Jeff Mocha
BOARD CHAIR
Jeff is the Chief Engineering & Innovation Officer at OEC―a group of companies that specializes in providing energy and infrastructure services solutions. Stakeholders include infrastructure owners within the electricity, telecommunications, gas and municipal sectors. In his role, Jeff is responsible for the Engineering Business Operations, Enterprise Innovation, and Technology Services, while also leading the delivery of cutting-edge, forward-thinking capabilities that will support the rapid evolution of digital technology and continuous transformation within the energy sector. Jeff has over 20 years of industry experience, holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, and an EMBA graduate from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Prior to joining OEC, Jeff worked in steel manufacturing where he delivered thought leadership for the advancement of innovative power system solutions. Jeff originally joined OEC’s engineering team where he successfully oversaw major projects and achieved significant enhancements in the field of asset management. Jeff was also instrumental in advancing the automation of a 24/7 electricity distribution control room, reducing power outages in the service territory.
Troy Kearns
FOUNDING SEAT – TREASURER
Troy has spent the last 20+ years dedicated to leadership and management excellence at companies such as iMagicTV, Provinent, Bell Aliant, and now Siemens Canada Ltd. Troy joined Siemens in 2013 and has held a number of roles including Director of the Smart Grid Centre of Competence and Head of Energy Business Advisory. Troy is currently the Head of Power Technologies International at Siemens Canada, which consists of the Energy Business Advisory (EBA) management and smart grid consulting business, the Power Systems Consulting (PSC) business, and the new Critical Infrastructure Protection cyber business. A former graduate of UNB’s Technology Management and Entrepreneurship program, Troy has been teaching Managing Engineering and IT Projects at the university since 2004, and was recognized with the Leadership in Education Award in 2013 for dedication in education and community. Troy completed his undergraduate degree at Carleton University in Ottawa. Troy earned his PMP in 2001, and is a former PMI-NB board member, serving from 2002-2007 as Director of Membership, President Elect, President and Past-President. Troy is also the current President of Triathlon New Brunswick.
Nicole Poirier
FOUNDING SEAT
Nicole Poirier is the Vice President, Operations at NB Power since July 2022. For over 100 years, NB Power has been providing New Brunswickers with a secure, reliable and competitively priced supply of electricity. The utility operates and maintains one of North America’s most diverse generating systems consisting hydro, coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas and diesel generating stations as well as a solar farm.
Nicole leads the teams responsible for safe, reliable generation (conventional), distribution and transmission of power across New Brunswick. She also oversees the teams responsible for System Operations, Project Management Office and Engineering.
During her 35 year career at NB Power, Nicole has held many roles in the company such as Executive Director of Transmission and Distribution, Director of Health and Safety and Environment and Emergency Preparedness, Director of Nuclear Business Services, Director of Supply Chain and Fleet, and Director of Regulatory Affairs.
Nicole is a member of Electricity Canada and serves as the chair of the T-Council, and is a member of D-Council. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1990. Nicole also obtained a Human Resource Management Certification from the University of New Brunswick in 2003. In 2012, Nicole also obtained a Lean Sigma Black Belt Certification.
Dr. David MaGee
FOUNDING SEAT
A native New Brunswicker, received his PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from UNB in 1987 under the direction of Professor Zdenek Valenta. Following a two-year NSERC post-doctoral fellowship with Professor Robert K. Boeckman, Jr. at the University of Rochester, began my tenure at UNB as an Assistant in the department of Chemistry. I was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995 and to full professor in 2000. While at UNB my administrative service included Chair of the Department of Chemistry (1999-2007), Dean of Science (2008-2017) and Vice-President Research (2017-present). In my current role as Vice-President Research I provide leadership and vision in shaping UNB’s strategic research direction and agenda. As Vice-President (Research) I serve on a number of Boards, both regionally and nationally, including but not limited to, New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization, SpringBoard Atlantic, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, BioNB, Canadian Consortium of Ocean Research Universities, Huntsman Marine Centre and AceNet. My area of research is mainly in the development of new and/or simpler ways to make biologically-interesting and structurally-challenging natural products. In recent years I have had a number of research collaborations with academic (Dalhousie, Acadia, Shahid Beheshti University Tehran) government (Canadian Forestry Services, Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources) and private (JDI-Ltd, Sylvar, Agrifor, Forest Protection Limited) organizations. Over my career I have published 47 peer-reviewed research papers in a number of prestigious national and international journals, and I have 5 patents. I have presented over 66 papers at various national and international conferences, and been an invited speaker on 17 other occasions. I have also served as an external examiner for numerous PhD theses and refereed over 170 papers for 34 different journals and 38 grant proposals for national and international granting organizations.
Rachele Levin
POLICY REPRESENTATIVE
Rachele Levin is an energy and climate change expert with provincial, federal, and international experience in policy and programming related to energy sector decarbonization. At Natural Resources Canada, Rachele leads a team in developing policy related to energy decarbonization. Rachele’s time at the Ontario Energy Board included leading the OEB’s energy transition work and developing and managing Canada’s first energy innovation sandbox. Rachele has authored the Policy Landscape chapter of REN21’s annual international renewable energy report. She is an enthusiastic thought leader in all things related to energy transition, decarbonization, innovation and energy policy.
Dorothy Moryc
UTILITY REPRESENTATIVE
Dorothy Moryc is the Vice-President of Grid Transformation at Enova Power Corp (formerly Waterloo North Hydro). She gained extensive knowledge of electrical utilities and the electricity system while working on leading-edge projects and volunteering in numerous working groups and committees within the sector. Dorothy is a progressive leader who has consistently contributed to the Ontario electric utility industry. A dynamic innovator for change, Dorothy is not afraid to “dive right in” for the betterment of the energy sector. Dorothy holds a BASc degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, MBA from Ivey Business School at Western University, and is a member of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) association.
Natasha Kettle
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Natasha holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland and is a registered Professional Engineer. She started her career as an electrical design engineer, working with BC Hydro and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. In 2019, she joined Mysa Smart Thermostats, a cleantech start-up based in St. John’s. There, she helped utilities across North America integrate smart technologies into their grids. In 2021, Natasha pursued her Master’s degree in Global Energy Transition and Governance; her thesis focused on how Canada can unlock demand-side potential through residential demand response. Currently Natasha works as the Director of Analytics and Insights at the Building Decarbonization Alliance, and initiative of the Transition Accelerator. Natasha is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and sustainability, and also sits on the Newfoundland and Labrador Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Advisory Council.
Bruce Cameron
VENDOR REPRESENTATIVE
Bala Venkatesh
ACADEMIA REPRESENTATIVE
Dr. Bala Venkatesh is the founding academic director of the Centre for Urban Energy (CUE) at Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson). He is also a tenured professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering.
He specializes in electric power systems with interests in transmission and distribution systems, renewables, energy storage and smart grids. He works with industry partners such as Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, the Independent Electricity System Operator, Schneider Electric, Alectra Utilities and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.
With a Ph.D. from Anna University (India), Dr. Venkatesh is a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada. Since 1994, he has also taught at the University of New Brunswick, Multimedia University (Malaysia) and Anna University.