Chad Bachynski, P.Eng. and Mayor of Regina

Tell us about your personal background.
 I grew up in South Regina going to Ecole Massey School, then Campbell Collegiate. I am married with two young kids who keep us very busy with activities. Regina has been my home for nearly 25 years. 

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty?  
At first I chose engineering for the same reason many were choosing it at the time (and probably still do). I was good at math and science! I quickly learned there was much more depth and diversity to a career in engineering. I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan from 2004 to 2008.

Prior to Regina’s recent municipal election, what were some of your most interesting, rewarding, and challenging professional experiences?
I started off my career after school in a very technical but diverse role, working on hydraulic and electrohydraulic designs at Applied Industrial Technologies. It was a small company, and I had to wear a number of hats. Sales, procurement, drafting, design, installation, and commissioning often all fell within my responsibility. This was challenging, especially just coming out of school. However, I gained an incredible amount of experience in a short amount of time.  

When I moved to SaskEnergy, it was in a very different role, and I realized the benefits of wearing those many hats, as I was primarily focused on project management. Over time, I realized I wanted to lean more into leadership responsibilities and ended up managing different teams, each with their own challenges. I enjoyed the technical work but, as I grew in my career, I found the dynamics and challenges of leading a team fascinating and rewarding. 

How does your engineering training and experience support your new role as Regina’s mayor?
I believe my engineering experience gives me a unique lens to analyze challenges and issues. Much of my background and experience is in construction, operations, and critical infrastructure. This is a benefit when trying to understand the work happening in the city, as there are many similarities.   

How are your family, friends, and colleagues responding to your new celebrity status?
My friends and family have been extremely supportive and keep me grounded.

What activities or interests do you enjoy outside of work?  
 I like to stay active with running and going to the gym, and I like to play rec hockey when I can find the time. I also like to unwind with some more technical hobbies such as 3D printing and a little bit of PC gaming. I am also a big Formula One and Edmonton Oilers fan. 

Any words of advice for the young and emerging engineers out there?
I would say, pay attention to how your interests grow and change. It’s okay to pivot and find what makes you happy. Engineering is a great career: it offers an incredible amount of opportunity to find a career that is fulfilling and meaningful to you.