A senior manager and consultant, with extensive experience in sustainable development, environmental, infrastructure and property management. Forrest has been a project manager for large projects, supervised large staffs, managed controversial issues, organized and created events, conducted consultations, and developed a wide variety of strategic strategies, policies, systems and frameworks.

He has in-depth experience and knowledge of the sustainable development and environmental issues facing large organizations. This understanding comes from hands on experience with the issues having worked at the "site level" both as a user of the facilities/assets, and as a manager providing the services. He also has experience at the "regional level" and "national level" having served as a staff officer in Maritime Command (Halifax) and National Defence Headquarters (Ottawa). Further he has international experience having participated as a national representative in international forums, co-chaired several international working groups on environmental issues, and hosted and organized an NATO Pilot Study Meeting on Environmental Management Systems (EMS). These unique perspectives provide an understanding of what is involved, an appreciation of what is at stake, and a firm foundation for developing and generating unique and creative solutions.

Skilled at advocacy, he has been involved in the development of federal environmental policies, regulations, and legislation including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), the creation of the Commissioner for Environment, and The Greening of Government Operations. In addition, he has experience in reengineering and change management, public consultations, negotiations and mediation, training development and delivery, public speaking, employment equity, program and project management, budgeting, estimating and financial forecasting, and business planning.

Education

A graduate Chemical Engineer (Queen’s University BSc.1967) with extensive training and development in: Negotiation, Mediation, Community Conflict Resolution, Management, Leadership, The Consulting Process, and Communications. As an operative practice he undertakes a professional and personal development course, on average, every year for the last thirty years. A sampling of this training includes: Building Design for Energy Conservation, National Securities Studies Course, Senior Officers Symposium, Team Management and Leadership, Communication Access to Power, Communications Power and Performance, Train the Trainer, Community Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Principle Centered Negotiations, Employment Equity (Tip of the Iceberg), Advanced Field Operations, etc.

Work Experience

Selected Relevant Projects/Actions

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) for the Construction Engineering Section at CFB Esquimalt, and National Defence Headquarters.
• Pollution Prevention Manual for Fisheries and Oceans Complex at Pat Bay BC including environmental programs, a management framework, and audit protocols.
• Developed National Defence’s first Sustainable Development Strategy which was judged by the Auditor General to be the best in government. This project included consultations both internally and externally with aboriginal groups, and non-government organizations.
• Managed the controversial issue of removing over 1200 wild/feral horses, which were threatening a National Wildlife Area, from the Military Range at Suffield, Alberta.
• Developed and delivered Training and Awareness programs for senior manages, line managers, technical specialist, building operators, property managers etc.
• Managed projects for: land use, forestry, wildlife, solid waste, energy management, central heating plants, water conservation and contaminated lands.
• Audited Military Bases for Best Practices and Performance.
• Updated the Federal Building Initiative’s Request For Proposal (RFP) for Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), and initiated EPC in National Defence.
• Delivered for the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) "Energy Conservation" and "Life Cycle Costing" classes for their certification program.

Awards

• Royal Canadian Engineers Memorial Scholarship (University Scholarship)
• Canadian Forces Decoration (for service in the military)
• Charlotte Whitton Award (for voluntary leadership and contribution to the community)
• Canada 125 Confederation Medal (for contribution and efforts in the community)
• Deputy Minister’s Commendation (for best Sustainable Development Strategy in Gov’t)