Instructor Bios
RRC Polytech’s industry experienced instructors are committed to providing students with up-to-date training and skills they need to succeed in their careers.
Rick Carvalho
Rick Carvalho is an Instructor in the Piping Trades Department at Red River Polytech. Rick started at RRC Polytech in 2009 as an Educational Assistant / Shop Supervisor. Rick has taught classes in Apprenticeship Steam fitting, Blueprint Reading, Cross Connection Control, Low Pressure Steam and all four Levels of Apprenticeship Plumbing since 2011.
Rick is a Certified Red Seal Journeyperson Plumber (RSE), Certified Red Seal Journeyperson Steam Fitter (RSE), and a Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist Instructor. Rick is also provincially certified in Adult Education (CAE).
When not teaching in the classroom, Rick spends his time working on the development and upkeep of the Piping Trades Learn shells, creating content for courses and developing/designing practical projects for the Piping Trades Lab.
Prior to working at RRC Rick worked in the commercial and industrial sectors of the Plumbing and Steam fitting trade as foreman, General Foreman and was certified in numerous safety systems.
Course: 2020 Part 9 Plumbing Code
Hal Hokanson
Hal Hokanson is an Instructor in the Piping Trades Department at Red River Polytech, where he has taught all four Levels of Apprenticeship Plumbing since 2007.
Hal is a Certified Red Seal Journeyperson Plumber (RSE), a licensed Cross Connection Control Specialist and a licensed Gas Fitter. Hal is also provincially certified in Adult Education.
When not teaching in the classroom, Hal spends a majority of his time creating content for courses and developing practical projects for the Piping Trades Lab.
Prior to working at RRC Hal worked in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of the plumbing trade and was a Confined Space Entry Specialist.
Course: 2020 Part 9 Plumbing Code
David Lagimodiere
David Lagimodiere currently holds the position of Manager of Water and Waste at the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet and serves as an instructor for RRC Polytech’s water and wastewater certification courses. With 13 years of experience in the water and sewer industry, he has managed and operated wastewater plants, water treatment plants, and their respective collection and distribution systems. His water and sewer journey began thirteen years ago with the repair of a water service line for the City of Selkirk. His professional background is varied, encompassing roles in the food industry and the management of hazardous waste throughout Western Canada.
A staunch advocate for continuous education, David is always eager to acquire new skills. He maintains a ‘family first’ approach to life, often quoting, “We work to live, not live to work.” Outside of work, David dedicates time to his passion for mechanics, currently restoring vintage snowmobiles and mopeds in his garage.
David is certified in Class 1 Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment, as well as Class 2 Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection. Additionally, he holds a certification as an arborist.
Courses: Water and Wastewater Operator and Certification Training Courses
Bright Ng’andu
Dr Bright M. Ng’andu is an instructor in the Construction Management Degree Program at the RRC Polytech. Prior to joining the college, he worked as a structural engineer at Crosier Kilgour and Partners in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Before then he worked as a design engineering and project planning consultant in Europe and Africa. He particularly has expertise in analytical and numerical modelling of (irregular) structures with non-linear material behaviour. Bright also possesses vast experience from years of research and teaching at the University of Zambia and the University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
Bright holds PhD and Master of Science Degrees in Structural Engineering and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. His PhD research was in modelling and development of design rules for steel frames infilled with ‘precast masonry type’ wall elements.
At the RRC Polytech, Bright teaches courses in Structural Design of structural steel and reinforced concrete structures, Applied Research methods and supervises students in Applied Research Projects.
Course: Structural Design
Shannon Nordal
Shannon is a past graduate of the Environmental Engineering Technology program at RRC Polytech and has been teaching since 2019, with courses on Environmental Management, Supervisory Management, and Health and Safety. Prior to joining the College, Shannon worked at Dillon Consulting Limited as an Environmental Technologist gaining experience with phased site assessments, data analysis, report writing and working with clients to help achieve environmental compliance. Additional field experience including sample collection, remediation, and monitoring well installation provides her with first-hand knowledge of environmental procedures and best practices common to a variety of project sites.
Shannon is a Certified Engineering Technologist and is a member on the board of directors with the Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba (CTTAM).
Course: Environmental Management
David Poole, P.Eng.
David is a past graduate of the Structural Engineering Technology program who completed his engineering degree at the University of Manitoba and spent 20+ years in industry in a variety of roles before joining the Civil Engineering Technology Department at RRC Polytech in 2022. He currently teaches courses across the Architectural Technology, Structural Engineering Technology and Architecture/Engineering Technology streams of the day program, including Building Structural Systems, Structural Detailing, Project Administration and AEC Industry in Practice.
Before becoming an Instructor, David spent time working as a Design/Drafting Technologist, Certified Engineering Technologist, Structural Engineer of Record, Associate and Entrepreneur/Business Owner at small and medium-sized Engineering firms in Winnipeg. He has extensive experience in producing designs and managing multi-disciplinary project teams on residential, commercial, industrial and multi-purpose recreation facility projects across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario at every stage from proposal/feasibility through construction and commissioning.
Courses: 2020 Part 4 Structural Design, BIM Training
Derrick Reykdal
Derrick Reykdal is an Instructor in the Civil Engineering Technologies Department at Red River Polytech, where he teaches Code related courses, as well as Project Management, Architectural Design, and Environmental Systems. In addition, Derrick teaches code related courses to industry professionals such as building officials, architects and engineers, as well as general contractors.
Derrick is a Certified Building Code Official (CBCO) with the Manitoba Building Officials Association.
Prior to moving to RRC, Derrick was the Manager of Codes and Standards for the Office of the Fire Commissioner. During that time, Derrick was responsible for teaching code related courses and seminars for building officials, design professionals, contractors, and the general public, and he also worked on code development committees at the provincial level.
In addition, Derrick is a senior firefighter in Manitoba. He teaches fire rescue programs throughout the province and is on several local, provincial, and national response teams.
Derrick graduated from Red River College in what is now called the Architectural Engineering Technology program. Post graduation, Derrick worked in the construction industry as a designer, estimator, project manager, and operations manager for over 20 years.
This unique blend of experience has given Derrick a unique perspective on building construction and performance under adverse conditions.
Courses: Part 3 Large Buildings, Part 3 Complex Buildings
Michael Robb
Michael is an instructor in the Civil Engineering Technology Department where he has been teaching infrastructure related courses since 2008. Prior to RRC Polytech, Michael worked with municipal engineering consultants, contractors, and utilities. His experience includes land development, design and construction of new surface and subsurface works, condition assessment of existing assets, and the rehabilitation of subsurface pipelines using traditional and trenchless techniques.
Michael holds a Diploma in Municipal Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and is registered in Manitoba with CTTAM and EGM. His teaching areas include fluid mechanics, water supply, wastewater collections, stormwater management, pavement materials, roadway design, earthworks, and sustainable infrastructure.
Course: Infrastructure/Heavy Construction
Raven Sharma BSc., GSc., B.A.
Raven Sharma is currently the Manager of Utilities for the City of Selkirk and instructor at Red River College. She has worked in the water and sewer industry for 10 years and has operated and managed wastewater plants, water treatment plants, wastewater collection systems and water distribution systems for 8 years of her career. 17 years ago Raven laid her first watermain when working in Alberta for a year with a construction company. She has a Bachelor of Science, Geological Science, and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. She was a volunteer fire fighter for 6 years, and has recently been appointed to the board of directors and chair for the National Association of Sewer Trenchless Technologies. Raven also teaches environmental science and law in conjunction with the University of Manitoba and Manitoba Environmental Industries Association.
Her passion is mentoring and teaching operators throughout Manitoba how to trouble shoot and deal with on going issues with climate change and aging infrastructure. Raven’s research includes different optimization of removal of ammonia within wastewater. Raven was awarded a NSERC in 2010 under the Canadian Astrology Training Program for 2 years. Her primary research has been geotechnical and hydrogeology. Raven was part of a scientific research team who led rover simulations that would eventually go to Mars for NASA and Canadian Space Agency in search for water and life.
Courses: Water and Wastewater Operator and Certification Training Courses
Justine Shindak
Justine is a RRC Polytech grad from the architectural/engineering technology program. She has worked within the engineering consulting world for over a decade and has transitioned to property management in the last five years.
She has extensive experience on optimising both new and existing commercial buildings throughout western Canada. Her duties have included energy and water assessments, energy modelling, commissioning services and measurement and verification services. She has also successfully completed many LEED, BOMA BEST and Green Globes certified projects while also becoming a third-party reviewer for the CaGBC. Her current duties are now primarily overseeing energy and carbon reduction projects while supporting day to day building operations. Justine is a Certified Engineering Technologist and a Certified Energy Manager. She also has obtained her LEED accredited professional and a Qualified Commissioning Process Provider certifications.
Courses: 2020 NECB, 2020 NBC Section 9.36
Mike Tomasson
Mike Tomasson teaches code-related courses at RRC Polytech. Outside of the College, he is employed as the Building Inspector for Part 9 and Part 3 for the RM of Lac du Bonnet. Mike is a member of the Manitoba Building Officials Association, certified CBCO. Mike spent six years as a volunteer firefighter where he achieved his Level 1 Fire Fighter, and Level 1 Instructor.
Courses: 2020 Intro to MB Construction Codes, 2020 Part 9 The House, 2020 Part 9 Small Buildings, 2020 Manitoba Buildings Bylaws
Chris Urbanski
Chris Urbanski is an Architectural Technologist and a faculty member in the School of Skilled Trades and Technologies at RRC Polytech. He is the Program Lead and an instructor in the Architectural Technology Program, committed to delivering high-quality, multi-discipline technical training to meet the current and emerging needs of his students, industry partners, and community. Chris’ teaching focuses on current and emergent technologies utilized in the building design and construction sectors.
Prior to joining the faculty at RRC Polytech, Chris provided architectural technology services to commercial, academic, medical, and residential clients as a member of LM Architectural Group. Chris participated in all phases of the architectural process, from schematic design through contract administration and project close out. During his time at LM Architectural Group, Chris played an instrumental role in the development, implementation, and enforcement of BIM strategies.
Recognizing the vital link between academic training and the standards, expectations, and the role technology plays in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction sectors, Chris is dedicated to empowering students and industry professionals to embrace digital ways of working to support project design and execution.
Course: BIM Training
Brea Williams
Brea is an instructor in the Construction Management Degree program at RRC Polytech. Prior to joining RRC Polytech in 2010, she worked with Halsall Associates Ltd. In Ottawa, Ontario as a Project Engineer specializing in new building design, retrofits, audits and seismic restraint of mechanical/electrical equipment.
Brea earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Manitoba, carrying out research in the area of modular glass Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) bridge decks. She completed her doctorate degree in 2004 at Queen’s University having completed her research in partnership with Fyfe Co. LLC and the National Research Council Canada studying the fire resistance of FRP-strengthened concrete beams and slabs.
Brea is registered as a Professional Engineer in Manitoba, and has earned her LEED AP BD+C and Envision SP designations.
Course: ACI Concrete Field Testing
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.