THUNDER BAY — The new president and chief executive officer of Synergy North hails from Nova Scotia.
Rene Gallant will start in mid-November, and will take over from interim president and CEO Andrew Covello who was appointed following the retirement of Tim Wilson in May.
In an announcement Wednesday, the Synergy North board of directors said Gallant brings over 19 years of leadership and industry expertise to the job, including several senior management positions.
He most recently served as vice-president of strategy and engagement for Nova Scotia Power, and previously worked as the chief operating officer of New Mexico Gas Company, and as a vice-president at Tampa Electric Company in Florida.
Gallant was hired by Synergy North after a national search which the board said attracted several strong candidates.
"This is a critical time for electricity distributors in Ontario," he said in a prepared statement. "The strong safety culture, reliability record and commitment to customers positions Synergy North well to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead."
In addition to being president and CEO of the utility that serves customers in both Thunder Bay and Kenora, Gallant will assume the positions of president and CEO of Thunder Bay Hydro Corporation, Thunder Bay Hydro Utility Services Inc., and Thunder Bay Hydro Renewable Power Incorporated.
