MEET THE ATANA TEAM
GORDON SPARKS; PH.D., P.ENG., MCIP, CMC
FOUNDING PARTNER AND PRESIDENT
Dr. Gordon Sparks is the President of ATANA and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Civil & Geological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. Gordon was born and raised in rural Alberta, received a B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta, and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of California in Berkeley. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, and additionally is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Canadian Association of Management Consultants.
Gordon has over 40 years of experience in applied research and professional consulting in areas such as engineering economics, life cycle engineering and costing, transportation engineering, transportation planning, urban and regional planning, environmental risk management and decision analysis. He has worked with a wide variety of public and private sector clients at the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels. Gordon served a 15 year term (2000 - 2014), as a member of the Board of CAA – SK. Gordon was also the Founding Chairman of the Board of CETAC – West, which was formed in 1994, and he continues to serve on the Board. On weekends in the summer, you can find Gordon fishing and enjoying the scenery at their family cabin at Lac La Plonge.
PAUL CHRISTENSEN; M.A., PH.D.
FOUNDING PARTNER AND DIRECTOR OF DECISION SUPPORT
Dr. Paul Christensen is the Director of Decision Support for ATANA and a former Professional Affiliate in the Department of Civil and Geological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. Paul was raised in Nanaimo, BC, and has lived and worked in both Vancouver, BC, and Saskatoon, SK. He received Bachelor and Master Degrees in Economics from the University of British Columbia. Later in his career, he earned a Ph.D. through the Department of Civil and Geological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.
Paul has over 25 years of experience in professional consulting and practical research investigating and applying techniques such as cost-benefit analysis, life cycle engineering and costing, decision analysis and optimization to a wide variety of planning and investment issues of concern to clients. During his career, he has also had the privilege of sharing his knowledge and experience with others through professional and academic seminars, coursework, training sessions, workshops and a range of publications. Over the years, Paul has worked with a wide variety of public and private sector organizations at the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels. When not at his desk, Paul can be found hiking, running, skiing, snowshoeing, traveling or enjoying walks in local parks and neighbourhoods with his wife and dog.
Darian Brown, M.Sc.
Founding Partner and Director of Technical Services
Darian Brown is the Director of Technical Services for ATANA. Darian was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he received a B.Sc. in Honours Physics and a M.Sc. in the Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering. Darian joined VEMAX in 2010 and has worked on a number projects involving infrastructure asset management, transportation planning, decision analysis and cost-benefit analysis. In his spare time, Darian enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding and scuba diving.
LARRY SPARKS, PMP.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
ATANA’s resident Business Development & Project Manager (PMP). Larry is ATANA’s people person and he’s here to explore your project opportunity before bringing in the technical team. He’s got a real knack for it and a tenacious appetite to figure it out. We’re happy to have him on our team and we’re certain you will be too.
Having travelled a path from his roots in Saskatoon to the mountains of Golden BC, Larry has collected an incredible array of experiences and stories along the way. A passionate entrepreneur and self professed nerd who’s passion for cloud based collaborative, productivity & communication tools make a powerhouse combo to put to use in exploring new project and partnership opportunities no matter where you are. If you can’t find him in the office he’s likely out nurturing new ideas with his young family, riding his bike or getting after it on the Kicking Horse River!
