As the leading Canadian conference dedicated to discussing the future of Canada’s utilities, this event brought together leaders from across the utilities community. Some of the key topics we covered were:
These discussions have helped to advance the Canadian utilities sector. Thank you for being a part of it. We look forward to seeing you in 2017 when we will continue the conversation with the latest developments in this field.
Joel Austin is the Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Oncor, the sixth largest electric Transmission and Distribution Company in the United States. As head of Oncor’s Information Technology organization, Austin is responsible for strategy, information security, new systems development, production operations, inclusive of all networks and field telecommunications, and management of Oncor’s extensive sourcing relationships.
Beginning five years ago, Oncor initiated one of the most comprehensive advanced grid investment programs. As a result of this $1-billion-per-year investment program, Oncor is quickly proving itself a technology company as much as an electric utility. Austin oversees the implementation and operation of information technology platforms and communication networks, as well as management of the massive influx of data that enables the company to improve grid operation and customer interaction. He also is responsible for safeguarding Oncor’s data, ensuring that Oncor’s and its customers’ data is managed and secured in the safest way possible and meets the highest industry standards.
Under his leadership, Oncor’s grid, one of the nation’s most advanced smart grids, safely communicates billions of bits of data through a secure network while its power lines move electricity to 3.2 million homes and businesses in Texas. The data is used by Oncor to measure the amount of electricity its customers are using and is available for Oncor’s customers to monitor their electric usage through web-enabled solutions that can help them lower their electric bills. In 2012, Austin was part of the team that linked Oncor’s advanced metering system with its outage management system, allowing for wireless and automatic communication and repair of potential power issues on the grid.
He has more than 27 years of experience in the energy, finance and software industries at Informix, ENSERCH, Deloitte & Touché and the Texas Utility companies, where he has held a number of business operations, IT and leadership roles.
Austin serves on several educational and civic boards, including the Information Technology Operations Management Advisory Board at Southern Methodist University and Treasurer, and Board Member for the North Texas Business Council for the Arts.
Austin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in business from the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
Lawrence Slade is the CEO of Energy UK. Lawrence was Energy UK's first Chief Operating Officer when it was formed in 2012 and had specific responsibility for all energy supply activities including retail markets, smart metering & grids, energy efficiency and consumer engagement.
Lawrence has been involved in the energy industry since the 1990’s working in many countries building an understanding of the geopolitics of energy and how the sector is central to everyday life and thriving economies. He believes innovation can harness new sources of energy, helping generate and use energy more efficiently while ensuring our power sector is resilient as it moves to a low-carbon economy.
Lawrence ran the Energy Retail Association before Energy UK and previously ran the Society of Petroleum Engineers, expanding the society's operations in Russia, the Caspian and Africa. He was also Deputy CEO and Technical Director of the Energy Institute in London.
Peter Fraser is Vice President, Industry Operations and Performance at the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the energy regulator in the province of Ontario, Canada. This Division focuses on the OEB’s interface with industry, including the OEB’s regulations, licensing, and the reporting, assessment and audit of utility performance.
Prior to joining the OEB in 2004, Peter worked for six years at the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, France, as senior electricity policy advisor and spent nearly nine years as energy policy advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Energy. Peter holds master’s degrees in physics from Queen’s University and in environmental studies from York University and a BSc in physics from the University of Toronto.
Jim is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Entegrus Inc. and has been with Entegrus since 2001. Prior to joining Entegrus, Jim worked in leadership positions in finance and regulatory in utility companies in the gas, water, electrical and cable television sectors.
Under Jim’s leadership Entegrus has purchased and merged with 3 other Utilities in South-western Ontario which brings the total communities served to 16 and has been active in promoting large renewable projects in South Western Ontario.
Jim is active in the Ontario Energy sector as the past Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association and a participant in the Ontario Energy Board Chair’s Leadership Roundtable and Industry Advisory Steering Committee.
He has a Certified General Accountants Designation and an MBA from the University of Windsor. Jim also recently obtained the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation from The Directors College (a joint venture of McMaster University and The Conference Board of Canada).
