We’re thrilled to spotlight one of our talented team members, Kristian Storgard, who recently achieved his Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation—a significant professional milestone that reflects years of dedication, growth, and technical expertise. We sat down with Kristian to learn more about his journey, and what this milestone means for his role at Focal Engineering.
Earning a P.Eng. designation is a big milestone. What were some of the key challenges or learning moments you experienced along the way?
“Many challenges and learning moments along the way!” Kristian shared. “I think a key one is that clients, other consultants, and energy modellers are all human—we can all make mistakes. But the important thing is owning my mistakes and finding a way to mitigate them without compromising quality, timelines, or budgets.” It’s a humble and professional outlook that speaks volumes about Kristian’s approach to teamwork and accountability.
How does achieving your P.Eng. status influence your work as an energy modeller at Focal Engineering?
“I think it will give me more confidence and autonomy in my approach to projects,” said Kristian. “I’ll now be applying my own seal in projects, and as such I’ll be taking responsibility for the work.”
What initially drew you to the field of energy modelling, and how has your interest evolved over time?
“I was drawn to energy modelling as a way to leverage my technical knowledge in the field of sustainability,” Kristian explained. “Over time, I’ve developed an appreciation for using energy modelling to add value to projects—either by accessing capital incentives for projects or supporting value engineering.”
What project or achievement in your career with Focal are you most proud of so far?
“I’ve worked on many exciting projects during my time with Focal,” said Kristian, “but most of all, I take pride in providing value to our clients—through incentive applications, energy savings, and delivering a high-quality service.”
What advice would you give to other engineers in training who are considering pursuing their P.Eng. designation?
“It’s important to be sure you’re ready to take the next step,” Kristian advised. “P.Eng. designation comes with a new level of responsibility, and so I wouldn’t recommend rushing into it.”
When you’re not immersed in energy models and simulations, how do you like to spend your time outside of work?
When the energy models and simulations are done for the day, Kristian enjoys a healthy balance of outdoor and recreational activities. “Either gardening, walking and training my dog, or playing in a local sports league in the Comox Valley,” Kristian shared.
We’re proud to celebrate this important professional milestone for Kristian, and we look forward to the continued value he brings to Focal and our project work.
“Kristian has been a delight to work with since Day 1, bringing an eagerness explore new areas, improve project efficiency, and bring value to every project that he works on. He’s a key member of the Focal team, and we are excited to see him take on a greater role at Focal.”
– Susan MacDougall, Principal
