Energy & Environmental Services

GrahamStephens

Sales & Business Development Executive Water Treatment & RO Specialist Waste Services Leader Western Canada

Strategic sales and business development executive with 30+ years unlocking growth in Western Canada's most demanding energy and environmental services markets. Deep specialist expertise in water treatment, membrane technology, and industrial waste services, combined with a commercial instinct that has converted over $300M in contracts across oil & gas, mining, petrochemical, and construction.

$300M+
Contracts Secured
80×
Revenue Growth
30+
Years Experience
$180M+
Opportunities Identified
Core Expertise

Where strategy meets execution

01
Strategic Business Development & Client Engagement
02
Revenue Modeling, Financial Planning & Budget Management
03
Pipeline Management & CRM Analytics — Salesforce, MS Dynamics
04
Water Treatment Process Design — RO, UF, Basal Aquifer & Produced Water
05
Industrial & Hazardous Waste T&D — Transfer Stations, Site Services, Landfill
06
Team Leadership, Coaching & Channel Development
07
M&A Target Identification & Market Intelligence
08
Stakeholder Collaboration & Cross-Functional Delivery
Specialist Capability

Water Treatment &
Membrane Technology

From concept-stage process design to multi-site commercial deployment — translating complex water chemistry into revenue-generating solutions.

Graham's water treatment expertise spans more than a decade of hands-on engagement with oil sands produced water, basal aquifer systems, and high-TDS industrial streams. He bridges the gap between engineering and commercial reality — designing treatment processes, validating performance, assembling technical teams, and structuring the contracts that make large-scale water infrastructure viable.

His work spans the full treatment train: pre-treatment (coagulation, DAF/IAF), primary membrane systems (UF, NF, RO), concentrate management, and ZLD pathway analysis. Currently advancing a $100M+ basal/saline water treatment solution through final commercial close.

Process Simulation — Oil Sands Water Treatment TrainCentrifuge · UF · RO · Brine Management
SOLIDS DISCHARGE BRINE CONCENTRATE 52,000 mg/L TDS FEED WATER Saline / Basal Aquifer PUMP COAGULATION Polymer Dosing DRIVE FEED DECANTER CENTRIFUGE 3,220 RPM ΔN 12 RPM Clarified → ↓ Dewatered Cake ULTRAFILTRATION Membrane Pre-treat RO-1 RO-2 RO-3 RO-4 850 PSI REVERSE OSMOSIS High-Pressure Membranes <42 mg/L TDS PERMEATE PRODUCT Treated Water OIL SANDS PRODUCED WATER TREATMENT — PROCESS SIMULATION
Process Technology Capabilities
Primary Separation
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
High-pressure spiral-wound & tubular RO for high-TDS saline and basal aquifer water; brine concentration and permeate recovery optimization
Pre-Treatment
Ultrafiltration & Nanofiltration
UF membrane pre-treatment to protect downstream RO; NF for divalent ion removal and partial softening before high-pressure stages
Solids Management
Coagulation, Flocculation & Clarification
Chemical conditioning for TSS and colloidal removal; lamella plate and conventional clarification; polymer optimization
Oil-Water Separation
DAF / IAF De-oiling
Dissolved and induced air flotation for produced water and OSPW pre-treatment; slop oil recovery prior to membrane systems
Chemical Treatment
Lime Softening & Antiscalant
Lime/soda ash softening for hardness and silica removal; antiscalant program design for RO brine side scaling control
Brine & Concentrate
ZLD Pathway & Brine Management
Zero liquid discharge feasibility; evaporator/crystallizer integration; deep-well disposal vs. beneficial reuse economic modelling
Tailings Recovery
MFT / FFT Process Design
Mature and Fluid Fine Tailings water reclamation; solids dewatering; pond dredging and tailings pond water reuse strategies
Produced Water
SAGD & OSPW Treatment
Steam-assisted gravity drainage produced water management; oil sands process-affected water treatment trains; OTSG feed water quality
Signature Projects
E360 Solutions · 2024 — Present
Basal Aquifer Water Treatment Program — Oil Sands
$100M+
Contract Value · Expected Close 2026

Scoped, designed, and is advancing the largest water treatment initiative of Graham's career — a full RO-based process solution for treating high-TDS saline basal aquifer water at an oil sands operation. Led process design, technology selection, team buildout, and operator engagement.

Reverse OsmosisHigh-TDS BrineZLD AnalysisProcess Design
Secure Energy · CNRL · 2018 — 2023
CNRL Basal Water Treatment — Concept to Implementation
Multi-year
Sustained Commercial Contract

Led the full commercial and technical lifecycle of a basal water treatment program at CNRL's oil sands operations — from initial feasibility and process design validation through equipment specification and operational startup.

UF Pre-treatmentRO SystemAntiscalantCNRL
Secure Energy · Suncor · 2018 — 2023
Suncor Basal Water Treatment Program
Multi-site
Oil Sands Operations

Developed and implemented water treatment solutions for Suncor's basal aquifer management program, adapting process design parameters to Suncor's distinct water chemistry profile across multiple operational sites.

SuncorAquifer MgmtProcess Adapt.Regulatory
Newalta Inc. · 2010 — 2017
MFT / FFT Tailings Water Reclamation — Athabasca
$250M+
Contracts Across Period

Pioneered the commercialization of MFT and FFT tailings treatment technology — designing water reclamation processes for high-suspended-solids streams, launching slop oil treatment, pond dredging, and lime slurry processing service lines.

MFT/FFTLime SofteningPond DredgingOSPW
Operating Environments & Technical Challenges
Feed Water Quality
Extreme TDS & TSS Variability
Experience designing treatment trains for basal aquifer water with TDS exceeding 50,000 mg/L and variable suspended solids loads — conditions that demand robust pre-treatment and adaptive chemical programs to protect membrane integrity.
Scaling & Fouling
Carbonate, Sulphate & Silica Scaling
Managed antiscalant selection and dosing programs for RO systems treating calcium carbonate and barium sulphate scaling waters; coordinated with membrane OEMs on element selection and cleaning protocols.
Regulatory Context
AEPEA & Tailings Directives
Operated within Alberta's regulatory environment governing tailings management and produced water disposal — including Directive 085 and EPEA approvals — structuring solutions that satisfy operator economics and environmental compliance.
Commercial Structure
CAPEX-to-Service Conversion
Designed revenue models and contract structures that convert large capital water treatment assets into fee-for-service or build-own-operate arrangements, enabling operators to manage produced water obligations without balance-sheet exposure.
Service Capability

Industrial & Hazardous
Waste Services

From manifest to final disposal — structuring compliant, cost-effective waste transport and treatment solutions for Western Canada's most complex industrial operators.

Graham's waste services expertise spans more than two decades across hazardous and non-hazardous waste transport & disposal, transfer station operations, oil sands site services, and Class I landfill logistics. He has built and operated waste management service lines from the ground up across the Athabasca Oil Sands, petrochemical corridor, and industrial Alberta.

His commercial fluency spans waste characterization, manifest management, T&D contract structuring, regulatory compliance (EPEA, TDG), and integrated site service models that bundle waste management with water treatment and environmental services — unlocking multi-stream contracts with major operators.

Process Simulation — Industrial Waste Transfer StationTipping Floor · Trommel · Compactor · T&D Dispatch
HAZ 18.4 T GROSS WT MANIFEST #E360-2024-0847 WEIGHBRIDGE TIPPING FLOOR Haz / Non-Haz Receiving · 500 T/day Waste Characterisation & Sorting PRIMARY CONVEYOR TROMMEL CLASSIFIER 12 RPM ↓ Fines & Soil Fraction Oversize → SECONDARY CONVEYOR Baled Output COMPACTOR / BALER Volume Reduction · Load-Out Ready 2,800 PSI CLASS I LANDFILL OUTBOUND DISPATCH T&D to Licensed Facility INDUSTRIAL WASTE TRANSFER STATION — PROCESS SIMULATION
Service Capabilities
Waste Classification
Haz / Non-Haz Characterization
Waste profiling, characterization sampling, and manifest preparation for Class I/II streams across industrial, petrochemical, and oil sands operations
Transport & Disposal
T&D Contract Management
Full T&D logistics structuring from point of generation to licensed disposal facility; TDG compliance; carrier procurement and management
Transfer Operations
Waste Transfer Station Services
Tipping floor operations, trommel classification, volume reduction via compaction/baling, and load-out optimization for cost-per-tonne reduction
Oil Sands Specific
Site Services & Slop Oil Recovery
Onsite slop oil treatment, pond dredging, sump cleanout, tank cleaning, spill response, and SAGD produced sand management across Athabasca sites
Sulphur Management
Sulphur Blocking & Storage
Sulphur forming and blocking services for sour gas processing facilities; temporary storage and transport solutions for sulphur product streams
Regulatory Compliance
EPEA & TDG Compliance
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act compliance; Transportation of Dangerous Goods management; waste audit and reporting programs
Key Project Experience
E360 Solutions · 2024 — Present
Oil Sands Site Services — Western Canada
>$12M
12× Return on $1M Budget Expectation

Sourced and won Oil Sands site services contracts valued at more than $12M against a $1M budget expectation — a 12x return. Identified opportunity through direct-sourced lead generation and converted through technical sales engagement.

Site ServicesOil Sands12× ROIE360
Secure Energy · 2018 — 2023
Haz/Non-Haz Waste T&D — Athabasca Oil Sands
$120M
Annual Divisional Revenue Contribution

Grew annual revenue contribution to $120M by penetrating nearly every Oil Sands site through integrated solutions including hazardous and non-hazardous waste T&D, sulphur blocking, and basal water treatment — positioned as a preferred environmental services partner.

Haz/Non-HazT&DSulphur BlockingMulti-site
Newalta Inc. · 2010 — 2017
Slop Oil Treatment & Waste Services — Oil Sands
$250M+
Contracts Secured Over Period

Built and led heavy oil waste service lines from a single site operation to nearly all Athabasca Oil Sands sites. Launched slop oil treatment, pond dredging, lime slurry processing, and waste management service lines still operating today under Secure Energy.

Slop OilPond DredgingLime SlurryNewalta
Clean Harbors · 2003 — 2008
Class I Landfill — Industrial & Petrochemical Alberta
$5M
Annual Revenue · 12% YOY Growth

Drove sales for environmental services targeting industrial and petrochemical industries throughout Alberta, driving waste into the Ryley Class I landfill. Secured $5M annually and grew account acquisition by 12% year-over-year over a 5-year term.

Class I LandfillPetrochemicalIndustrialClean Harbors
Sales & Team Performance

Sales Leadership &
Revenue Engine

Sales Operation — Western Canada Performance DashboardTerritory · Revenue · CRM · Team
BC AB SK Fort McMurray Edmonton Calgary Ft. St. John Syncrude/Kearl WESTERN CANADA TERRITORY Near-100% Oil Sands Penetration CNRL · Suncor · Syncrude · Kearl · Cenovus ANNUAL REVENUE PERFORMANCE $0 $30M $60M $90M $120M 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 $120M Oil Sands Division Revenue Contribution $250M+ in Contracts Secured CNRL · Suncor · Syncrude · Kearl · Cenovus · Shell SALES TEAM IN ACTION CRM: 42 Active Opps CALL ACTIVE Pipeline: $42M Active Proposal: $12M Scope ✓ DEAL CLOSED Oil Sands Site Services · $12M+ TEAM PERFORMANCE 9 Field Reps 6 Recruited by Graham +150% CRM Activity Western Canada Direct Recruitment vs. Previous Year WESTERN CANADA SALES OPERATION — PERFORMANCE SIMULATION
Career
February 2024 — Present · Edmonton, AB
Environmental 360 Solutions Ltd.
Sales Director, Environmental Services
Leading Western Canada business development for the Environmental Services Division across petrochemical, industrial, construction, and mining sectors.
  • $180M+ in strategic opportunities identified and converted to multi-year contracts through direct-sourced lead generation and technical sales.
  • Sourced and won Oil Sands site services contracts valued at >$12M against a $1M budget expectation — a 12× return.
  • Architected and advanced a $100M+ saline/basal aquifer water treatment solution for oil sands clients including full RO-based process design, high-TDS brine management, and team buildout; expected Q1 2026.
  • Built and leads a field sales team of 9; recruited 6 of 11 Western Canada reps, driving CRM activity completions up 150% through structured coaching, annual planning, and Pipeline metrics enablement.
  • Identified M&A targets in specialized services, analyzing client market share, pricing, and revenue models for leadership.
January 2018 — December 2023 · Edmonton, AB
Secure Energy
Senior Executive, Business Development
Led strategic account growth across Oil Sands, expanding client acquisition to nearly every major site in Western Canada through innovative service development.
  • Grew annual revenue contribution to $120M by penetrating nearly every Oil Sands site — CNRL, Suncor, Syncrude, Kearl — through innovative solutions including basal water treatment, haz/non-haz waste T&D, and sulphur blocking.
  • Managed multi-year, complex project portfolios exceeding $5M per contract annually, contributing to $120M in divisional revenue.
  • Developed and validated water treatment process designs for high-TDS/TSS environments; led CNRL and Suncor basal water treatment solutions from concept to implementation applying RO, UF, and antiscalant chemistry.
February 2017 — January 2018 · Edmonton, AB
Finning Canada
Manager, Strategic Pricing
Designed enterprise-wide loyalty and tiered pricing programs across Finning's $3B client portfolio.
  • Generated $36M in trackable incremental revenue through predictive Excel modeling and tiered discount structures applied across all client segments.
  • Set KPIs to drive 4% parts churn increase and 11.6% profitability improvement on a $750M parts sales budget, yielding $87M in improved revenue.
2010 — 2017 · Fort McMurray, AB
Newalta Inc.
Manager, Heavy Oil Sales
Built and led a heavy oil sales team from a single site operation into a dominant multi-site presence across Oil Sands.
  • Grew revenue 80× — from one site at $1.5M/year to nearly all Oil Sands sites at $120M/year — securing over $250M in contracts across the period.
  • Pioneered commercialization of MFT/FFT technology; launched slop oil treatment, pond dredging, lime slurry processing, and waste management service lines still operating today.
  • Developed KPIs, client engagement plans, and marketing programs that established long-term oil sands agreements and positioned the division as the preferred environmental services partner.
Earlier Career
2008 — 2010
Newalta Inc.
Account Manager, Calgary Transfer Station

Secured $2M in contracts for waste management in industrial and oil & gas sectors across Southern Alberta before moving to Fort McMurray to lead the Heavy Oil sales division.

2003 — 2008
Clean Harbors
Regional Account Manager, Alberta

Drove sales targeting industrial and petrochemical industries throughout Alberta, securing $5M annually with 12% YOY acquisition growth over a 5-year term.

1993 — 2004
Registered Professional Forester
Environmental Science & Resource Stewardship

A foundational decade in environmental science — the perspective that continues to inform a career built on sustainable industrial solutions.

Education & Credentials

Knowledge & Capabilities

Master of Business Administration
University of Saskatchewan
Finance · 2003 — 2004
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science
University of Alberta
Forestry · 1989 — 1993
Leadership Foundations
Western University, London ON
2013
Project Management Professional — Module 1
Project Management Institute
2011
Anthropic AI Learning Suite
Anthropic / Claude Platform
AI Fluency · Claude 101 · Claude Code · Claude API · MCP · Agents · 2026
Board Chairman
Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation
Edmonton, AB · 2022
Attended, planned, and presented at 120+ trade shows and conferences across energy and oil & gas sectors.
Technical Skills
Reverse OsmosisMembrane TechnologyUltrafiltrationBasal Water TreatmentHigh-TDS/TSSBrine ManagementZLD AnalysisOSPW TreatmentMFT/FFTLime SofteningDAF/IAFProcess DesignHaz/Non-Haz T&DSite ServicesSalesforceMS Dynamics CRMSAP AribaAvettaiValuaPipeline CRMISNetworldChannel SalesM&A AnalysisStrategic PlanningC-Suite EngagementFinancial ModelingMicrosoft SuiteAdobe AcrobatGoogle Workspace
Technical Training & Certifications
AI
Anthropic AI Certification Suite
AI Fluency, Claude 101, Claude Cowork, Claude Code in Action, Building with the Claude API, Model Context Protocol, Agent & Subagent Skills — March 2026
H₂O
Water Treatment Certificates
Membrane Technology for Water & Wastewater Treatment, Water Treatment Process Design, Complete Course in Water & Wastewater Treatment — Udemy, 2025
MS
Microsoft Office Suite
Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Dynamics CRM, Outlook, Visio, SharePoint, Access — 2017
HSE
Safety & Compliance Training
First Aid CPR · CSTS · H2S Alive · NORM Awareness · Nuclear Gauge Awareness · OHS ALA/OSSA BDO · Silica Awareness — Energy Safety Canada

Ready to build
something exceptional?

Edmonton, Alberta · Open to strategic engagements across Western Canada