Jason Horner: Passion for cars and engineering the roads he drives on

While in high school, Jason Horner recognized that his strengths in math and sciences might be well suited to a career in engineering. His decision to “give engineering a try” turned out to be the right career choice for Jason.

While in University, Jason met Greg Edwards, an Associated Engineering employee who was completing his engineering degree at the same time as Jason. Greg introduced Jason to Bert Munro, a Senior Civil Engineer and now Vice President and General Manager of our Saskatchewan operation. Jason’s meeting with Bert led to a summer job with our Saskatoon office, and, after graduation from the University of Saskatchewan in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a permanent position with the company.

Mentors helped to shape Jason’s career

Jason started his career as a municipal engineer under the guidance and mentorship of Bert Munro. A few years later, he moved to the transportation department. Here he found Ed Bobick’s 40 years of experience in roadway design and construction an invaluable benefit. Jason then spent a winter in our Burnaby office.

Jason worked on a number of highway projects with Senior Transportation Engineer, Alan Emery, in B.C. and Saskatchewan. “Alan has been a great mentor to me,” Jason advises. “He has been a great support over the past couple of years since I took on the role of Transportation Group Manager in Saskatchewan.”

Having worked in both the private and public (with Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation) sectors, Jason states, “I enjoy the unique challenges that are often found in consulting engineering. We are fortunate to have the ability to pick the projects that we are interested in. I also really enjoy Associated Engineering’s “One Office” philosophy, which gives us the opportunity to work with transportation engineers on projects across the country.”

When asked what the keys are to his success, Jason recalls two primary areas that have been influential in his career: good mentors and construction experience. “I have been lucky to have benefited from more than one mentor and can see the influence that my mentors have had on me. I think that mentoring is key to succession. Mentoring our young staff is important--they are the future of our company.”

“The best advice I can offer to young professionals is to get as much construction experience as possible. Construction experience provides a solid base for a good design engineer or technologist. It also provides insight into what works and what doesn’t from both practical and constructability points of view.”

Recognition as an industry leader

One of Jason’s career highlights is the detailed design and construction of an urban section of highway through the City of Yorkton. The project featured the use of real time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey methods for completing the project survey, as well as design optimization using CAiCE and off-tracking analysis for every turning movement using AutoTurn 4.0 vehicle off-tracking simulation software. Using GPS survey allowed electronic transfer of design data and field stakeout with sub-centimetre accuracy at significantly reduced cost. The Highway 9 project through Yorkton received two Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan Awards of Excellence in 2006.

Cruising down the road to success

On a personal level, Jason and his wife, Kyla, recently celebrated the birth of their son. With a new baby and numerous volunteer activities such as a the Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan CAiCE user group committee, the Saskatchewan GPS user group committee, and the Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation Standards Practices Committee, one might think Jason has little time left for anything else. However, away from his professional and service commitments, Jason and Kyla enjoy spending time at their cabin at Prince Albert National Park. Jason has successfully obtained his black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do. He also manages to squeeze in some summertime golf, and has recently become a member of the Saskatoon Mustang club. “While I was growing up, I took a liking to the Ford Mustang. My first two cars were Mustangs. Once I finished university, I sold my Mustang in favour of a 4x4 truck, which was much more practical for field work. I always said that someday I would get another Mustang, and that time finally came this summer.” Jason now looks forward to summers cruising the highways he designs in his new 2006 Mustang GT.