Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak today presented the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals to Dirk Nyland, Grant Lachmuth and Sharlie Huffman, in recognition of their significant achievements and distinguished service to their fellow citizens.

Dirk Nyland - Nyland is the chief engineer who has been with the ministry for more than 30 years. While regional director in the North, he began a process of strategic renewal among staff, well before the process became popular in the human resources field. He implemented professional project management practices for the northwest region of B.C., which became standard across the ministry. He has led a number of efforts to improve and streamline engineering services in the ministry and to support the ministry's succession-planning process. Nyland sits on a number of provincial and national committees.

Grant Lachmuth - Before retiring this year, Lachmuth worked for the ministry for more than 35 years, providing his skills and expertise to a number of different program areas. He initiated changes to infrastructure to accommodate people with special mobility needs, and managed major projects including the William R. Bennett Bridge construction in Kelowna and the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project between Vancouver and Whistler. He represented B.C. on assignment with the Israeli National Roads Company and was a member of the Conference Board of Canada Council for Leadership Insights.

Sharlie Huffman - Huffman is a senior bridge engineer with the ministry, in the field of seismic bridge design and structural health monitoring. She has been an advocate for this field provincially, nationally and internationally, and has been a professional and technical mentor of numerous young engineers in training. Huffman sits on a number of provincial and national engineering associations and committees and has received awards for her contributions to the engineering profession.

Medal recipients have made a significant contribution to a province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Like Her Majesty, those recognized have dedicated themselves to service their fellow citizens, communities and country.

Quote:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"These three recipients of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals are well deserving of this honour. They represent the best of B.C.'s public service and have all made significant contributions to their profession, the ministry, and to the citizens of British Columbia."

Quick Facts:

• This commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne.

• The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country.

• During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians from across the country will be recognized.

• The government of B.C. is presenting approximately 760 medals.

• All MLAs and ministers have been involved in awarding the medals, ensuring they reach as many deserving people in the province as possible.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Queen's Diamond Jubilee visit: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14019&lan=eng

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241