February 8, 2011 Ontario Solar Summit
Solar Energy & Ontario’s LDCs: Converting Challenges into Opportunities
Bruce Noble
Brant County Power
Bruce Noble is the Chief Executive Officer of Brant County Power and has served in this role since September of 2008. Prior to becoming CEO, he had served on the Company’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Noble came to Brant County Power with an extensive career in telecommunications. During more than 30 years in that regulated industry he has developed a strong background in finance, operations and regulatory affairs. Additionally, Mr. Noble has had interests in properly development and property management, and involvement in agriculture enterprises amongst other business interests.
Mr. Noble is a community minded individual, being a founder member of the self declared, Ontario Green Energy Hub and currently sits as a board member of the Brant Waterways Foundation, a charitable organization whose objective is to provide funding assistance for projects that preserve, protect, restore, and improve the natural resources of the Grand River, and adjacent lands within the county of Brandt.
Michael Angemeer
Veridian Corporation, President and CEO
Michael Angemeer is the President and CEO of Veridian Corporation, one of the largest and fastest growing electricity distribution utilities in Ontario with a history of safe, reliable, and cost effective performance and a track record of successful mergers and acquisitions.
Veridian Connections is responsible for distributing electricity to more than 113,000 customers in an area north and east of Toronto. Veridian’s shareholders are the cities of Pickering and Belleville, the Town of Ajax and the Municipality of Clarington.
Veridian is a leader in innovation and environmental sustainability as evidenced by Michael’s corporate vehicle, the first PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) with solar assist in Canada. A greener fleet, buildings with a lower environmental footprint, geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and LEED certification, and innovative customer conservation and demand management programs have allowed Veridian to become a leader in this area. Michael is a leader in the energy industry, advocating positive change for the electricity system, utilities, customers and shareholders. He developed experience and leadership in over 24 years of business improvement in electrical distribution and transmission operations at Enersource Hydro Mississauga and Ontario Hydro before moving on to lead Veridian Corporation.
Michael is a Past Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) Board and has served on a number of Government, Ontario Energy Board and EDA Task Forces and Committees. He served on the EDA Visioning Committee and helped chart the future direction for Local Distribution Companies. He is the Past and Founding Chair of the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance (DSEA), a business/government/educational institution energy cluster located in the Region of Durham. Michael is also a member of the Board of Management of the Ontario Centres of Excellence – Centre for Energy and serves on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). He has recently participated in the Smart Grid Forum and the Greening Greater Toronto Task Force.
Michael has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering with Management Science from the University of Waterloo and became a Professional Engineer in 1988. He is a sought after speaker, having authored a number of publications and given a number of presentations to industry leaders.
Michael Angemeer is the President and CEO of Veridian Corporation, one of the largest and fastest growing electricity distribution utilities in Ontario with a history of safe, reliable, and cost effective performance and a track record of successful mergers and acquisitions.
Veridian Connections is responsible for distributing electricity to more than 113,000 customers in an area north and east of Toronto. Veridian’s shareholders are the cities of Pickering and Belleville, the Town of Ajax and the Municipality of Clarington.
Veridian is a leader in innovation and environmental sustainability as evidenced by Michael’s corporate vehicle, the first PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) with solar assist in Canada.A greener fleet, buildings with a lower environmental footprint, geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and LEED certification, and innovative customer conservation and demand management programs have allowed Veridian to become a leader in this area.
Michael is a leader in the energy industry, advocating positive change for the electricity system, utilities, customers and shareholders. He developed experience and leadership in over 24 years of business improvement in electrical distribution and transmission operations at Enersource Hydro Mississauga and Ontario Hydro before moving on to lead Veridian Corporation.
Michael is a Past Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) Board and has served on a number of Government, Ontario Energy Board and EDA Task Forces and Committees.He served on the EDA Visioning Committee and helped chart the future direction for Local Distribution Companies. He is the Past and Founding Chair of the Durham Strategic EnergyAlliance (DSEA), a business/government/educational institution energy cluster located in the Region of Durham. Michael is also a member of the Board of Management of the Ontario Centres of Excellence – Centre for Energy and serves on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). He has recently participated in the SmartGrid Forum and the Greening Greater Toronto Task Force.
Michael has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering with Management Science from the University of Waterloo and became a Professional Engineer in 1988. He is a sought after speaker, having authored a number of publications and given a number of presentations to industry leaders.
Milan Bolkovic
PowerStream, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer
Milan Bolkovic has over 30 years experience in the electric utility industry and is currently the Executive Vice President, Renewable Generation and Conservation, at PowerStream Inc., the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, serving more than 325,000 customers in Simcoe County and York Region.
Milan leads two business units at PowerStream. Focused on Solar Energy, the Renewable Generation Business Unit originates and implements renewable generation facilities owned and operated by PowerStream. The Conservation and Demand Management Business Unit delivers conservation programs to PowerStream’s customers and is currently preparing to launch PowerStream’s new series of OPA sponsored CDM programs.
He has served in a number of key roles at PowerStream. Prior to the merger that created PowerStream, Milan was the President and CEO at Markham Hydro Distribution Inc. He also played a key role in the start-up of Markham District Energy Inc. serving as its Chief Operating Officer and implementing a Co-generation Plant and piped distribution system which delivered thermal energy (hot water and chilled water) to its customers and electricity to the grid.
Milan serves as a Director for GLOBE (Green Light on a Better Environment), a subsidiary of Social Housing Services Corporation, focused on delivering energy efficiency services to the social housing sector.
A registered professional engineer, Milan has a Master, of Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University. He resides in Vaughan, Ontario, with his wife and four children.
Barry Chuddy
Guelph Hydro, Chief Executive Officer Barry Chuddy was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guelph Hydro Inc. (GHI) on August 24, 2009. GHI is the holding company for the entity which owns Guelph Hydro Electric Systems (GHES) which is the regulated distribution utility serving 50,000 customers in Guelph.
Mr. Chuddy has over two and a half decades of industry experience. He comes to Guelph Hydro from Columbia Power Corporation (CPC) where he served as its President and CEO. Previous to working at CPC he was Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Enersource Hydro Mississauga. Mr. Chuddy has also held senior positions with TransAlta and Emera Inc., and has served on numerous boards in the electricity industry.
A team leader with a strong financial and development background, Mr. Chuddy is a graduate of several Canadian military schools. He was an original stakeholder board member of the Independent Electricity Market Operator (now the IESO) in Ontario, where he chaired the IESO’s audit committee, and he is a current Director of the Canadian District Energy Association.
Mr. Chuddy’s CEO role is new for GHI. As part of a long term growth strategy, this position will focus on the evolution and implementation of GHI’s business, including support of the City of Guelph’s Community Energy Plan and has already seen the recapitalization of the Company and its restructuring.
Gunars Ceksters, P. Eng.
Ontario Solar Network, Chair Gunars Ceksters was President and Chief Executive Officer of Enersource Corporation from May 2001 until June of 2007. Prior to that, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation’s electricity distribution affiliate.
Mr. Ceksters was responsible for management of Enersource Corporation’s full range of regulated and non-regulated business interests. This included the successful operation of Enersource Hydro Mississauga, one of Ontario’s largest local distribution utilities.
Mr. Ceksters is a strong proponent of the local utility role in developing smaller ‘distributed’ and clean sources of power generation to strengthen the reliability and capacity of Ontario’s electricity grid. He is also a strong supporter of conservation delivered directly to customers, at the local level, to achieve sustained lowering of the demand for power.
In pursuit of progressive change, Mr. Ceksters served as a member and Co-Chair of the Electricity Conservation and Supply Task Force throughout 2003. Mr. Ceksters places a priority on achieving success with smart metering and served on the provincial steering committee for the implementation of smart meters in Ontario. He was also appointed to serve on the on the board of the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA).
Mr. Ceksters holds a B.Sc. In Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a 31 veteran of the electric utility business. He has extensive experience in all aspects of electrical distribution and was an active member of many industry associations and committees. In 2005, Mr. Ceksters was awarded the EDA Chair’s Citation for recognition of years of outstanding dedicated service to the association and the industry.
Colin Andersen
Ontario Power Authority, Chief Executive Officer
Colin Andersen was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) in September 2008.
Prior to joining the OPA, Mr. Andersen held a variety of senior financial and policy positions in the Ontario Public Service, playing a lead role in asset management, infrastructure investments and intergovernmental negotiations. Most recently, he was Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Finance; Secretary of Treasury Board; Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Revenue; Chair of the Ontario Financing Authority and Chair of the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation.
Mr. Andersen has a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary.
The OPA is responsible for ensuring a reliable, long-term supply of electricity for Ontario, focusing on promoting conservation, planning for the long term, and procuring generation resources.
John Sabiston
Manager, Transmission Planning & Generation Connections / Transmission System Development, Hydro One Networks Inc.
Mr. Sabiston is a registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario and has been employed by Hydro One and its predecessor companies since 1978, a period of 33 years, primarily in the power system planning and operations areas. John is currently accountable for activities concerning transmission network planning, customer load connections to the transmission network and new generation connections to the transmission network for the portion of southern Ontario from Mississauga and Barrie westwards to Michigan including the Niagara Peninsula. This comprises close to 50% of the total Ontario customer load and a significant amount of the generation. This also includes the interconnections with both New York and Michigan.
Mr. Sabiston is also accountable for the contracting activities and Customer Impact Assessment studies for all transmission connected generation projects to Hydro One for the entire province. He has been active with the Northeast Power Coordinating Council, NPCC, since 1987 and served as the Chair of the NPCC Task Force on Coordination of Planning, TFCP, for 2008 and 2009.
John Fuerth
Manager, Distributed Generation Connection Planning, Hydro One Networks Inc.
Mr. Fuerth is a Professional Engineer with 32 years experience in the electric power industry, including over 20 years in distribution system engineering and planning. In his current role he is responsible for the completion of impact assessment studies and determination of technical interconnection requirements, related to Distributed Generation applications for connection to the Hydro One distribution system. His group – the Generation Connections Department at Hydro One – has assessed almost 1000 applications for connection over the past few years. The group also works with other Distributors, or LDCs, to assess their Generation applications with respect to the impact at the upstream Hydro One transformer station or TS.
Brian Dickieson
Senior Supervisor/Manager, Generation Connections Coordination /Work Management & Technical Services, Hydro One Networks Inc.
Mr. Dickieson has worked for Hydro One/Ontario Hydro for 24 years. He started his Hydro career in Control Maintenance Pickering Nuclear, spent 14 Years in the customer service side of Provincial Lines and 7 years in Program Development. Brian is currently accountable for coordinating the connections of generators with regards to Provincial Lines (i.e. getting the Generators physically connected). He is also accountable for internal process, training and reporting of generation connections.
Jason Gray
VP & Country Manager, SunEdison
Jason Gray leads SunEdison’s strategic operations in Canada. In this role, he oversees the development, financing, and construction of all ground-mount and rooftop solar PV installations in the country. Mr. Gray works closely with provincial regulatory entities to help develop the marketplace and to help make solar energy a viable renewable energy solution for Canada. He is responsible for developing and activating over 27 MW of projects for SunEdison, including First Light; Canada's first operational solar energy park, a 9.1 MW ground-mount power plant located in Stone Mills, Ontario. More recently, Mr. Gray championed SunEdison’s investment in the manufacturing of both solar PV panels and racking equipment in Ontario.
Prior to joining SunEdison, Mr. Gray worked at MNP, an accounting, consulting, and corporate finance firm, where he oversaw client engagements focused on energy and supply-chain management. Among his many assignments, he represented First Nation as the lead financial negotiator in the largest run-of-river IPP project in Canada. Prior to this role, he worked as an independent consultant in the oil and gas sector and served as Cargill Inc.’s Canadian Regulatory Affairs Superintendent.
Mr. Gray holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Calgary.
David Rogers
President & CEO, AMP Solar Group
Dave Rogers is the founder and CEO of AMP Solar Group, a solar energy developer focused on rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy asset development in emerging renewable energy markets. AMP originates, finances, develops and manages solar assets long-term and works with bankable manufacturers and EPC firms as the platform for growth and scale.
Prior to founding AMP Solar Group, Dave worked at Front Street Capital, Canada’s largest independent energy investment Management firm in Toronto, as Vice President of Carbon Origination and Investments. He was responsible for sourcing global investments in the carbon offset origination and renewable energy field as well as facilitating the purchase, sale and trading of carbon credits, both privately and through public exchanges. Dave established the Front Street Capital Carbon Fund in 2007 and established a diverse portfolio of investments within the Kyoto market and the North American pre-compliance market as well as overseeing the voluntary carbon trading activities within the firm.
Prior to joining Front Street, Dave worked in a number of roles that most recently included leading the North American Carbon strategy within the Direct Energy Business Markets division of Centrica LC, a leading global energy firm.
Christian Wentzel
CEO, Ontario Solar Provider
Mr. Wentzel has a long-standing global track record in investing in and financing energy projects. His previous work experiences include Energy M&A at Credit Suisse, and Investment Research for Electric Utilities at Goldman Sachs, both in New York for the North American market. Before starting up Ontario Solar Provider, Mr. Wentzel was a Managing Director and Co-Founder at enlux Solar GmbH of Germany, a solar PV development, investment and installation firm. He has more than 1,000 kW in his family's portfolio of PV plants.
Mr. Wentzel received a BA in Economics from Columbia University, an MBA from the London Business School and is a CFA charter holder.
Max Cananzi
CEO, Horizon Utilities
President & CEO of Horizon Utilities Corporation. Mr. Cananzi has over 20 years experience in the energy and utility sector. Mr. Cananzi has been a strong advocate for electric utility consolidations in Ontario. His current focus is on growing the business through mergers and acquisitions with like-minded utility partners and on delivering sustainable and innovative energy solutions for customers. He is currently a Director on the boards of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), Electricity Distributors Association (EDA), and MEARIE, an electrical reciprocal insurance exchange. Mr. Cananzi is a Professional Engineer with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto. He holds an MBA in Finance from York University.
Jack Simpson
VP, Generation, Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc.
In his role as Vice-President, Generation, for Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc., Jack Simpson is responsible for the development, construction and operation of clean and green generation projects. He has extensive knowledge and experience in energy management and the utility industry. Over the past six years with Toronto Hydro Energy Services, Jack has played a key role in implementing efficiency, load management and generation projects for customers. He was an early advocate of green generation projects, responsible for the 750kW wind turbine at Exhibition Place and the 36kW photovoltaic system at 500 Commissioners St. in Toronto.
As a Professional Engineer with 16 years industry experience, Jack has worked for Ontario Hydro as Plant Engineer and Energy Analyst, with Ameresco as Project Engineer and Project Manager and for SNC Lavalin as Engineering Manager. He holds a Masters of Engineering from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Engineering from Ryerson Polytechnic University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics from the University of Waterloo. In addition, Jack is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and holds the Certified Energy Manager designation from the Association of Energy Engineers.
January 27, 2011 Monthly Networking Reception
Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan, Election Year Politics & The Implications for Solar
Randy Williamson
Aird & Berlis LLP, Strategic Decisions Advisor
Randy Williamson is a partner at Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis LLP, advising private companies and their owner-managers, private equity and venture capital investors, and public issuers, on acquisitions and divestitures, senior and subordinated debt and equity financings, and business structures. Randy also helps companies structure and negotiate shareholder, partnership, joint venture, outsourcing, distribution and licensing arrangements. Randy has a particular focus on organizations participating in Canada’s growing renewable energy and clean technology sectors (the ‘clean economy’), and is a leader in Aird & Berlis’ India initiative, advising Canadian and Indian companies on cross-border opportunities.
Prior to returning to Bay Street in 2005, Randy owned and operated three business services companies, outsourcing critical operating, marketing/communication, and HR functions for businesses large and small. Previously, Randy was a senior executive with a multi-billion dollar public industrial products company, responsible for corporate development and treasury/finance matters, and a partner in another prominent Toronto law firm. Randy was originally trained as a Chartered Accountant, and holds the CICA’s speciality Corporate Finance qualification.
Randy devotes substantial time to community organizations, including as founding Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni; Chair of the Investment and Audit Committee and Governing Council member at St. James Cathedral, Toronto; Vice-Chair of York University’s Alumni Board; Board and Investment Committee member of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund; past President of Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship; past founding Board member of Ontario’s Promise to Children and Youth; and past Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Randy was honoured with Queen Elizabeth II’s 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal for Community Service and was twice Toronto’s Big Brother of the Year.
Randy received his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto, his C.A. while with Ernst & Young LLP in Toronto and his Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Randy lives in Toronto.
Further details of Randy’s background can be found at http://www.airdberlis.com/Templates/Lawyers/LawyerBio.aspx?LawyerID=203&page=8 and http://ca.linkedin.com/in/randywilliamson.
Gunars Ceksters
Ontario Solar Network, Chair (see above)
Dr. Jan Carr
Jan Carr was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Power Authority from the time of its founding in January 2005 until September 2008. Prior to that, he was Vice Chair of the Ontario Energy Board during its transition from a government department to a self-funding independently operated tribunal.
Dr. Carr has 38 years of experience in the electricity sector as a professional engineer, holding senior positions in the design and planning of electricity transmission and distribution systems. He has worked on projects in many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. He has been a consultant to utilities, governments and other stakeholders on the financial, business, strategic and policy aspects of the electric power industry.
He is a member of the boards and the audit committees of both the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and Legend Power Systems. AESO is responsible for long-range planning of the Alberta electricity system as well as its operation through a competitive wholesale electricity market. Legend is a publicly traded designer, manufacturer and marketer of electronic energy conservation equipment for commercial and institutional buildings. He is also an independent member of Gowlings International Strategic Advisory Group, providing business advice to both the firm’s international law practice and its clients.
Dr. Carr formerly served on the Board of Directors of both TransAlta Power, a publicly traded generation company, and Macquarie Canadian Infrastructure Management, a privately held infrastructure investment fund. He was a member of the Advisory Committee on Competition in Ontario’s Electricity System (the Macdonald Committee) and Chairman of the Electricity Task Force of the Toronto Board of Trade. He was a publicly elected Commissioner and Chairman of the municipally-owned electric utility serving the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and a board member and regional Chair of the Municipal Electric Association (today’s Electricity Distributors Association) in Ontario.
In 2007 he was awarded a medal for Management by the Ontario Professional Engineers. He received an honourary degree from the University of Waterloo in 2010.
Robert Silver
Robert Silver is a Partner at Crestview. He most recently served as President of Dynamic Policy Consulting, Ontario’s leading Public Policy and Government relations firm focused solely on the province’s energy and infrastructure sectors.
Robert was recently named as one of 2010′s international political “rising stars” by Campaigns and Elections magazine. He was the only Canadian who received the honour. Robert serves as the Ontario representative of the Canadian-America Business Council and was recently named a member of the prestigious Banff Forum.
An active federal and provincial Liberal, Robert was a senior policy advisor to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty from 2003-2005 and also acted as Gerard Kennedy’s National Policy Director during the 2006 Liberal Leadership Campaign.
In addition to running Dynamic Policy Consulting, Robert writes a regular blog for The Globe and Mail that focuses on national, provincial and local political and policy issues. Robert is also a regular contributor on television and radio commenting on a wide-range of issues for the CBC, CityTV amongst other outlets. Robert is the co-owner of Toronto’s leading city-focused website (Torontoist) that he purchased with two partners in early 2009.
He received his law degree from the University of Western Ontario, where he won two North American and two Canadian National Debating Championships.
November 25, 2010 Monthly Networking Reception
Sebastian Seyfarth
Before working in his present capacity as President & COO of Ontario Solar Provider, Sebastian Seyfarth enjoyed a long and illustrious career within the renewable energy space, helping to create over 45,000kW of solar capacity worldwide. Holding a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Ludwig-Maximilians University, Mr. Seyfarth began his journey in Spain when he joined New Energy Invest’s Project Management division to finalize development, construction, and financing of a 23.5MW installation. In the Czech Republic and Italy, Mr. Seyfarth oversaw more than 10MW as the Managing Director of MEP Solar Management, offering his expertise in due diligence and acquisition to help develop various solar projects. He continued his career with MEP Solar Management, launching over 10MW of PV capacity in North America. With years of experience and a proven track record in sustainability and innovation, Mr. Seyfarth offers a wealth of business insights for both veteran solar stakeholders and those just starting out.
Gary Thompson
Gary Thompson is currently Supervisor Generation Planning & Transmission Capacity with Toronto Hydro Electric System Limited, where he currently works in the Capacity Planning Department – Asset Management Division. An MBA degree holder, Mr. Thompson is a Professional Engineer, registered in Ontario and the United Kingdom. He brings over 20 years of experience in the electrical transmission and distribution industry, with a special focus on the manufacture, design, and operation of equipment and systems. When Mr. Thompson is not busy as a part-time professor at Sheridan College teaching Power Systems and Industrial Control, he spends his spare time working in his community.
Ted Wojcinski
Ted Wojcinski has over 30 years of experience in the electrical distribution industry. Beginning his career with Toronto Hydro, Mr. Wojcinski spent 11 years in the Distribution Planning and Design department in various project engineering and supervisory positions with a special focus on underground distribution engineering. In 1991, he joined Hydro Vaughan as Operations Manager, responsible for Construction, Station Maintenance, Protection & Control, and System Control activities. In 2004, Markham Hydro and Hydro Vaughan, co-owners of Richmond Hill Hydro, amalgamated to form PowerStream. In 2010 Mr. Wojcinski was appointed to his current position of Vice President, Engineering Planning.
Mr. Wojcinski’s past activities in the industry include being Chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Toronto Section (1991 – 1993), member of the OEB PBR Task Force (1999), Service Quality Task Force (2003-2004), Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association’s Central District (2003-2007), and member of the Electricity Distributors Association’s Operations Council (2007-2009).
Mr. Wojcinski is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario and is a Senior Member of the IEEE. He received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1980 and Management & Administration (CIM) certification in 1988.
