Engineering Excellence Gala easel, showcasing some of the evening’s winners of the 2026 Engineers Nova Scotia Awards. From top to bottom, left to right: F.H. Sexton Gold Medal Award Winner Robbie Fraser, Citizenship Award Winners John F. Meisner and Mila MacLean, and Engineering Award Winners Barret Kurylyk and Wade Pottie.
The association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia held its annual awards gala on October 22nd at the Sandman Hotel in Dartmouth Crossing. Harbourside Engineering attended in full force to celebrate not one, but TWO award recipients this year. As table sponsor, our partnership team arrived looking their absolute best to cheer on two of our own: Partner Wade Pottie, and co-founding partner, Robbie Fraser.
Wade Pottie was the recipient of the 2026 Engineering Award for his distinguished work in the profession of engineering. One week prior, he was present at the Canadian Consulting Engineer Awards for his work on the Etobicoke Rail bridge replacement and Modular Gantry Design. Since 2011, Wade’s career has been one marked by legacy defining projects and overcoming complexities through creative design solutions. His attention to detail, and dedication to his craft were recognized by the awards committee.
The F.H. Sexton Gold Medal was awarded to Robbie Fraser in recognition of his achievements and impressive contributions to the field of engineering throughout his illustrious career. The F.H. Sexton Gold Medal is the highest honour that Engineers Nova Scotia can bestow. This also marks the third occasion where Robbie has been recognized by APENS. The first was in 2007 with the Young Engineers Award, and the second was in 2011 with the Engineering Award (which Wade received that very evening).
Attendees were welcomed with a lovely assortment of festive “Halloween” treats at the Gala’s candy bar. Engineers mingled and enjoyed the reception’s jovial atmosphere prior to dinner. The ceremony itself prefaced each recipient’s award with a list of their many accomplishments before inviting them to say a few words on stage for the expectant crowd.
Multiple awards were handed out throughout the evening, showcasing a diverse array of extraordinary engineering talent. Their accomplishments spanned nearly every sector of the profession. We would like to congratulate each of these for their hard work, and their contributions that earned them this prestigious recognition.
Award Recipients:
F.H. Sexton Gold Medal
· Robbie Fraser, M.Sc., P.Eng., Harbourside Engineering Group
Engineering Award
· Dr. Barret Kurylyk, P.Eng. Dalhousie University, Geological Society of America
· Wade Pottie, P.E., P.Eng. Harbourside Engineering Group
Citizenship Award
· John Meisner, P.Eng.
· Mila MacLean P. Eng. IMP Aerospace & Defence
S.L. Devereaux Award for the Advancement of Women in the Engineering Profession
· Andrea Doncaster, P.Eng. Andrea Doncaster Engineering Ltd.
· Patricia Duncan, P.Eng. HRM
L.A. White Young Engineer Award
· Jade Farr, P.Eng. Lockheed Martin
· Kirk Herman, P.Eng, CEM, LEED AP. Eastpoint