Toronto – (April 25, 2017) – For his contributions to the engineering profession through his extensive involvement in Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) chapter and committee activities, Gregory Robert Merrill, P.Eng., FEC, of Midhurst, has been named a Member of PEO’s Order of Honour. He was inducted into the Order at a gala on April 21 in Thunder Bay.
Towards the end of a long career as a Royal Canadian Air Force aerospace engineer, Merrill found himself posted at CFB Borden, where he began his volunteer work with PEO’s Simcoe-Muskoka Chapter, serving as treasurer, vice chair, and, on two separate occasions, chair.
But while he enjoyed his executive duties with the chapter, he says it’s his volunteer work with recent graduates that he’s found most inspiring: “I make every effort to interact with new engineering graduates to explain the importance of pursuing their P.Eng. certification as well as becoming involved within their peer groups. I honestly believe that successfully communicating the importance of being part of the engineering profession underpins the continued sustainability we require as a self-regulating profession,” he says.
To that end, Merrill mentors engineering interns in his chapter, as well as aspiring executives, to help them get the most out of their volunteer experience. He has also been instrumental in attracting new blood to the chapter board, resulting in greater diversity and increased participation in the chapter. This has been his greatest reward as a PEO volunteer: “Seeing young engineers not only express appreciation for being encouraged to obtain licensure, but to also see these same maturing engineers becoming involved in PEO affairs and activities, and themselves being the advocates of the profession,” he says.
The Order of Honour pays tribute to individuals who have rendered conspicuous service to the engineering profession. The Member designation honours those who have served the engineering profession by contributing substantially to its operation or improvement in its status.
About Professional Engineers Ontario
Under the authority of the Professional Engineers Act, PEO governs over 85,000 licence and certificate holders and regulates professional engineering in Ontario. PEO’s mission is to regulate and advance the practice of engineering to protect the public interest. Its vision is to be the trusted leader in professional self-regulation. Professional engineering safeguards life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare and the environment. Professional engineers can be identified by the P.Eng. after their names. Holders of limited licences can be identified by LEL or LET after their names.
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