Speakers

Dean Haslip is the new Vice President, Technical Support Branch and Chief Science Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.  Dean comes to us from Natural Resources Canada, where he was most recently the Director General of the Office of Energy Efficiency. As DG OEE, Dean led the development of the Canada Green Buildings Strategy and was responsible for Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations and a multitude of Energy Efficiency policies and programs.  Prior to that, Dean was the Director General of CanmetENERGY-Ottawa, Canada’s largest non-nuclear energy R&D facility.  He led R&D programs in Carbon Capture and Storage, Industrial Energy Systems, Building Energy Systems, Bioenergy and other Renewable Energy Technologies.  He also played prominent leadership roles in the multinational Mission Innovation initiative.  His work in advancing Canada’s net-zero goals speaks to his deep commitment to and passion for a clean-energy future.

Dean began his public service career with Defence R&D Canada, the R&D arm of the Department of National Defence.  He spent 15 years at DRDC, first as a research scientist in the field of radiological defence, then in a series of leadership roles in Operational Research and with DRDC’s Programs office.

Dean has a PhD in nuclear structure physics from McMaster University and earned an MSc from Queen’s University working on the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory.

Jennifer Edey is the Senior Vice President of Operational Services and Business Development at Bruce Power. She oversees the operation of key services that directly support the safe operation of Bruce Power’s nuclear fleet. These services include Information Technology and Digital Transformation, the operations and maintenance of all facilities and infrastructure, the document management system for Bruce Power, Radiological Waste Management and Health Physics. She also leads Emergency and Protective Services which consists of Nuclear Security, Fire Response and Prevention, and Emergency Management.

She has most recently added Business Development to her portfolio where she oversees isotope development, new nuclear initiatives and innovative technology and project opportunities to support our Net Zero Strategy.

Jennifer started her career with Suncor in Calgary where she was at the leading edge of renewable energy development in Canada. She developed wind farms across Canada and eventually co-ran a successful wind development company in Ontario.

She studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and completed her Executive MBA through Queens University while working for Suncor in Calgary.

Benjamin Casey, PE, CPP, PSP, DBIA, MBA, is a seasoned fire protection engineer with extensive technical and managerial expertise, specializing in safety, security, and fire protection. As a Principal shareholder, he leads PLC’s United States operations. 

Mr. Casey’s skills include risk-based engineering, fire protection systems design, performance-based code analysis, resiliency planning, and multidisciplinary project management across sectors like government, healthcare, and industrial facilities. His work encompasses advanced fire protection and security systems design, facility condition assessments, and strategic safety and risk planning. 

With an MBA from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, Mr. Casey combines technical knowledge with business acumen. He has led initiatives at global architectural and engineering (A/E) firms, establishing new practices, offices, and market expansions. Notable achievements include receiving the SMPS Award of Excellence for materials associated with developing a Resilience Practice and serving on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American Institute of Architects (AIA) committees to shape and advance fire safety standards and design methodologies. 

Mr. Casey’s Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP) certifications from ASIS International highlight his proficiency in addressing complex security challenges, including surveillance, access control, intrusion detection systems, and threat and vulnerability assessments. 

A recognized thought leader, Mr. Casey has published on emergency communication systems, presented on cutting-edge video fire detection technologies, and organized seminars on fire protection for historic buildings. His awards include the Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Chesapeake Chapter Gold Excellence Award for contributions to fire protection and life safety.

Ben is also Co-Host of the new “Fire Protection Engineering Podcast” with his long-time friend, colleague, and self-appointment FPE Memer-in-Chief, Kelly Kidwell.

Andy Owen is the Vice President of Emergency Services and Training for Ontario Power Generation (OPG). He is responsible for Fire Protection and Training for OPG’s nuclear fleet consisting of 2 stations and 10 nuclear units. He is also responsible for Emergency Management and Security for all of OPG’s facilities across Ontario.

Andy has worked in the Nuclear Power industry for over 30 years, all with Ontario Power Generation/Ontario Hydro at both the Darlington and Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations. He brings expertise in areas such as operational focus, training, emergency preparedness, and leadership.

He started his career in Operations at Pickering Nuclear, where he became a certified Shift Manager. He has held various operationally focused positions, such as Assistant Operations Manager and Senior Fuel Handling Manager. Prior to his current position, Andy spent three years as the Director of Operations Training for Pickering and Darlington Nuclear.

Andy is a graduate of the University of Toronto with an H.B.Sc in Physics and an M.Sc. in Physics and Astrophysics.

Andy is married and has 2 children. He enjoys playing guitar and games of all types.

Ghaith Qamheiah is a Principal and the President of PLC Fire Safety Engineering. With over 20 years of experience in fire and life safety engineering consulting, he has established himself as a leader in the field. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University and professional engineering designations in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

Ghaith specializes in fire hazard assessments, code and intent analysis, development of alternative solutions and performance-based designs, and the review of building and fire safety systems. He has led numerous high-profile projects, including serving as the fire safety code consultant for the University of Toronto’s Pharmacy and CCBR buildings, the University of Guelph-Humber campus, and several pharmaceutical and chemical facilities for industry leaders like Biovail, AstraZeneca, and Torcan.

In the nuclear sector, Ghaith has led major projects for Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, and Cameco Corporation. His work includes fire hazard assessments, fire safe shutdown analyses, and code compliance reviews for nuclear power plants, waste management facilities, and fuel processing sites.

Ghaith actively contributes to advancing fire safety standards as a member of Canadian Standards Association (CSA) committees (N293 and N393). He is also a member of the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS), the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Kenneth (Rick) Doremus is currently the Manager, Emergency Management at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and World Association of Nuclear Operators – Atlanta Center (WANO-AC).  In his current role, his group is responsible for assessing the performance of emergency preparedness and fire protection at North American nuclear power stations.

During his 30-year tenure at INPO/WANO-AC, Rick has qualified in most assessment areas for WANO peer reviews; these include operations, maintenance, engineering, and equipment reliability.  Subsequently, Rick served as the Analysis Section Manager and the Supplier Participant Program Manager.  From 2008 until 2022, Rick has served as a continuum leader (formerly known as senior representative and performance monitoring leader). In this capacity, Rick oversaw between 7 and 13 nuclear power stations.

Rick holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from Regis University.  Rick served in the United States Navy as a nuclear-trained submarine officer.

Kathleen Duguay is the Manager of Community Affairs and Nuclear Regulatory Protocol at New Brunswick Power and a nuclear professional with more than 35 years’ experience in a cross-section of communications and engagement activities from Indigenous, community, stakeholder, government and media relations to marketing and employee communications. She has worked to strengthen the social licence for Atlantic Canada’s only nuclear generating station by building strong relationships with its surrounding communities as well as various stakeholders and rightsholders through open dialogue, transparency, trust and integrity. As a volunteer, she has brought her communication skills and love of New Brunswick to a host of important initiatives of benefit to her community. For many years, Kathleen was the Media Relations Officer and the voice of NB Power, sharing the company’s story with the local, provincial and national media. She led the communications and community relations teams during the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.

Kathleen is no stranger to the inside of the nuclear plant where she began her career with Point Lepreau and has acted as a Radiation Protection Assistant and Human Performance Manager and is also a member of the Station Emergency Incident Command Team. She cultivated strong connections both with community partners and colleagues.

Kathleen also serves as the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station liaison with New Brunswick’s First Nations and surrounding communities, establishing strong and trusting relationship and ensuring their distinct interests and culture are recognized and respected in all station activities. Kathleen takes every opportunity that comes her way to become further educated in the culture, history, and current affairs of the First Nations Peoples.  Kathleen remains ever-present in the New Brunswick community engaging and supporting the youth, the workers of the fisheries industry, and seniors’ groups.  Beyond nuclear, Kathleen has managed community relations programs for NB Power’s other operating companies across the province and on a variety of special projects, including the construction of the 95 km International Power Line, which connects New Brunswick to many communities between the Nuclear Plant and the USA border.

In June 2020, Kathleen received the Canadian Nuclear Achievement Award in Education and Communication, for her leadership, dedication, and success in educating the public about nuclear power. Kathleen has been instrumental in building and maintaining open lines of communication with First Nations, local community, government, and media that are based upon respect, undertanding and trust.

Adrian is currently the Director, Corporate Fire & Emergency Preparedness at CNL -Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Adrian has over 16 years of experience in emergency management. Adrian is a leader in Emergency Management, Business Continuity Planning, Crisis Management and Fire Protection.

adrian.bilton@cnl.ca

Jacquie Hoornweg has more than 20 years in energy sector communications, policy and business management, following a decade in journalism where she covered nuclear energy and fusion (ITER), and politics. From 2003-2014, Jacquie held progressive public affairs and stakeholder management positions at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), including four years as VP Corporate Relations and Communications. For the past decade, she has shared her expertise with her valued clients in the utility and energy sectors. This included two years (2021-2023) leading the Brilliant Energy Institute at Ontario Tech University. As a part-time professor, she teaches reputation management at McMaster University and energy policy at Ontario Tech University. Jacquie is a fellow of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and was recognized in 2021 with the CNS-CNA Howard A. Smith Award for outstanding contribution.