For his application of innovative management practices, his contributions to the engineering profession and society, Arthur B. Johns, P.Eng., was presented with the Gold Medal at the annual Ontario Professional Engineers Award Gala held at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre on November 15, 2002.

The premier award of the profession, the award recognizes commitment to public service, technical excellence and outstanding professional leadership. The Gold Medal is awarded only when there is an outstanding candidate. There are 66,000 licenced professional engineers in Ontario and only one is presented with the award annually.

Under Art's leadership Morrison Hershfield has grown from a small Canadian firm to a North American entity. Art introduced many innovative management practices well ahead of their adoption by the industry. His focus on the importance of core values, client service and corporate code of conduct have been dynamic catalysts to Morrison Hershfield's ongoing success.

A professional engineer licensed in Ontario since 1962, Johns leads by example in encouraging staff to "get involved" in their professional associations. He has provided guidance in the review of building codes, guidelines and standards through serving on the Board and Executive of Consulting Engineers Ontario. He has served on the Council of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and chaired and served as a member of numerous committees and tasks forces. For his service to PEO and the profession, he was inducted in 1987 as a Member of the Order of the Sons of Martha, now the Order of Honour. He has also been a Warden of Camp One of the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer for the past 13 years.

Art's involvement with the community includes holding a variety of roles within his church since 1970 and serving as a little league coach for a number of teams. He is a strong advocate for such charities as the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Art has served as a Director of the Broadview Foundation, a non-profit care facility for seniors and is currently on the Board of Directors of his local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Engineer Art Johns is the quintessential engineer, known as a technical expert and excellent communicator. As a leader within the profession, he has influenced the practice and culture of the profession so that engineers may succeed in the changing business environment and the profession may continue to be the choice of the brightest of the next generation.

Art is proud to be following in the footsteps of company founder Carson Morrison. In 1974 Carson was presented with the Gold Medal.

The annual awards program is presented by Professional Engineers Ontario and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. For further information visit www.peo.on.ca and www.ospe.on.ca.