Past-Presidents

APEGA has existed for almost 100 years, and for every year of its existence, there has been a president of Council to uphold the pillars that APEGA stands for: integrity, accountability, innovation, and service. Through the decades of change and growth, the men and women listed below led APEGA’s Council.

They have worked across the globe, from Mississippi to Venezuela, but all settled their talents here in Alberta. Each came from different walks of life, from serving in the Second World War, to teaching aeronautics, to instigating first-time overseas ventures. This incredible group made its mark on the world and on APEGA.

All of these outstanding people helped make APEGA what it is today, and all were thanked for their service with an Honorary Life Membership award—a framed medallion memento—inducting them as life members of APEGA.

1927: William J. Cunningham, P.Eng.

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Born in Altrincham, England, William Cunningham was first employed by the Altrincham Electrical Company and later attended the University of Manchester's College of Technology.

In 1907 he emigrated to North America, living in the U.S. and Quebec before settling in Calgary. There he worked for the city power plant and was promoted several times before being appointed assistant superintendent in 1915. Shortly after, he left for England to inspect and fit naval and field guns for the Royal Arsenal during the First World War. On his return, Cunningham was appointed superintendent of the Edmonton power plant, and in 1925 was given the additional duties of heading of the city's street railway department.

Cunningham served on the Association of Professional Engineers of Alberta (APEA; now The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta) council a total of six years, was elected vice-president in 1926 and president in 1927. He was also a member of the Engineering Institute of Canada.

Cunningham was an integral part of the development and expansion of Edmonton's power and railway services. He was superintendent of both departments when he passed away suddenly in 1934.