Joe Costigan (P. Eng) is the manager of Vale's utilities department where he has introduced controls and procedures to make significant improvements. He's been with Vale since 1997 when he participated in an engineer-in-training program. He was manager of the Copper Cliff nickel refinery team when it achieved its record production year of 148.8 million pounds of nickel.

Q: What motivates you?
A: I make an effort to expose myself to things that are unknown to me so I can learn from them. The same is with my hobbies. Whether it's learning to weld or becoming a backyard mechanic, I've always tried to broaden myself by getting involved in what I don't know.

Q: If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be?
A: Cam Neely from the Boston Bruins. He started off as my childhood idol for his ability and leadership on the ice. Once he retired from professional hockey, he eventually became the organization's president. I admired him in my youth but more now as he's made the leap from player to president.

Q: What do you enjoy about living in Northern Ontario?
A: My time away from work is as important to me as my career. I can enjoy my hobbies such hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and family saunas followed by a swim in Long Lake.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I always wanted to be a mechanical engineer. While at university, I focused on getting into the aerospace industry; however, as I progressed through the course, my interest switched to heavy industry.

Q: What makes you happy?
A: Taking my three children fishing.