Rotary Program July 9, 1009
Mr. Bart West was appointed as Honorary Colonel of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton, AB in October 2001. He will be discussing his view of a trip he took to visit the troops in Afganistan.
Honorary Colonel West was born in the UK. Following training as an electrical engineer (specializing in electric power transmission and distribution) he held a variety of engineering positions with the electricity supply industry in the UK.
After immigrating to Canada in 1974, Honorary Colonel West assumed responsibilities for the design and construction of electric transmission systems in Northern Canada, Alaska, Iran and California. He joined Alberta Power Limited in 1980 with responsibilities in the transmission field. He became manager of a Northwest Territories power company and then transferred to ATCO Frontec as operations manager responsible for the operation and maintenance of NORAD's North Warning System.
In 1991, as general manager of ATCO Frontec Airports, he assumed overall responsibility for growing the airport business within the company. From 1991 Honorary Colonel West developed ATCO's airport operations business, including contracts for Portage La Prairie, MB and Moose Jaw, SK. He served as director of corporate affairs ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas.
He has been involved in various industry and charitable organizations including a term as chairman of Western branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, board member for Habitat for Humanity, past president of the Alberta Aviation Council and past chairman of the Action Strategy Act Group