The faces of Nor-Alta
Meet The Team
Jim brings over 35 years of experience to his role as Co-President of Nor-Alta. He grew up on a farm in Stettler, Alberta and went on to graduate from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1987. Jim began his career as a Technical Representative at Enviro-Test Laboratories. Jim went on to manage operations at Zell Oilfield Services before taking the helm at Nor-Alta in 1998. He has a deep understanding of environmental, air, and waste management and oversees these key departments within the company.
He is a longstanding member of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association, the Environmental Services Association of Alberta, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association, actively contributing to environmental progress within the industry. His commitment extends beyond these organizations, with Jim actively contributing his expertise to the Resource Industry Supplier Association from 2015 to 2019.
Jim’s passion for environmental stewardship and his dedication to client satisfaction are matched only by his love for camping, horses and creating culinary delights with his wife.
Sammy is a co-founder of Nor-Alta and a passionate advocate for sustainable solutions that benefit both nature and society. With over 25 years of experience in environmental science, he has dedicated his career to making a positive impact through research, analysis, and innovative problem-solving. Sammy holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry, as well as an after-degree in Environmental Science with a specialization in Land Reclamation from the University of Alberta. He is a registered member of several professional organizations, including the Alberta Institute of Agrology, the Alberta Association of Professional Biologists, and the College of Applied Biologists in British Columbia. Additionally, Sammy is a Registered Environmental Professional (Site Assessment and Reclamation) with ECO Canada and a Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist.
Beyond his technical expertise, Sammy is deeply committed to environmental advocacy and community engagement. He actively participates in outreach programs, educational mentoring initiatives, and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire action.
Tony Sun, Nor-Alta’s Vice President Finance, brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. A University of Alberta graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce, Tony joined Nor-Alta in 2014 and obtained his CPA designation in 2020.
Tony is instrumental in ensuring Nor-Alta’s financial health. He oversees financial reporting, maintains compliance with ASPE standards, and drives strategic financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting. His expertise is essential to our continued growth and stability.
When Tony isn’t immersed in numbers, he enjoys exploring the world through his camera lens and discovering Edmonton’s culinary gems.
Nathan is Nor-Alta’s Vice President Major Projects with 16 years of experience in the industry. During the summers of 2006 and 2007, he conducted hundreds of confined space entries on petroleum storage tanks at various airports and oil terminals throughout Western Canada, including the Arctic Circle. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, majoring in Land Reclamation from the University of Alberta. He also has a Diploma in Biological Sciences Technology with a focus on Renewable Resources from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
His work history includes positions such as Environmental Scientist Summer Student at WorleyParsons Komex in 2008 and Environmental Scientist at Nor-Alta from 2009 to 2014. Since 2014, Nathan has served as a Senior Project Manager and Environmental Scientist at Nor-Alta.
Nathan’s career highlights include achieving a P. Ag. designation with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists in 2012, a P. Biol. designation with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists in 2018 and a P. Ag. designation with the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists in 2021. Outside of work, Nathan is married and has twin daughters. He plays ice hockey year-round on two teams and enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Liana Phoenix, Director of Growth and Development, has over 17 years of experience in the environmental sector. Her background includes work in heavy equipment, water treatment solutions, waste management, laboratory services, and consulting, which has provided her with a broad base of practical knowledge and expertise.
She is recognized for her exceptional talent in driving business growth, demonstrating strategic vision and innovative problem-solving skills that consistently propel organizations forward. Her passion for the environmental industry is matched by her love for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping, paddleboarding, and gardening.
In addition to her professional achievements, Liana finds fulfillment in her role as a mother to four children, managing the demands of her career and family life with grace and determination. With Liana leading the way, Nor-Alta is well-positioned for sustainable growth and impactful development in the environmental sector.
Alvin is responsible for operations, staff work assignments, and KPI reporting for all Nor-Alta projects. He also oversees his own client portfolio as the lead contract liaison, strategic planner, and Project Manager. Alvin has been with Nor-Alta Environmental Services Ltd. for 10 years and has successfully procured and managed several large- and small-scale environmental projects in all sectors of the Oil and Gas industry during his tenure.
Alvin is a key contact for standard operating procedure development and employee company integration, and aided in the development of Nor-Alta’s Quality Assurance and Quality Control program that is inclusive of and compliant to ISO 9001 (QMS) and ISO 14001 (EMS) objectives.
Alvin holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Earth & Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Alberta and also holds his Professional Biologist (P.Biol.) designation from the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists. Prior to his time at Nor-Alta Environmental Services Ltd., Alvin worked at KaizenLAB where he held the job of Laboratory Analyst, gaining expertise in multiple soil, surface water, and groundwater testing methodologies.
In his spare time, you can catch Alvin playing the game of soccer. He is a dedicated player and fan of the game,participating in well-recognized City of Edmonton tournaments and events. Most notably, he has been representing his heritage by playing for the country of Fiji in the City of Edmonton’s Mini World Cup and Heritage Cup soccer tournaments.
Craig manages and coordinates our technical personnel, oversees work allocation, and manages the company’s daily operations. He is also responsible for implementing and administering operational procedures, employee training, and corporate policies.
He graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences (Land Reclamation) in 1999. During his studies, he worked as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Introductory Soil Science and continued as a Research Associate after graduation. Since joining Nor-Alta in 2003, Craig has been involved in technical work and project management in Drilling Waste Management, Reclamation, and Remediation. He is an active member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists, the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists, the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, and the Agricultural Institute of Canada.
Splitting his time between Edmonton and Bragg Creek, Craig enjoys hiking, hockey, and curling. During the pandemic, he dedicated time to bread-making but has since retired from that endeavour.
Brett has 29 years of experience in civil earthworks and construction management. He has extensive knowledge in grade design and execution for major earthwork projects across the energy and civil sectors. His expertise also includes geotechnical and environmental drilling, with an emphasis on HDD geotechnical practices.
He has made significant contributions throughout his career, including his role in the Fletcher Challenge Energy McKee Onshore Plant Construction Program in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. In addition to his technical skills, Brett is a passionate advocate for the inclusion and representation of First Nations people in the oil and gas sector.
Brett enjoys spending time outdoors, whether fishing, travelling or simply enjoying nature. A skilled cook, he takes pleasure in creating delicious meals. Family is a central part of Brett’s life, and he cherishes the time he spends with his loved ones, especially during his annual month-long visit to Noosa Heads, Australia.
Brett’s educational background includes a one-year continuing education program in Environmental Sciences at the University of Calgary, complemented by a lifetime of learning and on-the-ground experience.
Cindy is Director, Reclamation and Restoration at Nor-Alta. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in 1996. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role. Cindy spent 17 years as an environmental consultant in the oil and gas industry, working for a mid-size oil and gas company as the Construction and Reclamation Coordinator across western Canada.
Transitioning her skills, Cindy then spent ten years as the Regulatory, Permitting, and Approvals Coordinator for a construction company focused on building transmission and distribution powerlines across Canada. Cindy rejoined Nor-Alta in October 2022 and currently contributes her expertise to reclamation and remediation projects. She is an active member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists and the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists.
Rose is a highly experienced Controller who brings over 30 years of experience to Nor-Alta. Since joining the team in 2001, she has been instrumental in the company’s financial operations. Rose is responsible for managing all aspects of payables and receivables, preparing key financial documents, and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting. She is exceptionally skilled in using spreadsheets to streamline financial processes.
Rose honed her accounting skills in both public practice and private industry, gaining a comprehensive understanding of diverse accounting needs. She is a Certified General Accountant (CGA) and earned her designation in 1990 after graduating from NAIT in Edmonton, Alberta.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Rose enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Tyler graduated from Olds College in 2001 with a diploma in Land Resource Management, Soil and Water Conservation. He then completed the Bachelor of Applied Environmental Management Program at Lakeland College, where he also did an eight-month practicum with Nor-Alta. Tyler joined Nor-Alta full-time after graduation and quickly became one of the company’s primary field personnel. He currently serves as a project manager, overseeing project management, field personnel supervision, data analysis, and project reporting coordination.
Tyler has been working in the industry since 2003. He comes from a grain farming background and is a member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists. In his free time, Tyler enjoys fishing, gardening, and travelling.
Buddy has accumulated over ten years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He began by overseeing vegetation management and control projects in Alberta and the Northwest Territories with Ace Vegetation before joining Nor-Alta in 2013. Starting in the field, he later managed the application and reporting process for TDLs (Temporary Diversion Licences). He now oversees a diverse portfolio of clients specializing in drilling waste management projects in Alberta. Buddy earned his Bachelor of Science from King’s University in 2012 and applies his interdisciplinary education daily in the industry. He remains active in training new staff, overseeing sensitive projects, and engaging with clients in the province.
Outside of work, Buddy is deeply involved in the soccer community, playing on various teams in Edmonton and coaching club teams with St. Albert Impact. He also enjoys exploring Alberta’s backcountry through summer backpacking trips with family and friends.
Zhong holds a Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering from Nanjing University of Technology (2004) and a Bachelor of Applied Chemistry from Jinan University (1999). Joining Nor-Alta Environmental Services in 2011 as an Environmental Scientist, her expertise includes environmental regulations, soil/water characterization, contaminants pathway investigation, and mitigation strategies. Zhong’s consulting projects have covered a wide range of environmental issues, including due diligence Environmental Site Assessments, Soil Monitoring / Management Programs, Groundwater Monitoring Programs, Risk Management Plans, reclamation Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, spill investigations, and remediation projects. Zhong is an active member with Alberta Professional Chemist Association and ECO Canada.
Outside of work, Zhong delights in gardening, and especially enjoys collecting different varieties of plants. Her garden includes assorted species of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and tomatoes, her true passion.
Kelvin is a highly qualified Environmental Scientist with a passion for ecological integrity. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Alberta and is a Professional Biologist with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists. His expertise is further enhanced by his Wetlands Authenticating Professional (AP) and Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist (QAES) designations.
At Nor-Alta, Kelvin contributes to project management, reporting, and fieldwork within the Environmental Planning, Drilling Waste Management, and Remediation/Reclamation departments. His areas of specialization include wildlife management and mitigation, water quality monitoring and aquatic assessments, and wetland identification, classification, and delineation.
Outside of work, Kelvin enjoys an active lifestyle. He’s an avid soccer and tennis player, often found on the field or court with his twin brother, Alvin.
Katie brings a unique perspective to Nor-Alta, having joined the team in 2018 after contributing to dairy cattle research. She graduated from the University of Alberta and earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Beyond her professional life, Katie enjoys a well-rounded lifestyle. She loves to travel and experience new cultures, cherishes her friendships, and has a deep love for animals.
Brett is an Environmental Scientist at Nor-Alta, where he leads environmental assessments for wellsite reclamation and remediation projects. He is passionate about promoting responsible environmental practices in the energy sector. Since joining the team in 2017, Brett has worked on a diverse range of projects, utilizing his expertise in both fieldwork and office settings.
He has a strong background, gaining valuable experience from Tervita Corporation, where he specialized in spill response and chemical handling. Brett earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Earth and Atmospheric Science from the University of Alberta. In addition, he actively participates in the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.
Outside of his work, Brett enjoys an active lifestyle. He often engages in hobbies such as hockey, gardening, and tinkering with mechanical projects. Brett also has a passion for cooking and is currently on a quest to create the perfect plum sauce.
Danielle is an Environmental Scientist with a passion for protecting our natural world. Since graduating from the University of Alberta in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology, she has been actively involved in a variety of environmental projects. Her expertise includes reclamation, remediation, and environmental planning, and she plays a key role in conducting field work, preparing reports, and coordinating peer reviews.
Before joining Nor-Alta, Danielle gained valuable experience working on the North Saskatchewan River Tributary Project at the University of Alberta, where she focused on collecting water and benthic invertebrate samples. She also volunteers with the Conservation Land Stewardship program through the Edmonton and Area Land Trust and actively promotes sustainability practices within her community.
Danielle is a Biologist-in-Training with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists and is working towards achieving her professional designation.
When she’s not working, Danielle enjoys exploring the great outdoors, hiking in the mountains, and getting lost in a good fantasy novel. She also has a unique hobby – curating an impressive collection of insects!
