Board Members
Board and Executive Committee Members
The Executive Committee provides leadership and strategic direction for the Alberta Rigging Safety Council. Drawing on experience in industry operations, education, health and safety, governance, workforce development, and advocacy, the Executive Committee is responsible for guiding the Council's priorities, supporting effective decision-making, and helping establish a strong foundation for future growth.
Improving rigging safety requires more than technical expertise— it requires leadership, accountability, and collaboration. The Executive Committee helps ensure the Council remains focused, sustainable, and aligned with its mission of advancing safety across Alberta's industries.
Jesse Johnson
Co-Chair
President, Connect Group Inc.
Jesse Johnson is President of Connect Group Inc. and brings more than 30 years of experience in Alberta's heavy industrial sectors, including energy, mining, major projects, maintenance, and turnarounds. Throughout his career, he has led teams operating in environments where rigging, hoisting, and critical lifts are part of daily operations. Jesse joined the Alberta Rigging Safety Council with a commitment to advancing consistent standards, competency, and accountability across industry. As Chair, his goal is to help establish practical frameworks that support safer rigging practices and reduce serious incidents and fatalities. He brings extensive leadership experience, a results-driven mindset, and a strong belief that excellence in training and competency benefits everyone involved in lifting operations.
Ashleigh Kaliszuk
Co-Chair
Crane and Hoist Instructor, NAIT
Ashleigh Kaliszuk is a Crane & Hoist Instructor at NAIT and a Red Seal and Blue Seal Mobile Crane Operator with over 15 years of experience in construction, crane operation, and rigging activities. Her career began in 2008 and has included field operations, apprenticeship training, industry advocacy, and construction communications. Passionate about safe rigging practices and accountability, Ashleigh brings a practical perspective shaped by both industry and education. As Vice-Chair of the Alberta Rigging Safety Council, she is committed to helping build practical standards, improving consistency across industry, and supporting safer outcomes for everyone involved in rigging and hoisting operations.
Kris Chambers
Treasurer
Apprenticeship Coordinator, Ironworkers Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund
Kris Chambers serves as Apprenticeship Coordinator for Ironworkers Local 725, overseeing training programs for approximately 500 apprentices while managing program planning, budgeting, and technical education initiatives. A Journeyman Structural and Reinforcing Ironworker, Kris combines extensive field experience with a Bachelor of Commerce and a strong background in financial management. His career includes instructional, leadership, and workforce development roles, providing a unique blend of trades knowledge and organizational stewardship. As Treasurer of the Alberta Rigging Safety Council, Kris is focused on supporting strong governance, financial accountability, and the advancement of training and competency standards that contribute to safer workplaces across Alberta.
Chris Waples
Officer, Union & Trades Relations
Director of Education, Edmonton Pipe Trades
Chris Waples is Director of Education for UA Local 488 and the Alberta Pipe Trades College, where he oversees apprenticeship training, industry certification, and workforce development initiatives serving thousands of skilled trades professionals across Alberta. His career spans nearly four decades in education, leadership, and the pipe trades, including experience as a Red Seal Plumber and Steamfitter working across a variety of construction and industrial sectors. Chris joined the Alberta Rigging Safety Council to support the development of consistent training, competency standards, and workforce development initiatives that strengthen rigging and hoisting safety across Alberta. He brings expertise in skilled trades education, apprenticeship, governance, and industry collaboration, with a strong focus on building practical solutions that support safer workplaces.
Additional Board Members
The Alberta Rigging Safety Council Board brings together professionals from a broad cross-section of industry, including construction, energy, manufacturing, training, apprenticeship, crane operations, ironworking, occupational health and safety, and industry advocacy. This diverse representation reflects the many sectors, trades, and organizations that rely on safe rigging, hoisting, and lifting practices every day.
Rigging and hoisting activities affect far more than a single trade or industry. By bringing together a wide range of perspectives and experiences, the Council is better positioned to identify challenges, share knowledge, and develop practical solutions that support safer workplaces throughout Alberta. This broad representation helps ensure the Council's work is informed, balanced, and relevant to the people it serves.
Katy Carley
Secretary
Director of Health, Safety and Transportation, Enserva
Katy Carley is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and leads occupational health and safety, regulatory, transportation, and training advocacy initiatives at Enserva. With more than 20 years of experience across the energy services, manufacturing, transportation, and industrial sectors, Katy has built a career focused on helping organizations manage risk, navigate regulatory requirements, and improve safety performance. Her experience spans governance, standards development, compliance, and industry advocacy. As Secretary of the Alberta Rigging Safety Council, Katy is committed to supporting effective governance, collaboration, and practical solutions that strengthen rigging and hoisting safety while helping build a sustainable organization with long-term impact.
Jordy East
Board Member
Jordy has nearly 25 years of industry experience, and served as former Vice President, Construction and Maintenance at Waiward Industrial, where he oversaw the safe execution of field operations across a wide range of industrial construction and maintenance projects. He has progressed from Journeyman Ironworker to senior leadership roles responsible for operations, quality, and safety performance. His experience combines hands-on field knowledge with strategic management and organizational leadership. Jordy joined the Council to support improvements in rigging and hoisting safety and to help advance greater consistency in competency and qualification requirements across industry sectors. He brings practical insight from both operational and leadership perspectives.
Chris Schnell
Board Member
Ironworker Instructor, SAIT
Chris Schnell is an Ironworker Instructor at SAIT and a member of Ironworkers Local 725. His career began as a welder before progressing into structural ironworking, where he gained extensive experience in commercial construction, precast installation, and complex rigging activities. Throughout his career, Chris has witnessed firsthand how training and competency can significantly improve safety outcomes. Today, he shares that experience with apprentices, helping prepare the next generation of tradespeople for safe and successful careers. As a member of the Alberta Rigging Safety Council, Chris is committed to strengthening awareness, education, and training opportunities that help reduce incidents and improve rigging practices across the industry.
Deb Hlushak
Board Member
HSE Manager, Propak Systems Ltd.
Deb Hlushak is the HSE Manager for Propak Systems and brings more than 25 years of health and safety experience to the Council. During her career, she has developed comprehensive safety programs, led auditing initiatives, and worked closely with industry leaders, regulators, and occupational health and safety professionals. Deb's involvement in rigging and hoisting safety stems from firsthand experience developing internal training programs and investigating serious incidents that reinforced the need for stronger industry-wide standards. Through her role on the Council, she is dedicated to advancing prevention-focused initiatives, sharing best practices, and helping create meaningful improvements in rigging, hoisting, and lifting safety throughout Alberta.
Matthew Moreau
Board Member
Manager Resources, Projects, Mammoet
Matthew Moreau is Manager of Resources and Projects for Mammoet, where he is responsible for coordinating specialized lifting equipment and resources to support projects throughout Western Canada. With 19 years of industry experience, Matthew has held roles as a rigger, crane operator, supervisor, trainer, consultant, and manager. His broad experience has given him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing contractors, training providers, and lifting specialists alike. Matthew joined the Alberta Rigging Safety Council to contribute to the advancement of industry standards and remain actively involved in the evolution of rigging and lifting practices. He brings practical field knowledge, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to professionalism and safety.
Thomas O'Neill
Board Member
Professor, University of Calgary
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Tom graduated from Western University and is Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Calgary. He is the Arts-Engineering Chair in High Performance Teamwork and Engineering Education and Head of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Tom is also the principal investigator for Brandon Nelson’s Rigging, Hoisting, and Lifting Creative Sentence (2025-2028). His interests are in socio-technical systems, specifically the intersection of culture, technology, leadership and management, and behaviour in team contexts. He views safety as a behavior and his team studies human and organizational factors that contribute to safe and unsafe behavioral choices.
