for competitive pricing.
- Inventory Control – Separate from Stores, Maintained Inventory for Pulp Machine clothing and Fiberline chemicals.
- Employee Engagement – Served as contributing team member to Fiberline Group, working with Operations, Maintenance, Materials and Accounting Departments.
- Mill Shutdown – Executed successful mill maintenance shutdown from materials perspective in supply requirements
- Contracts – Actively participated in contract negotiations with various vendors.
- Negotiated with suppliers, vendors and other representatives
Relief Pulp Mill Area Manager
Caustic/Kiln/ClO2 Gen, INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
03.2004 - 10.2004
- Management – Supervised and optimized operation of two lime kilns, two recausticizing lines and ClO2 manufacturing plants. Responsible for area budget and utilization of Best Practices.
- Production – Set operational objectives, developed operational work systems including production targets and parameters (Standard Operating Procedures), promoted and performed process trouble shooting (Trouble Cause Correction) to gain equipment reliability and continuous operation
- Safety – Promoted and challenged area safety. Ensured that operators were carrying out safety policies. Through maintenance planning and housekeeping shift responsibilities provided a safe conscious environment for operators to perform their work tasks. Ensured that safety issues were dealt with in a timely manner and that progress was being communicated. Directed Occupational Health & Safety matters in the area
- Environmental – Responsible for introducing new environmental limits being imposed which included high concentration and low concentration non-condensable gas (NCG) System, Lime kiln Scrubber operations, sewer pH/conductivity/BOD limitations, and Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) generation (R8 scrubber, saltcake production, sulfuric acid, methanol and sodium chlorate handling, and ClO2 storage).
- Reliability – Assisted with capital planning, responsible for coordinating daily and annual shutdown maintenance planning
- Provided operational information and operations experience during Root Cause Failure Analysis sessions.
Process Manager
Pulp Mill/ Woodyard, INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
10.2003 - 02.2004
- Supervision – Managed and coordinated 36-person team including 13 Pulp Mill Operators, 10 Woodyard Operators, and 3 Maintenance Personnel. Managed crew payroll and planned operator training. Scheduled employees to fulfill upcoming shift vacancies. Assisted maintenance crew to achieve goals while minimizing downtime. Conducted root cause analysis to identify, prioritize and eliminate process losses. and equipment failure.
- Safety – Performed Safety and Housekeeping Audits. Continuously communicated good safety behaviors and emphasized safe working practices to team members.
- Production – Responsible for managing continuous operation of Woodyard (long log, chip reclaim, and bark system), R8 Chlorine Dioxide Generator, 2 Lime Kilns/Causticizing plants, and 3 Bleached Pulp Mill lines manufacturing both hardwood and softwood pulp. Responsible for managing company production targets and operating costs
- Quality – Managed pulp product quality to paper mill. Minimized potential off-grade pulp in order to meet or exceed established quality targets.
- Employee Engagement – Maintained open communication with team. Communicated company policies and upcoming plans with team. Communicated productions targets and team efficiencies. Strived to engage crew to improve participation and teamwork. Empowered crew to take responsibility and have input in operation.
- Conducted root cause analysis to identify, prioritize and eliminate process losses.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Chemical / Environmental
Technical University of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS1992
Certificate of Applied Science - Engineering
Acadia University
1989
Skills
- Process and Performance Improvement
- Process Implementation
- Regulatory Compliance Adherence
- Business Development
- Active Listening
- Clean Fuels
- Renewable Energy
- Continuous Improvement
- Environment
- Management
Affiliations
Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (Engineers Nova Scotia)
Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU)
Member of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Member of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) Member of SMC/TC114 Marine Renewable Standards Canadian Subcommittee
Timeline
Research Manager, Marine Renewables (Secondment)
OFFSHORE ENERGY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (OERA)
08.2018 - 04.2019
Technical Lead, Marine Renewables/Clean Innovation
NS DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND RENEWABLESS
04.2012 - Current
Regional Engineer
NOVA SCOTIA ENVIRONMENT
05.2009 - 04.2012
Shift Production Supervisor
ABITIBIBOWATER INC, Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd
06.2006 - 05.2009
Purchasing & Transportation Specialist (CONTRACT)
Neenah Paper
08.2005 - 06.2006
Relief Pulp Mill Area Manager
Caustic/Kiln/ClO2 Gen, INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
03.2004 - 10.2004
Process Manager
Pulp Mill/ Woodyard, INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
10.2003 - 02.2004
Bachelor of Engineering - Chemical / Environmental
Technical University of Nova Scotia
Certificate of Applied Science - Engineering
Acadia University
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