GeoHeroes - Kent Bannister
About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-marcozzi-b12744a/) interviews Kent Bannister (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-bannister-846686121/) president and CEO of TREK Geotechnical. The discussion traces Bannister's life, starting with his childhood in Winnipeg and his early work experiences, such as his memorable stint at McDonald's and a job at the Royal Bank of Canada. The conversation explores his academic journey, leading to his career in geotechnical engineering and eventual leadership at TREK. Bannister also shares insights on the geotechnical profession, emphasizing risk management, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of technology. He offers career advice and discusses the challenges and opportunities within the field, reflecting on his own experiences and aspirations for the future of TREK Geotechnical.
Series Summary
In this podcast series Guy Marcozzi will interview past, present, and future leaders in the geoprofessional industry to explore their personal and career journeys. The goal is to understand what motivates these individuals and what insights they have for the future of the profession. The podcast will examine the skills and qualities that have contributed to their success, as well as their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
About Our Guest
Kent Bannister (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-bannister-846686121/) - Kent is the President and CEO of TREK Geotechnical Inc. (https://www.trekgeotechnical.ca/), a firm located in Winnipeg, Canada. Over the past 15 years, TREK has grown from a 3-person geotechnical engineering firm to a staff of over 65 employees offering geotechnical, water resources, and environmental engineering services along with a full-service materials testing laboratory. In addition to his corporate duties, Kent also acts as the geotechnical design lead or reviewer on a variety of projects including several large multi-million dollar infrastructure projects. Over the past 26 years Kent has worked on projects across Canada’s prairie provinces and northern Canada. He has been employed with TREK since 2012. Kent presently is a member of the board of directors of the GBA and the Canadian Foundation for Geotechnique. He has previously served on the executive committee and the board of directors of the Canadian Geotechnical Society.
Our Host
Guy Marcozzi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-marcozzi-b12744a/) – Guy Marcozzi is the current GBA president and an experienced CEO, President and Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the engineering, science and data technology industries and in leadership for various boards of ESOP, non-profit, professional and business organizations.
Discussion Topics:
Introduction (00:00)
Early Life and Education (00:00:51)
* Born in Calgary, Alberta, Kent moved frequently during his childhood attending six different schools by grade 10.
* Moving around a lot taught him to adapt to uncomfortable situations.
* He enjoyed math and physics in school but admits he didn't have much patience for history and English.
* Kent's first job was at McDonald's at age 15. He also worked at the Royal Bank of Canada.
Career Path (11:55)
* Kent gained valuable experience through summer internships at AMEC (now WSP).
* He began his career in consulting, working for KGS Group and AMEC in Winnipeg and Edmonton.
* He spent time in Fort McMurray, Alberta, working on oil sands tailings ponds.
* Later, Kent joined Manitoba Hydro, focusing on dam safety and geotechnical support for electrical transmission group.
* In 2012, Kent joined Trek Geotechnical.
Leadership and Challenges (16:50)
* Kent discusses the challenges of transitioning from a technical role to management.
* He highlights the significance of understanding and relating to people.
* As CEO, Kent is focused on strategic planning, geographical expansion, and becoming more forward-looking.
The Geoprof