Frederick Pheasey has spent his life doing what engineers do best: solve problems.
In the early 1970s, he realized much of the American-made oilfield drilling equipment used in Canada wasn't able to cope with the cold winters. Pheasey began to manufacture drilling equipment sturdy enough to operate in some of the world's harshest climates, including Alaska, Russia and the Amazon jungle. In 1972, when the oil and gas industry in Alberta was heating up, Pheasey entered into the oilfield equipment manufacturing and distribution industry with the business he co-founded, Dreco Energy Services.
Pheasey also saw an opportunity to use his problem-solving skills to tackle a bigger social problem: homelessness. As a member of Edmonton's Committee to End Homelessness in 2008, he helped develop a 10-year plan to help the city's most vulnerable people find safe and affordable housing. The committee applied an approach that focused on mental health and addiction prior to addressing housing issues. By 2012, the number of homeless Edmontonians dropped by 30 per cent.
Pheasey, who has also supported the next generation of engineers at U of A and the United Way for more than 25 years, is committed to using innovation to help solve problems, whether it's in the business world or his community.
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