Board Members

Stephen Somerville – Chair

Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, H2O Power LP

Stephen has worked in the power industry for 21 years, including all types of hydro, natural gas-fired generation, wind, solar, biomass, and biogas. Stephen leads and executes H2O’s growth strategy; he is responsible for the acquisition, development, and financing of hydroelectric projects across North America. Stephen lead multi-disciplinary teams in the successful acquisition of sixteen U.S. hydro facilities representing almost 1,400 MW of nameplate capacity. 

Read more...

Previously, Stephen was a Vice President with Competitive Power Ventures (“CPV”), Inc. where he was responsible for the development of all CPV’s natural gas-fired power generation development projects (and associated natural gas pipeline and transmission lines) and large scale wind projects, across Canada. Prior to joining CPV, Stephen was a member of the Probyn & Company and Clean Power Income Fund team responsible for business development and acquisitions. Stephen has experience working with the IESO, the Ministry of Energy, and various First Nations Groups across Canada and is a member of the Board of both the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (“APPrO”) and Ontario Water Power Association (OWA). Stephen has also been the APPrO Annual Conference Chair from 2005 through 2021. Stephen holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and an Honours B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Waterloo.

Paul Young – Vice Chair

Vice-President of Generation Development, Orillia Power Generation Corporation

Paul Young is Vice President of Generation Development at Orillia Power Generation Corporation. He oversees the operation of three hydroelectric generation stations totaling 15 MW. He actively pursues new business ventures including hydroelectric and solar projects in Ontario. Paul directs the activities of supervisors and technical staff; develops and administers operating and capital budgets, review workforce resources and equipment and ensure all applicable regulatory requirements are met. 

Read more...

Prior to joining Orillia Power, he worked at Gemini Power, and prior to that Paul managed a small Hydro practice within IBI Group, where he was responsible for undertaking feasibility studies, design, approval, and construction management for over twenty-five waterpower projects mainly in Ontario but also across Canada and abroad (Zimbabwe, Philippines, Bolivia). Paul holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil) from the University of Toronto and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario.

James Carter – Treasurer

Vice President, Development & Operations, Regional Power

Mr. Carter has more than 18 years of experience in the independent power industry and has focused primarily on the development, permitting, construction, and operations of hydroelectric generating facilities. Since 2002 he has developed, permitted, and is now responsible for operating 51 MW of generating capacity for Regional Power. He has also permitted a 25 MW development-stage project, and two projects (19 MW total) which are under construction and will be complete in early 2016. 

Read more...

James also manages Capstone Infrastructure’s portfolio of operating hydro sites totaling 36 MW and is actively pursuing new business development opportunities in the international renewable energy space for partnership, development, or investment by Regional Power.

Bill Touzel (CPA/CA) – Secretary

President, TBSi

Bill Touzel has been immersed in Renewable Energy and Environmental Science industries for over 30 years. In addition to executive leaderships and entrepreneurial roles with consultancy and technology companies, he is directly involved in waterpower project development, construction, and operations in Canada and abroad, on behalf of many public and private sector clients. He is also co-owner/operator of a run-of-river Hydro Low Generating Station, giving him direct hands-on experience in all aspects of the waterpower industry.

Read more...

Bill has been a member at various times of several board of directors. For several years he was a member of the Project Peer Review Committee for the FCM “Green Municipal Fund” and was once nominated for the Canadian Business “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, and “Employer of the Year” by ECO Canada. He has spearheaded several corporate development initiatives, including the acquisition of a public company by RTO, and the acquisition of sale of several waterpower facilities, an analytical laboratory, and three environmental engineering businesses. Bill has been active in the OWA for over a decade, particularly in areas related to First Nations capacity building, environmental assessment, and regulatory issues.

Nicholas Pender – Director

Vice President of Energy Markets, Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

Nick Pender is the Vice President of Niagara Operations, Ontario Power Generation. Nick provides strategic direction to local operations, maintenance and projects. In his previous role at OPG as Vice President, Energy Markets, Nick was accountable for the strategy and performance of energy market related activities including generating contracts with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Ontario market affairs, the 24/7 power control centre and trading activities in Ontario and the US North East. 

Read more...

Nick currently sits on the board of Ontario Water Association and Nanticoke Solar Inc and was a former Chair of the Canadian Electricity Association Power Marketing Council and an active member of the Energy Transformation Network of Ontario.

Bonnie Hiltz – Director

Vice President, Energy, and the Environment, Sussex Strategy

Bonnie Hiltz has over a decade and a half of experience working in Ontario’s electricity sector. Since 2005, Bonnie has been intimately involved with the evolution of electricity supply policies, having worked at both the Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (now the IESO). She has contributed to the design and implementation of the coal phase-out strategy and multiple supply procurements for renewable and gas generation. She was also involved in contract management functions for billions of dollars of supply agreements with the OPA/IESO. 

Read more...

Bonnie left the public sector in 2014 to oversee Government and Regulatory Affairs for a major international utility and energy services provider. In this role, she advised on supply and de-carbonization policies and assisted business development efforts across Canada. In her current role as Vice President in the Energy and Environment group at Sussex Strategy, Bonnie serves a number of clients in the energy sector as they navigate the complex government and regulatory environment. Bonnie has previously served on the Boards of the Canadian Solar Industries Association and the Canadian Wind Energy Association (now merged as the Canadian Renewable Energy Association). She has an M.A. in International Relations and Political Science from the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto. She is fluent in French and Spanish and has lived in the United States, France, Switzerland and Costa Rica.

John B. Wynsma – Director

Vice President, Generation & Retail Services, Peterborough Utilities Inc.

John has been involved in the waterpower industry for over thirty years in a variety of roles: consultant, project manager, business development and senior management. His experience encompasses diverse regions including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the Philippines; and a wide range of hydroelectric technologies. In his current position as Vice President of Generation & Retail Services for Peterborough Utilities Inc., John has led the growth of the organization’s renewable generation portfolio from 6 MW to approximately 50 MW, including the successful development and expansion of a number of waterpower projects under various IESO programs. 

Read more...

John has been an active member of the Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) for many years, participating as a panelist in numerous Power of Water Canada conference sessions, and as a member of the OWA team responsible for negotiating HCI contracts with the IESO.

Jon Atkinson – Director

Director, Business Development & Regional Manager (Ontario) – Hydropower & Dams, Hatch

Jon is the Director of Business Development and Regional Manager (Ontario) for Hydropower and Dams at Hatch. He provides leadership for both projects and business development activities and has over 20 years of experience in consulting in the management and design of hydropower projects, and in leading engineering teams. This includes projects ranging from concept to commissioning, as well as due diligence and independent engineering assessments.