Adam Kappheim, BTech ’12

As the Director of Engineering with Burlington Hydro, Adam Kappheim plays an important role in helping keep the lights on.

“I’m responsible for making sure the electricity distribution system in Burlington is expanded to meet the needs of new businesses and residents and well-maintained to keep the lights on for all of our customers,” he says.

Kappheim also works to advance the electricity grid by overseeing protection and control systems, smart grid technologies and other crucial systems, as well as coordinating the utilities’ plans with community partners.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to work with a talented team of technical and administrative staff in the Burlington Hydro engineering department which allows me to learn from their experiences while giving back through mentoring and development – something that I love,” he adds.

 He began his career in the electricity industry in 2010, joining Guelph Hydro as an engineering technologist after earning a college diploma in electrical engineering technology.

At the same time, he launched a night school career.

To build on his college foundation, Kappheim studied energy engineering technology through the Bachelor of Technology program, earning his degree in 2012 and going on to be the first from that program to earn his professional engineering designation in 2016.

He followed that up with an MBA from DeGroote School of Business, to hone his management skills and develop a broader picture.

“I completed all of my university level education in the evenings, which allowed me to work in my field while learning and immediately apply what I was learning to my career,” says Kappheim.

After almost eight years in Guelph, he took a job as a designer supervisor with Alectra Utilities in Hamilton before moving onto his current position with Burlington Hydro.

“The thing I love most about this field is the direct impact it has on our communities,” he says. “We are so dependent on a constant supply of electricity to do everything and bringing power to the lives of so many people means a lot to everyone in this industry.”

“Once I started in the electricity distribution sector as a college co-op student, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”