On The Brink Podcast | Albert Koehler | Episode 9

Dr. Albert Koehler’s journey from a small village in Northern Europe to Prince George in Central British Columbia has been interesting, challenging, enriching and also very rewarding.

Dr. Albert Koehler was born in Bremen, Germany and grew up on a farm on the outskirts of the city. After graduating from high school, he learned the trade of “Mechanic for Agricultural and Forestry Equipment” and worked for a time as a licensed mechanic. Later he studied Mechanical Engineering, first in Cologne and then at the Technical University of Aachen.

After graduation with a Masters Degree he accepted a 6-year employment contract as Assistant Professor with a Research Institute at the Technical University of Aachen and received his PhD in 1981. Thereafter he was manager of “Reliability and Applications” with a large corporation in Duesseldorf.

Beginning of 2004, Albert sold part of his Consulting Engineering business and invested in real estate in Prince George. At that time he was elected as a board member to various organizations in the Prince George community, including the Chamber of Commerce and became the president of the Chamber in 2008.

In 2010, Albert founded the “Northern Technology & Engineering Society of BC” and subsequently became its President (www.ntes.ca). Thanks to the society’s lobbying activities the Prince George, postsecondary institutions are starting up with new technology and engineering programs with a recent student intake at the University of Northern British Columbia

Over the years, Albert has served on the following boards since immigrating to Canada in

1985: 2020 to MCC Legacy Trust Director

2011 to 2018 Councillor of the City of Prince George

2014 to 2018 Director, Regional District Fraser Fort George

2012 to 2014 Board Member of the “Spirit of the North Health Care Foundation”

2011 to 2017 Board Member of OBAC (Omineca Beetle Action Coalition)

2010 to 2018 Past President and founder of the Northern Technology & Engineering Society of BC

2010 to 2014 Board member of Community Futures, Fraser Fort George 2010 to 2012 Member of the Barkerville Heritage Trust Advisory Committee

2010 to 2011 President of the Yellowhead Rotary Club of Prince George

2009 to 2012 Board member of the Prince George Symphony

2009 to 2010 Member of the UNBC Engineering Advisory Council

2009 to 2010 Member of the CNC Engineering Steering Committee

2008 to 2010 Board Member and member of the Executive of Resources North Association

2008 to 2010 Chair of ATEEC (Applied Technical and Engineering Education Consortium)

2008 to 2009 President of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce

2007 to 2008 Vice President of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce

2006 to 2010 Director of the Yellowhead Rotary Club of Prince George

2005 to 2013 Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany

2002 to 2007 Member of the UBC and UNBC Board of Studies

2002 to 2003 Chair of the Prince George Chapter of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC

1999, 2001 & 2003 Director of the Prince George Chapter of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC

1991 to 1992 Chair of the Society of Tribologists, Vancouver Chapter

1991 to 1992 Vice President of the German Canadian Congress, Canada

1990 to 1991 President of the German Canadian Congress, British Columbia

1988 to 2003 Board member of the German Cultural Center Foundation, Vancouver, BC

1985 to 1990 Director of the German Canadian Congress, British Columbia

During this time and earlier I have received the following honors and awards:
2019 Prince George Business Person of the Year
2010 Community Leader Award by Resources North Association: Award for dedication and excellent Service to the Association
2009 Immigrant Multicultural Services Society: Community Service Award for outstanding service to the community
2008 APEEG, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists: Community Service Award, Recognizing outstanding service to the betterment of the Prince George Community
2004 Rotary Clubs of Canada: Service Award for Professional Excellence
1995 Federal Business Development Bank: Business Excellence Award
1992 Federal Business Development Bank: Business Excellence Award
1991 Federal Business Development Bank: Business Excellence Award
1992 Society of Tribologists, Vancouver Chapter: Outstanding Service Award for Service as Chapter Chair
1991 National Research Council of Canada: Award in Recognition and Appreciation of Distinguished Service
1982 Technical University of Aachen: Borcher’s Plaque (highest recognition in its class) for “Outstanding Achievements in Research”

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