When James Seabrook, BASc’11, started Vitalis Extraction Technology in 2016, he had two ambitions. To bring more good engineering and manufacturing jobs to the Okanagan Valley—and to create clean technology solutions for the future of our planet.

Today, looking out from his office, he can see one result of those ambitions.

“The district energy heat pump that we’re installing for UBC Okanagan is something we’re really proud of. It will reduce campus emissions by about 900 tons per year—and will be the largest heat pump of its kind in North America. And I can actually see it right now, so that’s pretty cool.”

Among the many clean technology products designed and manufactured by Vitalis, their heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems by moving heat between spaces instead of generating it, significantly reducing energy use and costs.

James was among the first mechanical engineering graduates of UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering and firmly believes that without the connections he made during his time on campus, Vitalis might never have happened. Because of this, James has decided to give back by creating a new award for fourth-year graduating engineering students at UBC Okanagan, who are planning to advance a social or environmental project upon graduation.

“I didn’t always have high grades,” he says, “but I was pretty good at understanding the fundamentals and working with diverse groups of people. Engineering is not only technical—it’s also about relationships, which is something you can only experience beyond the classroom. School is about so much more than your grades.”

James grew up in a small community near Ottawa, before moving across the country to study in the Okanagan. During his youth he spent a lot of time working at his dad’s golf course and, from an early age, was perhaps destined to end up with his own engineering company.

“Both my parents were entrepreneurs who ran their own businesses. I spent a lot of time working on equipment at the golf course, or doing woodworking, designing and building furniture or whatever. Those were probably the early foundations of my passion for design and engineering. Along with playing with Lego when I was even younger!”

At UBC Okanagan he found a supportive community and the opportunity to do something valuable and rewarding. Many of his fellow students found careers in Alberta’s oil and gas sector, but James really wanted to stay in the Okanagan. With limited options for engineering careers locally at the time, he feels grateful to have found a spot in the local manufacturing environment that ultimately fostered the realization of Vitalis.

“I’ve got young kids and that really shapes my values, he says. “When I look at the state of the world and see deregulation, policy reversal and climate change denial, it angers me. I’m passionate about providing solutions that are economically viable. That gets me fired up—I want to make a positive impact.”

With the new award, James is doing exactly that, empowering graduating students to explore their ideas and create positive change in their communities. And, as Will Hughes, the Director of the School of Engineering says, his career is an example for student engineers to follow.

“James’ path to entrepreneurial success is rooted in his perseverance and motivation to explore creative solutions to big problems. His passion, innovation and creativity are an inspiration to our students and his fellow alumni.”

As the Okanagan campus marks its 20th year, James’ generous gift will empower the next generation to take up the fight for a healthier, more sustainable climate. And it will help ensure that engineering talent that is grown in the Okanagan stays there, creating solutions for the benefit of the region—and the planet.