Faces of the Industry award highlights the work of six
individuals who have shown outstanding achievement within the
electricity sector.
OTTAWA,
ON, April 30, 2024 /CNW/ - For his
outstanding leadership across four decades in the electricity
sector, Fortis Inc.'s Executive Vice-President Operations
Gary Smith is a recipient of
Electricity Canada's first-ever Faces of the Industry award.
The Faces of the Industry award highlights the work of six
individuals who have shown outstanding achievement within the
electricity sector. These individuals have demonstrated innovation
and leadership and come from every part of the industry including
executive leadership, communications, engineering, safety and
public engagement.
Gary has been with the Fortis group of companies his entire
career. Before his most current role, Gary served as President and
CEO of Newfoundland Power, Vice-President of Operations and
Engineering at FortisAlberta, and Executive Vice President of
Eastern Canadian and Caribbean Operations at Fortis Inc.
Gary's current responsibilities span the entire operation of Fortis
Inc, with $66 billion in assets in 18
locations and close 10,000 employees. Gary has shown leadership in
the organization on the energy transition, reliability, safety and
expanding access to the grid.
Gary has provided executive-level oversight of operations during
major power outages, including ones caused by Hurricane Fiona and
Hurricane Irma. In the latter instance he led Fortis' mutual
response effort to restore power to Turks and Caicos, when
Hurricane Irma cut power to all critical functions on the islands
in 2017. Additionally, Gary was instrumental in Fortis' partnership
on the Wataynikanetap Transmission Project, which will connect 17
remote First Nations communities to the Ontario power grid – the largest First Nations
majority-owned infrastructure in Canada.
The Faces of the Industry awards were given out at a reception
in Ottawa yesterday evening. The
recipients will be featured in a social media campaign during
National Electricity Month in June.
QUOTES:
"Gary Smith has made an
incredible impact to the electricity sector not only in
Canada but across the globe. When
you look at all the major issues facing electricity providers –
ensuring reliability, expanding access to the grid, getting ready
for the energy transition, equity sharing with Indigenous peoples
and restoring power safely and quickly – Gary is at the forefront
of every single one of them. His achievements are incredible and
will have a legacy. Electricity Canada is proud to have Gary as one of the
first recipients of our Faces of the Industry award."
-Francis Bradley,
President and CEO, Electricity Canada
"We are pleased to see Gary Smith
recognized by Electricity Canada with a Faces of the Industry
Award. Gary is highly valued for his leadership at Fortis, and
equally respected for his immense contributions to the electric and
gas utility sector and the community at large. He stands out among
his peers, and we are grateful to have him on our team."
-David G.
Hutchens, President and CEO, Fortis
Inc.
About Electricity
Canada:
Founded in 1891, Electricity Canada (formerly the Canadian
Electricity Association) is the national forum and voice of the
evolving and innovative electricity business in Canada. The Association supports, through its
advocacy efforts, the regional, national, and international success
of its members. Electricity Canada
members generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy to
industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional customers
across Canada. Members include
integrated electric utilities, independent power producers,
transmission and distribution companies, power marketers, and
system operators, who together deliver electricity to all
Canadians, in every province and territory.
SOURCE Electricity Canada