For more than a decade, the Edmonton Area Pipeline and Utility Operators’ Committee (EAPUOC) has recognized an outstanding individual or company with the Bruce Wilson Contractor Safety Award.
As a long time EAPUOC damage prevention consultant and safety innovator, Bruce Wilson had deep connections with the digging community. Be it handing out Safe Dig Manuals at safety seminars and trade shows or visiting excavating contractors at their shops, he was instrumental in spreading the message that “every ground disturbance should begin with an Alberta One-Call.”
Following Bruce’s passing in 2006, it was decided that a safety award would be fitting. Not only would it serve as an enduring tribute to a great man who dedicated his career to enhancing safety and awareness in Edmonton’s digging communities, it would inspire others to strive for excellence.
The general criteria for the Bruce Wilson Contractor Safety Award is "he/she be an individual who is involved in creating ground disturbances, understands the importance of consistently following the rules with respect to working around buried facilities and demonstrates concern for fellow workers and safety of the general public".
In the fall nominations are accepted from EAPUOC’s members for the annual Award. These names are then circulated to the membership and voted on by them resulting in a winner being chosen and subsequently honoured/recognized at EAPUOC’s December General Meeting.
Mat Abstreiter, EAPUOC’s Chair, presenting Marco Kranz of Keyera with his Award. Unfortunately, Shawn Schultheiss of Pembina was unable to attend the presentation
The Winners of the 2025 Bruce Wilson Damage Prevention Champion Award
For the first time ever, EAPUOC had two winners of the Award - Marco Kranz of Keyera and Shawn Schultheiss of Pembina. Marco joined the trades in 2000. He earned his journeyman steamfitter/pipefitter, gas fitter class 2 and red seal accreditations in 2004. From 2000 to 2012 Marco worked for a local Fort Saskatchewan fabrication shop in various rolls from pipefitter, foreman, supervisor and project manager. In 2012 he became self employed as a construction manager under the banner of EM Project Management Corp. As a construction manager he worked exclusively for Keyera Energy on various piping and expansion projects since 2012 with the main focus being pipeline integrity digs since 2020. Shawn Schultheiss is from Cold Lake where he started in the trades in 1989. He received his red seal Pipefitting, Steam fitting and gas fitting in 1994. He started his company in 1996 and has since worked throughout Canada and the U.S. completing various facilities, pipelines, and integrity work for various clients. He continues to work as a contract construction manager today, working in engineering support roles and construction execution roles. Shawn has had the pleasure of working in the industry for over 37 years alongside a great support team.
Previous Award recipients include:
2025 - Marco Kranz of Keyera and Shawn Schultheiss of Pembina
2024 - Mike Carpenter and Travis Thomas of TAHK Project Ltd
2023 - Carl Wagoner
2022 – Grant Huys
2021 – Crystal Pihowich
2020 – Sacha Mathieson
2019 – Dale Wilson
2018 – CTL Canada
2017 – Janet Welter, Locate Management
2016 – Joe Verbeek, Joe Verbeek Contracting Ltd.
2015 - Dawn-Marie Rice, Jatec
2014 - Harvey Hull
2013 - Ernie Johnson, AECON
2012 - Michael Gary Goebel, AltaFlights (Posthumously)
2011 - Gerry Vandersteen, Precision Gradall
2010 - Hydrodig Edmonton
2009 - T.C. Backhoe and Directional Drilling
2008 - Commercial Trenching Ltd.
2007 - Sureway Construction Management Limited