At its most recent meeting, the Cataraqui Conservation Full Authority Board paid tribute to a trio of staff members for achieving years of service milestones.
The staff members honoured are as follows:
Andrew Schmidt – 15 Years
Andrew is currently the Manager, Watershed Planning and Engineering for Cataraqui Conservation, which sees him overseeing the Watershed Science, Drinking Water Source Protection, Engineering and Development Review programs.
Throughout his decade and a half tenure with the organization, Andrew has held several different roles, primarily within the Development Review Team. With a background in enforcement, he has played a critical role in fulfilling Cataraqui Conservation’s mandate of protecting people and property from natural hazards, through its regulatory role. After achieving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Carleton University in Ottawa, Andrew has been a Certified Technician with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists for more than 20 years.
Michael Dakin – 10 Years
Mike joined Cataraqui Conservation as a full-time staff member in 2012 as a Development Technician. A year later, he transitioned into the role of Resource Planner before being elevated to the position of Supervisor of Development Review in 2022.
Working within the Watershed Planning and Engineering Department, Mike’s primary role is to oversee the Development Review Team. This crucial component of Cataraqui Conservation reviews development proposals from a natural hazards and watershed health perspective throughout the Cataraqui Region.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Geography from Queen’s University, he then went on to achieve his Masters of Planning degree from the Queen’s School of Urban and Regional Planning. Mike is also a certified Registered Professional Planner and Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Shawn Fairbank – 10 Years
Shawn joined Cataraqui Conservation in 2012 as a member of the Development Review Team, providing input and expertise on aspects of water resources engineering, as well as assisting with flood forecasting/warning and water management.
Currently he is an integral member of the Watershed Planning and Engineering Team, where his primary focus as Technologist, Water Resources is water management. Shawn’s responsibilities include overseeing and performing dam operation and maintenance on the water control structures owned and operated by Cataraqui Conservation and administering the Flood Forecasting and Warning program for the region which includes assessing watershed conditions, weather forecasts/warnings, forecasting stream flows as well as the review and analysis of past high water events.
Congratulations Andrew, Mike, and Shawn.