The Manitoba government has appointed new leadership to the boards of Manitoba Hydro and Efficiency Manitoba. James Wilson has been appointed chair of the Manitoba Hydro board of directors, following his service as vice-chair. Nicole Chabot, who is currently serving on the board of directors, has now been named vice-chair.
“Manitoba Hydro is the crown jewel of our province and the key to building an affordable life, a dynamic economy and a clean energy future,” said Finance Minister Adrian Sala. “I’m pleased to welcome James Wilson into his new role as chair. Not only does he bring an important perspective to Manitoba Hydro’s governance as the utility’s first Indigenous chair, but he also understands the significance of a utility that is invested in Indigenous communities, in creating good jobs and an affordable life for working people and in Manitoba’s broader economic development.”
The government also announced new appointments to the Efficiency Manitoba board. Duane Nicol has been named chair and Cindy Choy has been named vice-chair, with both having previously served as board members. Leilani Esteban Villarba has been appointed as a new board member of Efficiency Manitoba.
“Duane Nicol brings the expertise of a successful career in municipal governance and has spearheaded local efforts to find practical clean energy solutions for municipalities and Manitobans,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes, minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba. “With him at the helm, Efficiency Manitoba will continue to build toward a sustainable and affordable energy future for our province.”
Both ministers thanked departing board chairs, Ben Graham of Manitoba Hydro and Jeanette Montufar of Efficiency Manitoba, as well as outgoing Manitoba Hydro board member Mike Spence for their dedication and leadership.
Biographies
Chair, Manitoba Hydro Board – James Wilson currently serves as vice-president, Indigenous strategy, research and business development, RRC Polytech. He has held senior public service roles as deputy minister of growth, enterprise and trade and as treaty commissioner of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. He was also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for community service.
Chair, Efficiency Manitoba Board – Duane Nicol is the chief administrative officer for the City of Selkirk and an instructor at the University of Manitoba. He recently received the inaugural Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Leadership in Municipal Administration.
Vice-chair, Efficiency Manitoba Board – Cindy Choy is a developer and manager of a modular and mobile home park in Brandon that focuses on development and construction of small, energy-efficient and affordable homes. Choy was previously director of the Manitoba Green Building Program with the Manitoba government and is currently chair of Sustainable Building Manitoba.
Director, Efficiency Manitoba Board – Leilani Esteban Villarba is the executive director of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation in Winnipeg. She has previous experience as an early years director at Tots in Elmwood and holds a human resources management certificate as well as a child and youth practitioner diploma from RRC Polytech.
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Featured image: James Wilson. Credit: RRC Polytech.
