NAIT Alumni

Today is International Beer Day – the perfect day to show some love to our alumni owned and operated breweries!

The Alberta craft beer community has grown considerably over the years, with now more than 120 breweries across the province. Did you know these breweries were owned by NAIT grads? ⬇️

➡️ Analog Brewing | Co-owned by Bryan Launier (Business Administration-Marketing ‘09)

➡️ Dog Island Brewing | Co-owned by Ben Fiddler (Electrician ‘02, Instrument Technician ‘01) and Chad Pauslon (Instrument Technician ‘09)

➡️ The Growlery Beer Co. | Co-owned by Kevin Danard (Landscape Architectural Technology ‘97) and Jeff Po***ck (Business Administration-Finance ‘95)

➡️ Longroof Brewing Co. | Co-owned by Troy Wassill (Radio & Television Arts ‘96)

➡️ Omen Brewing | Co-owned by Spencer Oswald (Electrician ‘09)

➡️ Polyrhythm Brewing | Co-owned by Taylor Wacey (Electrician ‘20)

➡️ Town Square Brewing Co. | Co-owned by Brandon Boutin (Steamfitter/Pipefitter ‘05), Tyler McNaughton (Architectural Technology ‘05), and Sterling Nordin (Heavy Equipment Technician ‘02)

Check out the NAIT craft beer guide via techlifetoday: techlifetoday.nait.ca/2026/the-nait-craft-beer-guide If you’re a grad who should be on this list but isn’t, please let us know!

This spring, Edmonton International Airport broke ground on a $300-million, 2,000-acre cargo hub designed to strengthen trade connections.

For Myron Keehn (Accounting '92), president and CEO of Edmonton International Airport, the project is about more than infrastructure. It's about creating opportunities, helping connect Alberta businesses to global markets, supporting jobs, and building capacity for future growth in the province.

His journey from accounting student to leading one of Canada's growing airports shows how a practical, real-world education can play a part in shaping the future of a region.

Read more about Myron and the airport expansion. ⬇️

Cleared for takeoff: NAIT grad leads Edmonton International Airport into new era CEO Myron Keehn oversees start of $300M, 2,000-acre cargo hub

Being a NAIT grad has its perks! ✨ Alumni receive access to competitive rates on term dental, life, and health insurance through our affinity program partner, Manulife. Learn more and request a quote: nait.ca/alumni/benefits

It's hard to believe July is already coming to an end — summer is flying by!

What's been your summer highlight so far, or what are you looking forward to in August? Share in the comments. 👇

In June of 1914, Edmonton accumulated nearly 217 millimetres of rain – a record that had stood more than a century. This year, it was washed away, surpassed by more than 20% as total rainfall for June 2026 reached 264 mm by month’s end, making for a very soggy start to summer.

Check out this techlifetoday article for some great advice on eavestroughs, grading, and sump pumps provided by Plumber and Advanced Plumbing Technology instructor Stephen Repetowski (Plumber ’17) and Construction Engineering Technology instructor Kenneth Williams. ⬇️

Three ways to reduce the chance of stormwater flooding in your house What to do with eavestroughs, grading and sump pumps

When William Hawrelak Park reopened this spring, many visitors said something surprising: it didn't look that different.

For the NAIT graduates who helped lead the park's $134.6-million rehabilitation, that was one of the highest compliments they could receive.

The challenge wasn't simply to modernize one of Edmonton's most cherished public spaces. It was to preserve what people loved about it while preparing it for decades to come.

For Phil Nastiuk (Architectural Technology ’02), Alisha Meunier (Bachelor of Technology ‘13, Architectural Technology ‘08), and Jesse Banford (Construction Engineering Technology ‘01), the project was about creating a place where future generations can gather, celebrate, explore and make memories.

We're proud to see NAIT graduates helping shape the future in Edmonton, one project at a time. Read more about the project. ⬇️

Walk in the Park: Go behind the scenes at the William Hawrelak Park rehabilitation NAIT grads discuss rebuilding of cherished Edmonton park for another half-century of enjoyment

There’s so much value in prospective students being able to hear about NAIT programs from the perspective of our alumni. A huge thank you to Moe Barzagar (Construction Engineering Technology ‘17) and Cherry Pagtalunan (Construction Engineering Technology ‘25) for participating in our Construction Engineering Technology program video!

If the idea of sharing your experience with prospective students sounds appealing to you, send us a message so we can add you to our list of alumni contacts for future program videos and guest speaking opportunities. ✨

Study Construction Engineering Technology at NAIT About the programNAIT's Construction Engineering Technology diplo...

Being a NAIT grad has its perks, one of which is access to preferred insurance rates on home, car, and travel insurance with our affinity program partner, TD Insurance. Learn more and get a quote:tdinsurance.com/affinity/naitalumni

When Leshan Masikonte (Bachelor of Business Administration ‘23) came to Canada, he thought his future was already mapped out. “It's medicine, engineering, lawyer – you know, the normal stuff for us immigrant kids.”

But after trying different paths, he made a decision: to lean into his strengths and follow what felt right.

At NAIT, that meant finance. Outside the classroom, it meant music.

Today, he’s bringing those worlds together by using business skills to help build Edmonton’s music community, from leading his Afro-fusion band Melafrique to supporting large-scale artistic collaborations.

Along the way, his time in student leadership helped shape how he leads, collaborates, and creates opportunities for others.

Learn how he’s used his passion for music and business education to make a real impact, helping others with similar passions shine along the way. ⬇️

How business education prepared Leshan Masikonte for an artist’s life Finance grad and former student board member using skills to build community

Today is National Tattoo Day— the perfect day to share why, back in 2018, Sheena Dukewich (Bachelor of Business Administration '20; Hospitality Management '17) got her first tattoo: an Ookpik.

You might be wondering: why would she get the NAIT mascot on her body as her first-ever tattoo?

Her answer was simple: NAIT made a permanent impact on her life and who she is as a person. Her time at NAIT was an unseen permanent mark and she wanted a visual reminder—a badge of honour—of that impact, which led to the tattoo.

In Sheena’s words: “NAIT gave me an education, but more importantly, NAIT gave me a new life. I grew so much personally, emotionally, and academically because of NAIT, and my experiences helped me believe that I’m an intelligent, high-achieving individual capable of reaching any goal I set for myself. NAIT has marked my life, and now I have let NAIT mark me. I am truly an Ook for life!”

Hearing about the ways NAIT has impacted our alumni is always special, and we appreciate Sheena letting us share the meaning behind her tattoo. 💙