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PARTNERS

Paul F. Puopolo MA, MCIP, RPP, OALA,
President

Mr. Puopolo obtained a Master of Arts from York University in Geography and Environmental Studies in 1977. Mr. Puopolo initiated his consulting career shortly thereafter, and on August 27, 1979 began Planning Initiatives. Growth continued over the years and in order to make all aware of the engineering component, changed the name in the Spring of 1997 to its present Planning & Engineering Initiatives Ltd. (PEIL).

Mr. Puopolo is a Full Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), is a Registered Professional Planner and a member of both the Canadian Society and Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Mr. Puopolo is quite active on several committees including, OPPI Council, OPPI Board of Directors as the Southwest District Representative as well as several Provincial Committees, was the former Chairman of the Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee of the Canadian Home Builders' Association (Kitchener, Waterloo, Hamilton), Waterloo Region Home Builders' Association Board of Directors and Operations Advisory Committee, Aggregate Producers' Association of Ontario, Guelph Development Association, Waterloo Economic Development Committee, and Habitat for Humanity Site Selection Committee. Mr. Puopolo is also active in the Kitchener-Westmount Rotary Club and is a member of its Board of Directors.

Mr. Puopolo has a wide range of experience in all facets of land use planning including policy planning, secondary plans, large residential subdivisions to single lot severances, industrial developments, commercial sites, parkland issues and aggregate resource management. As President, Mr. Puopolo is responsible for coordinating and supervising the major municipal environmental, recreational, and developmental planning projects of the firm. He represents the firm in many interactions, governmental and private organizational functions, seminars, conferences and public presentations.

John Ariens, MCIP, RPP,
Vice-President

Mr. Ariens brings over 28 years of planning experience to PEIL. His experience is well rounded in all aspects of planning and is well balanced with both public and private sector experience. He is a skilled negotiator and has completed Alternative Dispute Resolution programs. Mr. Ariens is the Vice President of PEIL and also manages our Hamilton office. This office has grown significantly over the last few years and is now the largest planning, engineering and landscape architecture consulting firm in the area. Our Hamilton practice extends throughout the Niagara Peninsula into Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties and easterly throughout Halton Region.

Mr. Ariens' is a recognized development expert who is frequently called on as an expert planner before the Ontario Municipal Board and other tribunals dealing with the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Conservation Authorities and land expropriation matters. He is also actively involved with various professional associations including OPPI where he Co-Chairs the Niagara Sub District activities. He is also the Treasurer of a Municipal Non Profit Housing Corporation which currently has over 500 residential units in its inventory.

Mr. Ariens' passion is long distance running and if he is not at the starting line of many local races you can bet that he is somehow involved in the race organization. He applies the same running skills to his planning projects including dedication, perseverance and a commitment to win.

David R. Sisco, BA, MCIP, RPP,
Secretary-Treasurer

Mr. Sisco began his career with PEIL in 1982 as a Planning Technician. After several years working for the firm and after acquiring a geography degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Mr. Sisco took on the full responsibilities of a land use planner. Currently, Mr. Sisco is a Registered Professional Planner and Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. In 1997, Mr. Sisco joined PEIL as a Partner and holds the position of Secretary-Treasurer.

Over the past 20 years, Mr. Sisco has been involved with all aspects of land use planning including policy planning, secondary plans, large residential subdivisions to single lot severances, industrial developments, commercial sites and parkland issues. The focus of his work however, is in the field of aggregate resource management and involves many comprehensive planning services. These range from provincial reviews of the industry, to policy development and research, to the rezoning and licensing of sites under the Aggregate Resources Act. The licensing process also includes the full co-ordination of all related and required studies (archaeological, noise, traffic, environmental, groundwater, etc.). As well, Mr. Sisco coordinates in-field aggregate inventories, processes site plan amendments, and completes annual inspections of properties. PEIL's aggregate client base consists of both large and small operators, private firms, as well as several municipalities and conservation authorities.

Mr. Sisco continues to be actively involved in numerous committees, including the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce – Environment Committee, Region of Waterloo Environmental Sustainability Awards Committee, APAO – Land Use Planning Committee and the Associate Members Committee.

John Torrance-Perks, M.B.A., P.Eng.,
Director

Mr. Perks’ working career started with co-op work terms with the Ministry of Transportation (Toronto), Bell Canada (Scarborough), GM Sernas (Mississauga) and the Department of National Defense (Ottawa). After graduating from Engineering from the University of Waterloo, John joined the consulting firm of Dillon Consulting Engineers (Cambridge) in 1989. While employed with Dillon, Mr. Perks designed and supervised the construction of subdivisions, and undertook bridge condition surveys and rehabilitations. In 1994, John joined PEIL and has since completed the design and construction of numerous subdivisions, commercial, institutional and industrial sites, many municipal road constructions and reconstructions, and bridge condition surveys and rehabilitations. He is also an Acoustical Engineer who has completed studies and designs for both transportation (road and rail) noise sources and for stationary commercial and industrial noise sources.

Mr. Perks is very active in the community. He is a past member of Rotary (Kitchener Grand River Club), has been treasurer for a local church and for the Bridgeport Public School Parent Council, was a past Co-Chair of the Waterloo Region Airport Advisory Committee, and a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario Grand River Chapter (including Chair for 2 years). Most recently he sits as Finance and Facilities Chair for Waterloo North Mennonite Church.

Finally, Mr. Perks has been a Partner and Director of Planning & Engineering Initiatives Ltd. since 1997. He has seen the company grow from 25 staff to over 60, and looks forward to continued success and growth of both the engineering department and the firm.

Sergio Manchia, BA, MCIP, RPP,
Director

As a Senior Planner for PEIL, Mr. Manchia is responsible for representing public and private sector clients, through the planning and development process. With over 15 years of development planning experience, he has worked closely with Senior Planners and Engineers in coordinating all aspects of the development process starting at the initial design through municipal approval to engineering design, registration and construction. In addition, Mr. Manchia is responsible for negotiations and liaison with the various levels of Government and technical review agencies including coordinating the efforts of other professionals, which include surveyors, engineers, landscape architects and lawyers. Mr. Manchia has experience with all facets of land use planning, including secondary plans, residential subdivisions and industrial/commercial developments. He is extensively involved in a variety of municipal and community committees and task forces and has been recognized as an authority in Brownfield developments. He is also a long standing elected member of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Mr. Manchia is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and is a Registered Professional Planner of Ontario (OPPI). Mr. Manchia is a long time resident of Hamilton, a graduate of McMaster University with Degrees in Economics and Urban Geography. He is a very strong advocate of urban renewal and downtown revitalization with a passionate belief in the re-building and growth of the new City of Hamilton.

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