Brian Howe, President
BASc, MEng, MBA, PEng

As President of HGC Engineering, Brian combines a wealth of engineering experience with a keen business understanding. In addition to his role as president, he is active in the field with a particular emphasis on mechanical, structural, and ground borne vibration.

Brian is a leader in the assessment of noise from wind power projects. He speaks frequently at Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) Symposiums, as well as other major international conferences. Brian is an ongoing contributor to knowledge in the field having prepared a "best practices" guide for CanWEA in 2007 and provided input on the assessment methods contained in the Ontario Green Energy and Green Economy Act (2009). Brian is the Chairman of the CSA Technical Subcommittee on Acoustic Noise Measurements of Wind Turbines.

Bill Gastmeier, Principal Engineer
BSc, MASc, PEng

After obtaining degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Bill has spent over 30 years practicing in acoustics noise and vibration. He is an adjunct professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo, lectures at Dalhousie University in Halifax, and has often provided expert witness testimony.

Dr. Brian Chapnik, Principal Engineer
BASc, MASc, PhD, PEng

Brian obtained a Master's degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto for work in structural acoustic coupling with applications for active noise control in piping systems. He maintains strong skills in analysis and modeling.

Rob Stevens, Principal Engineer
BASc, MASc, PEng

Rob is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He has conducted research into low frequency noise control, has developed applications for acoustical numerical methods to solve a variety of noise problems and is expert in the use of sound intensity measurements to accurately determine radiated sound power.

Alex Lorimer, Senior Engineer
MEng, PEng

Alex Lorimer received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now Dalhousie University’s Dal-Tech) and Master’s degree in engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa.  His master’s degree focused on the acoustics of mufflers.  Mr. Lorimer has extensive experience in the areas of product sound quality, machinery noise and vibration, construction vibration assessments, building services noise, vibration, and acoustics, as well as environmental noise impact assessments, including the development of relevant noise controls.

Nick McCabe, Senior Engineer
BASc, MESc, PEng

Nick McCabe received a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and his Master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario. Mr. McCabe is a Senior Engineer and Associate of HGC Engineering, and has extensive experience in the analysis and modeling of environmental noise for wind turbines and industrial/commercial facilities, building acoustics, structural vibration, machinery noise and vibration, and construction vibration assessments.

Sheeba Paul, Senior Engineer
MEng, PEng

Sheeba obtained both her Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Guelph. Ms. Paul is a Senior Engineer and Associate of HGC Engineering focusing on the impact of noise and vibration on land use planning. Her expertise lies in assessing noise from transportation sources inclulding railway, roadway, and air traffic, as well as noise from stationary sources. She also frequently monitors vibration from trains, light rail transit (LRT), and street cars. Her project experience includes addressing environmental noise and vibration issues for residential subdivisions, high and low-rise towers, and commercial developments throughout Southern Ontario.

In addition to measurement and analysis, Sheeba has also designed noise barriers to reduce the impact of transportation and stationary noise sources on residential and commercial development.

Corey Kinart, Senior Engineer
BASc, PEng

Corey is an Associate of HGC Engineering and specializes in the use of sound intensity equipment and techniques to address industrial noise. He has conducted feasibility studies, acoustic assessments and audits for government approvals, and noise complaint investigation for dozens of facilities across Ontario and abroad. His experience is highlighted by pits, quarries, mines, hot mix facilities, ready mix plants, natural gas power plants / distribution and transmission facilities, transformer stations, and other industrial facilities.

Corey provides advice on environmental noise to a number of industry associations. He currently sits on the environmental committees of the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA), the Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association (OHMPA), and the Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO).

Ian Bonsma, Intermediate Engineer
BASc, PEng

Ian is an Associate of HGC Engineering and has broad experience in structural vibration, environmental and industrial noise, and architectural acoustics. He has conducted acoustic measurements and analysis for a wide range of facilities throughout North America. Ian has also addressed the impact of building vibration on sensitive equipment for medical and industrial applications.

More recently, Ian’s work has focused on renewable energy including applying Ontario’s new Renewable Energy Act. He has conducted Acoustic Assessments, Acoustic Audits, and complaint investigations for solar and wind power generating facilities. Ian has co-authored a paper on the role of ambient noise monitoring in the assessment of wind farms which was presented at the 2009 Canadian Acoustical Association Conference.