Tim Banic
Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Give us a brief overview of your role.
As the Environmental Health and Safety Manager at GSI, I ensure the safety of our team members, whether working in the office, at home, or on a job site. I also ensure that the company meets the requirements of federal, provincial and state safety regulations and work with the Joint Health and Safety Committee to ensure safety.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
Visiting the LWEC site in Michigan for the first time was very memorable. Meeting the people there and seeing the site itself was an amazing experience overall, and I am looking forward to going back.
What led you to pursue a career in Health and Safety, and what are some of the key things you have learned since working in the renewable energy sector?
I got involved in Health and Safety over 20 years ago. My experience started when there was a problem at a company I was working at, and they needed somebody to fix some health & safety problems. I was experienced in implementing quality procedures and there was a good connection between the jobs, so I was in! Since then, I have gained a lot of experience in different industries, including construction and manufacturing. I have learned in the renewable energy industry is that although there is a lot of work with electricity, there is also construction standards that need to be met and manufacturing on the O&M side of GSI.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
Some of my colleagues already know, but I make leather goods out of old baseball gloves. I repurpose them into wallets in efforts to keep them from going to waste and out of landfills.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy going golfing and a good dad joke!
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
Two bucket list items of mine would be to travel to the east coast of Canada and travel to have a clear view of the Northern Lights.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Toy Story, Cars, High School Musical
- Book: Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
- Musician: Billy Joel and Queen (*The list is too long so these are honorable mentions*)
- Restaurant (City): Le Cellier Steakhouse (EPCOT in Disney World – Orlando)
- Food: Steak
- Sports Team: Montreal Canadiens
- City: The next one I visit!
Raquel Reyes
Project Developer
Give us a brief overview of your role.
As a Project Developer at GSI, my role essentially revolves around project execution. This includes everything from working with GIS and land acquisition for project origination, to working with environmental consultants, engineers, and real-estate consultants in order to reach project NTP (notice to proceed). The final stage involves handing it over to the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor which would then turn to obtaining building permits.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
I’ve always enjoyed the annual Christmas dinners with GSI. Since everyone works remote and we’re located in different locations, it’s nice to come together and see everybody face to face at these events. It is also a great opportunity to interact with other individuals in different departments of the organization that you don’t interact with all the time.
What led you to pursue a career in Project Development in the renewable energy sector?
I began in 2019 as a Cooperative Education student for Saturn Power. I applied to 35 jobs, and only had one interview – so I kept saying “one interview, one job” and that ended up being this job! At the time, I wanted to be a conservationist or an environmental consultant, so I thought a job in the renewables would be a great opportunity to get started and for networking. I began in project coordination and ended up enjoying problem solving for project development. As a consultant, you only see one piece of the project, but as a project manager or a project developer, I get to see the whole picture.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
During my entire time at university, I was a member of the Cuban salsa club. I was actually a salsa instructor for level one and level two students, and I was the President at one point. I made choreographies and even had the opportunity to choreograph a cultural caravan performance at the University of Waterloo. I still really enjoy dancing to this day!
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to spend time with my 3-year-old son, Isaac. He is my everything. Outside of parenting, I like to read, paint, sketch, draw, and touch up on my art skills. I also still enjoy dancing at home whenever I can.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
I would love to go whale watching in British Columbia in the immediate future. In the long term, I would love to do something significant in Nicaragua, where I am from, and help the environment while employing the local citizens of Nicaragua. One day I will mustard up the courage and become my own boss.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Prince of Egypt or Shrek 1 (in Spanish)
- Book: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Musician: Esteman or Kali Uchis
- Restaurant (City): The Guanaquita Restaurant (Kitchener)
- Food: Carne Asada (traditional Nicaraguan meal)
- Sports Team: Real Madrid
- City: Cancun, Mexico
Jan LaFave
Senior Accountant and Human Resources
Give us a brief overview of your role.
As Senior Accountant and Human Resources for L’Anse Warden Electric Company (LWEC) under GSI, I am responsible for the day-to-day accounting tasks. I also assist with the month end, and annual audits for GSI. Lastly, I work with anything HR related for LWEC, including payroll, benefits, and onboarding.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
Every year, LWEC gives out a scholarship to a local high school student who will be attending college in an engineering-related field or attending a trade school. It is always something that has been memorable for me. It is really gratifying when the student receives their scholarship, and you see them excited about their future and you feel like you are helping them to achieve their goals.
What led you to pursue a career in Accounting and Human Resources, and more specifically in the energy sector?
After college, I took some accounting courses on the side and then I did some accounting work as a civilian for the United States Air Force. After that, I moved away from where I was living, and this job opened up at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had enjoyed working in accounting and the classes I took so this gave me the opportunity to get back into it. LWEC is located in a very rural area, so jobs of this caliber aren’t exactly something you find every day. I just took the chance and went for it and that it was in the energy sector has been a bonus.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
Prior to working here, I taught middle school and high school math, and I was also a middle school basketball coach. I actually got to teach and coach three of my own children as part of that experience!
How do you spend your time outside of work?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. We have five kids which are all involved, so we’re attending sporting events both for our kids and others. We enjoy time at the lake and boating in the summer and we like to go snow shoeing in the winter. I also really enjoy reading when I can.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
One thing I’d like to cross off my bucket list is to tour Italy. I would like to spend a month or so there and tour the different parts of the country. My heritage is Italian, and one set of my grandparents came from Northern Italy and one set came from Sicily, so I’d love to spend some time in those two regions.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Pretty Woman
- Musician: Garth Brooks
- Restaurant (City): Bowdie’s Chophouse or Rose’s (East Grand Rapids)
- Food: Any Italian Food – especially homemade Ravioli
- Sports Team: Michigan Tech Hockey
- City: Grand Rapids
Waqas Ali
Assistant Manager of Operations and Maintenance
Give us a brief overview of your role.
As Assistant Manager of Operations and Maintenance (O&M), I oversee the continuous monitoring of our solar plant performance. My responsibilities extend to analyzing performance data for trends and inefficiencies, implementing preventive maintenance schedules, and managing repairs for equipment failures. I diagnose technical problems, collaborate with O&M contractor technicians and engineers for timely resolutions, and implement strategies to enhance plant efficiency. Additionally, I meticulously monitor the O&M budget, ensuring cost-effective operations while maintaining optimal performance levels.
What is the most memorable moment you have had working for GSI?
One of the most memorable moments I’ve had working at GSI was when I received a delightful fruit basket to celebrate my Canadian citizenship. It was a heartwarming gesture that truly showcased GSI’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating significant milestones in their employees’ lives. Such thoughtful gestures not only highlight GSI’s appreciation for their staff but also foster a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie within the workplace.
What led you to pursue a career in project Operations and Maintenance, and more specifically in the renewables sector?
My interest in O&M in the renewables sector began with a strong passion for environmental sustainability. While studying Industrial Engineering & Management in Pakistan, I became fascinated by the potential of renewable energy technologies to combat climate change and offer sustainable power solutions. My first role in Canada was at Grasshopper Energy, working as a field service specialist, specializing in solar fields. The practical experience I gained in troubleshooting and maintaining solar installations was extremely fulfilling, confirming my passion for this field. Joining GSI and working in O&M enables me to merge my technical skills with a desire to effect positive change and create a lasting impact in the world.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know.
One interesting fact about myself that my colleagues might not know is that I’m a self-taught mechanic. From changing the oil and swapping out filters to diagnosing and fixing small issues, I find real joy in keeping my vehicle running smoothly. Not only does this approach save me money, but it also helps me learn new skills and gain a deeper understanding of how cars work.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Balancing life with my 1-and-a-half-year-old daughter keeps me occupied, so my current hobby revolves around spending time outdoors with her, hiking and biking. It is precious time spent bonding and making memories. Gardening has also become a passion of mine; there’s something incredibly satisfying about growing your own plants and vegetables. I also enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, whether we’re having a barbecue in the backyard or exploring new places.
What is one thing you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
Visiting the pyramids in Egypt, particularly the Pyramids of Giza, is a bucket-list experience with their historical, cultural, and architectural significance. The precision and scale of the pyramids’ construction are astounding to me, given the tools and technology available at the time.
Rapid Fire Favorites
- Movie: Divergent
- Musician: Atif Aslam
- Restaurant (City): Royal Ice & Spice (Karachi)
- Food: Biryani
- Sports Team: Pakistan Cricket Team
- City: Makkah (Saudia)