Staff Profiles
Name: Craig Beaton
Role: Senior Project Manager, Client Contact for a major petroleum company, Eastern/Northern Ontario
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as the Client Contact for a major Client in Eastern/Northern Ontario?
I manage the projects in Eastern and Northern Ontario for a major petroleum company and act as one of the primary points of contact between the Client and Terrapex. My principal responsibilities are to evaluate site conditions on the Client’s sites, determine what work is needed to meet the Client’s objectives and then ensure that the work is completed in an efficient and cost-effective manner. My responsibilities also include acting as a liaison between the Client and regulators, municipalities and property owners.
Why is a client specific contact important?
Providing a primary point of contact in different regions across the province ensures a consistent product that meets the Client’s requirements. It also allows the Client to rely on myself and Terrapex’s other regional points of contact to make appropriate decisions for their sites that reflect the Client’s values and objectives, based on working relationships we have with local municipalities and regional regulatory offices.
Career Development:
I began my career as a field technician and have grown professionally since then. In 2011 I became a Project Manager and was recently promoted to the role of Senior Project Manager. Through Terrapex I have been able to work on a wide variety of projects across Ontario for various clients including commercial and industrial clients, and federal, provincial and municipal government clients.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
I enjoy both the problem solving and service-driven aspects of consulting. I also like the challenge of evaluating site conditions to understand contaminant migration pathways, in order to develop practical and cost-effective options to remediate/mitigate the contamination.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
There is a concerted effort to provide employees the ability to pursue different opportunities and grow as professionals/individuals. The flexibility afforded – I can bank my overtime hours to be used later. Finally the relationships with co-workers: the Ottawa office is a fun group and is a relaxed environment to work in.
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
Primarily sports (I play on recreational hockey and softball teams and play golf and tennis whenever I can); spending time with my wife and both of our amazing families; and, playing with our dog.
Name: Roxana Khoshravesh, PhD
Role: Botanist
Location: Toronto, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as Terrapex’s Botanist?
As Terrapex’s Botanist, my responsibilities involve conducting ecological surveys, specifically focusing on botanical surveys and identifying species at risk. I also provide plans and strategies to address these species in compliance with Ontario legislation, federal registration requirements, and municipal legislation. Additionally, I contribute to ecological land classification and wetland evaluation projects.
In addition to these core responsibilities, being involved in the conservation and preservation of endangered species is a significant aspect of my role. This commitment to saving these species resonates strongly and adds a deep sense of fulfillment to my work.
Career Development:
I’ve had extensive experience working in field biology, plant physiology, data analysis, and technical writing, and I hold a B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D. in Plant Systematics. Parallelling my academic research, I’ve served as a project manager and as an expert in quality and environmental management systems within the industry. I have been a researcher at the University of Toronto and New Mexico, and a Senior Research Scientist at Lancaster University (UK). I’ve also co-authored numerous academic papers. I teach at Seneca Polytechnic and am a managing guest editor for the journal Perspectives in Plant Systematics, Ecology, and Evolution.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
One of the aspects I enjoy most about my role is being able to go outdoors, observe plants and listen to the birds. Having the opportunity to connect and enjoy nature is something I genuinely appreciate.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
Terrapex offers a great working environment, particularly in terms of the sense of community. I feel like a valued member of a supportive community and a part of a team.
What keeps you busy besides work?
Outside of work, I spend my time reading, mainly novels and history books. I also enjoy writing about plants from a personal perspective, not just scientifically, and I like to express my approach and connection with them. I also like jewelry making, knitting, and spending time walking in nature.