AACE Bulletin
Bulletin Section news for April
AACE International sections from around the world are encouraged to submit write-ups and photos of their monthly section meetings and other activities. For the April Source, submissions were received from the Montreal Section.
Montreal Section
The Montreal Section enjoyed a virtual meeting on March 1, 2022, attended by 60 members and guests the presentation The Top Ten Mistakes Made in Forensic Analysis by two well-known AACE speakers, Glen Palmer PSP, CFCC, FAACE and Owner of GR Palmer Consulting Services, LLC and Chris Carson, CEP, DRMP, PSP, FAACE and Enterprise Director of Program and Project Controls and Vice President for Arcadis.
The paper of the same name, which was published at the 2021 AACE Annual Conference, contained top ten tips based on the authors’ observations and experience in project controls, forensic analysis, and dispute resolution as well as AACE’s recommended practices.
The audience enjoyed a discussion on ten top mistakes made in forensic analysis today, how to recognize them and avoid them. Some of the tips included how to analyze a project’s forensic history accurately, selecting the correct methodologies, the importance of project documentation, why “cherry picking” of data can be dangerous and how to prepare and present for testimony as an expert witness. The presentation included many interesting anecdotes.
On a cold snowy March 1st in Montreal, the audience provided a very warm welcome to our guest speakers, Glen and Chris and hope to have them visit us in person another time.
Chris Carson, CEP DRMP PSP FAACE and Glen Palmer, CFCC PSP FAACE speaking to the Montreal Section.
British Columbia Section
Jessica Hon
Director of Marketing,
British Columbia Section Board
Jessica Hon is the Director of Marketing on the British Columbia Section Board since 2017. She holds the Certified Estimating Professional (CEP) certification from AACE. She is currently working as a estimating consultant for the Site C Clean Energy Project in British Columbia. This project is constructing a hydroelectric dam and generating station. In previous years, Jessica held different positions in project delivery. Her experience includes work in estimating, project controls, and project management for infrastructure and heavy industries, including mining and oil and gas. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, volleyball, and travel.
Kelvin Chow
Director of Programs,
British Columbia Section Board
Kelvin Chow is the current Director of Programs on the British Columbia Section Board. New to the board, Kelvin has been with BC Hydro for over 10 years. He has spent the last three years as a risk professional where he manages and reports on risks for different projects. In his off time, when he is not playing dad to a rambunctious toddler, you can find him trying to run off his COVID weight in local parks.
John F. Gravel
Director of Student Programs,
British Columbia Section Board
John F. Gravel is the Director of Student Programs for the British Columbia Section Board. He is Managing Director of Bedrock-Service with offices in Canada, the US, and Peru. John has over 25 years of practical delivery experience in the mining and construction industry. His involvement has included a significant number of complex projects, including open pit and underground mines, processing plants, airports, highways, rail systems, power generation projects, and various civil engineering schemes. He has worked on projects in a variety of countries including the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Australia, and Asia. John has provided project management, finance, procurement operations management, contract negotiation and contract administration, procurement systems development, strategic sourcing management, construction industry consulting and litigation consulting services to both public and private clients. He has also served as an expert witness on litigation and commercial dispute matters related to damages assessments.