Hear from these leaders:

Massoud Amin,
Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor, Director,
Center for the Development of Technological Leadership,
University of Minnesota

Dr. Massoud Amin, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, holds the Honeywell/H.W. Sweatt Chair in Technological Leadership, and is the Director of the Center for the Development of Technological Leadership at the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities. In addition to his administrative and research responsibilities, he serves as the director of graduate studies for the management of technology program and teaches several courses including MOT 8920 (Science & Technology Policy), MOT 8224 (Pivotal & Emerging Technologies), MOT 8940 (Intellectual Property Valuation & Strategy), MOT 8950 (International MOT Project), MOT8234 (Capstone Project), and ISE 5302 (Critical Infrastructure Security and Protection).

His research focuses on two areas: 1) Global transition dynamics to enhance resilience, agility, security and efficiency of complex dynamic systems. These systems include national critical infrastructures for interdependent energy, computer networks, communications, transportation and economic systems. 2) Technology scanning, mapping, and valuation to identify new science and technology-based opportunities that meet the needs and aspirations of today's consumers, companies and the broader society. This thrust builds coherence between short- and longer-term R&D opportunities and their potential impact.

Prior to joining the University of Minnesota in March 2003, Dr. Amin held positions of increased responsibility including Area Manager of Infrastructure Security, Grid Operations/Planning, and Energy Markets at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in Palo Alto, California. In the aftermath of the tragic events of 9/11, he directed all security-related research and development at EPRI, including the Infrastructure Security Initiative (ISI) and the Enterprise Information Security (EIS). Prior to October 2001, he served as manager of mathematics and information science at EPRI, where he led strategic research in modeling, simulation, optimization, and adaptive control of national infrastructures for energy, telecommunication, transportation, and finance.

At EPRI, Dr. Amin developed collaborative research initiatives with diverse groups, including electric power industry, the government, universities and other stakeholders (including EPRI and its members, the US DOD, DOE, NSF, National Governors' Association, NRC/NAE, and the White House OSTP). This primarily involved creation and successful launch of the Complex Interactive Networks/Systems Initiative (CIN/SI), initiated in mid-1998 in response to growing concerns over the vulnerability of critical national infrastructures. CIN/SI developed six research consortia consisting of 108 professors and over 200 researchers in 28 U.S. universities, along with two energy companies, co-funded equally by EPRI and the U.S. DOD. In the course of the CIN/SI, Dr. Amin pioneered R&D into smart electric power grids, coined the term 'self-healing grid' and led the development of more than 24 advanced technologies transferred to the industry.

Prior to joining EPRI in January 1998, he held positions of associate professor of systems science and mathematics and associate director of the Center for Optimization & Semantic Control at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. During his twelve years at Washington University, he was one of the main contributors to several projects with United States Air Force, NASA-Ames, Rockwell International, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, MEMC, ESCO, Systems & Electronics Inc. and United Van Lines. While at Washington University, his research focused on:

  • System Identification and Control: Intelligent control including reconfigurable and
     self-repairing controllers; theory and application of dynamic neural networks in on-
     line identification and optimal control of uncertain systems; robust nonlinear and
     adaptive control.
  • Transportation, Optimization and Scheduling Theory: Intelligent Transportation
    Systems, decision-aiding, optimization, and control modules for air and land
    transportation networks.
  • Learning Control for Game Theory: Many-on-one games with incomplete
    information and limited resources; applications to evasive maneuvering against
    multiple pursuers.

Dr. Amin is the author or co-author of more than 160 research papers and the editor of seven collections of manuscripts, and serves on the editorial boards of six academic journals. At Washington University, students voted him three times Professor of the Year (voted annually by seniors in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University, 1992-1995), Mentor-of-The-Year (Assoc. of Graduate Engineering Students, Feb. 1996), and the Leadership Award (voted by the senior engineering class, May 1995). Dr. Amin received Best Session Paper Presentation Awards (American Control Conference, 1997) and an AIAA Young Professional Award (St. Louis section, 1991). At EPRI he received several awards including the 2002 President's Award for the Infrastructure Security Initiative, 2000 and 2002 Chauncey Awards (the highest annual EPRI Award, in March 2001 and 2003), and six EPRI Performance Recognition Awards during 1999-2002 for leadership in three areas.

He served as a member of the Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment (BICE) at the U.S. National Academy of Engineering during 2001-2007, and is a member of the Board on Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BMSA) at the National Academy of Sciences during 2006-2009, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, a senior member of IEEE, AAAS, AIAA, ASME, NY Academy of Sciences, SIAM, and Informs. He is a member of the IEEE Computer Society's Task Force on Security and Privacy, and served on the Board of the Center for Security Technologies (CST) at Washington University (2002-2006). Dr. Amin holds B.S. (cum laude) and M.S. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and M.S. and D.Sc. degrees in systems science and mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

David Beauvais,
Smart Grid Project Leader,
Natural Resources Canada

David Beauvais is the Smart Grid Project Leader at CanmetEnergy - Natural Resources Canada.   His responsibility is to support the development of a smarter electrical grid that will facilitate the integration of renewable energy technologies, electrical vehicles and smart appliances. His work focuses on addressing barriers to smart grid implementation,  conducting costs and benefits assessments, and providing support to industry to overcome technical issues.

Prior to joining CanmetEnergy, he worked for Hydro-Quebec Distribution where he was involved in network planning, energy conservation and automation studies and projects. At the energy board of Quebec (La Régie), he analyzed the costs of transmission networks and the mechanisms to improve the efficiency of regulated electrical utilities.  During an internship at the World Energy Council, he studied the avoided costs of demand-side management programs in Europe and the United States. Before joining CanmetEnergy, he worked for the engineering firm AECOM, on electrical utility reinforcement projects financed by the World Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency.

David Beauvais obtained his engineering degree at l’École de technologie supérieure, in Montreal, and has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from l’École nationale d’administration publique.

Linda Bertoldi,
Senior Partner, Chair, National Electricity Markets Group,
Co-chair, Energy Markets Group,
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Linda is a Partner and National Leader of the Electricity Markets Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, a major electricity law firm across Canada.  Linda has been actively involved since 1987 in the power sector.  Linda acts for developers, lenders, investors and other sector participants in connection with all aspects of power project development and financing for hydro, wind, biomass, land fill gas, solar, natural gas, district energy and cogeneration projects as well as financings in public and private markets and the purchase and sale of businesses in the electricity sector.  Linda also advises municipal electric utilities and municipalities on corporate governance, financing, shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions and regulatory compliance.  Linda is recognized in the Chambers Global World Guide to Leading Lawyers for Business, as a leading lawyer in the energy–power sector, and was recognized by Lexpert Magazine and the National Post as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Canada in 2003. Linda has been named one of the top 500 lawyers in Canada by Lexpert Magazine/American Lawyer annually since 2002, and as one of the top 100 Canadian industry specialists and leading US/Canadian cross-border corporate lawyers because of her expertise in the energy field.  Linda is also listed in 2009 Best Lawyers in Canada in the field of energy law.
Linda is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario and of the Canadian District Energy Association.

Hyman Chantz,
Executive Consultant Security & Privacy Services,
IBM

Hy Chantz is a Certified Executive Consultant in the Global Security and Privacy Practice at IBM, of which he is a founding member.  Hy specializes in security and privacy implementations for electrical utilities and other regulated industries. Hy focuses on strategic development and tangible implementation of cost-effective, innovative infrastructures using existing client resources where possible.  Hy has worked to develop secure Advanced Metering Infrastructure  (AMI) and Intelligent Utility Network (IUN)  solutions. 

Hy has been a featured speaker at utilities industry meetings and at the New Jersey FBI Infraguard. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium Inc.  (ISC2). Hy is also  a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State, and is a Member of the Bar in New York and Florida.

David Curtis,
Director, Asset Management, Processes and Policies,
Hydro One Networks Inc.

David Curtis works in Hydro One as the Director of Asset Management Processes and Policies.  In his current role, David oversees development of long-term asset plans, coordinates formulation of policies and processes and promotes corporate initiatives such as the development of the “Smart Grid”. 

David has worked in the electricity utility industry in Ontario for over thirty years in a variety of capacities.  He has worked in transmission and distribution system planning, transmission regulatory affairs, corporate strategic planning, and power system planning. 

Mark Fecenko,
Partner, National Director IT Practice,
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

MARK FECENKO is a procurement and technology law partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and National Director of its Information Technology practice.

A significant part of Mark’s practice is advising utilities, health care organizations and other members of the broader public sector on procurement practices for, and the contracting of, computer-related goods and services, including advice on procurement law.  In that regard he has advised a good number of LDCs in Ontario on Smart Meter and AMI procurement.

Mark has authored three books in the information technology and e-commerce fields.  In addition, his fourth book, “Biotechnology Law: Corporate-Commercial Practice” was the first Canadian book on biotechnology law.  He also authors the biotechnology chapter to the loose-leaf service, “Canadian Health Law Practice Manual”.  The Best Lawyers in Canada, LEXPERT, Mondaq and Lawday, have, respectively, ranked Mr. Fecenko, for his expertise in information technology law, as a leading lawyer both nationally and internationally in the technology IT and e-commerce fields.

He graduated from York University / Osgoode Hall Law School with a joint LL.B. / MBA degree in 1987 and from York University / Osgoode Hall Law School with an LL.M. in Intellectual Property in 1999.  Prior to that, he majored in Physiology and received a B.Sc. from McGill University in 1983.  He also completed the Canadian Armed Forces RESO program and received his commission as a combat engineering officer.

Anthony Haines,
President,
Toronto Hydro Electric Systems Ltd.

Anthony M. Haines was appointed President, Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited effective September 2006. Mr. Haines is responsible for the overall operations of one of Canada’s largest local distribution utilities, serving 680,000 customers in the City of Toronto, with $2.6 Billion in annual revenues, $2.8 Billion in assets and an employee base of 1,600.

A senior executive with 20 years experience in the energy sector, Mr. Haines is recognized for his leadership, innovation and technical acumen. He has a proven track record guiding businesses through changing competitive and regulatory environments and a strong background in the delivery of complex technologies.

Mr. Haines joined Toronto Hydro as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in 2005 overseeing Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc., Toronto Hydro Telecom Inc., Toronto Hydro Street Lighting Inc., Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited-Customer Care and the finance, regulatory affairs, and information technology operations for Toronto Hydro Corporation. During his year as CAO, he launched one of the largest urban WiFi networks in North America for Toronto Hydro Telecom Inc.; helped lead the successful purchase of the City of Toronto’s street light assets by Toronto Hydro Street Lighting Inc.; and led the design and execution of innovative Conservation and Demand Management at Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited.

Prior to joining Toronto Hydro Corporation, Mr. Haines was the Chief Operating Officer with Hydro Ottawa Limited. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Westcoast Energy Inc. in a variety of roles including President and Chief Executive Officer for Enlogix Inc., North America’s largest provider of utility billing services, Vice-President of Strategic Planning for Union Gas, and Vice-President, Strategic Planning, Regulatory Affairs, Gas Supply and IT at Centra Gas British Columbia Inc.

Doug Houseman,
Global CTO Energy, Utilities & Chemicals,
Capgemini

Doug Houseman has spent over 30 years in the utility and consulting industries. He has worked in all facets of the utility industry, starting as a lineman in the 1970’s and working his way up to manager of a 300,000 customer multi-commodity utility that had water, gas, and electricity in all its forms. Doug has worked on 6 continents with utilities on a number of issues. An engineer by training, he has a technical as well as a business understanding of how utilities work. He is comfortable in the board room giving advice, talking to regulators and working in the field with the linemen. His background includes nuclear, coal, gas and wind generation. He has worked on smart fields for the oil and gas industry, and smart metering and smart grid for the utility industry. He is a sought after speaker, having spoken at more than 200 events.

Pan Kamal, CISA,
Director of Marketing,
AlertEnterprise

Pan Kamal is the Director of Marketing at AlertEnterprise Inc. Pan has been active in the security domain for some time now and has experience with SCADA and critical infrastructure security (while VP of Marketing at Verano Software which was later renamed to be Industrial Defender). As Director of Product Marketing at Agiliance, Pan launched the RiskVision software suite for IT-GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance).

He has been involved with physical security automation as founder and CEO of SecureOrb, a surveillance video analytics company. Pan has worked in the hi-tech and computer industry for GTE Systems (now General Dynamics), Honeywell, Digital Equipment Corporation, and WYSE Technology. Pan holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) as well as a member of ISA (International Society for Automation) where he is involved with control systems security.

John Loucks,
Chair, Electricity Distributors Association;
Chief Operating Officer, Brantford Power

John Loucks is the 2009 Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association and Chief Operating Officer of Brantford Power Inc.

Mr. Loucks brings 28 years of electricity sector experience to the position. He joined Brantford Power in 2001 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the distribution company. He was previously General Manager and Secretary at Nanticoke Hydro and the Napanee Public Utilities Commission, respectively. Mr. Loucks began his career with the City of Calgary Electric System before returning to Ontario and joining the Brampton Hydro-Electric Commission in the early 1980s.

He has served on numerous Association and industry committees, as well as Ontario Ministry of Energy committees, including: the Smart Meter Steering Committee, and Bill 4 and Bill 210 Working Groups.

The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) is the voice of Ontario’s local electricity distributors, the publicly and privately owned companies that safely and reliably deliver electricity to over 4.5 million Ontario homes, businesses and public institutions. The EDA provides members with advocacy and representation in the legislative and regulatory environment and the electricity market in Ontario.

Yasuhiko Ogushi,
Strategic Coordinator, Smart Grid,
BC Hydro

Yasuhiko Ogushi works on the decision making process for Smart Grid in British Columbia. He also is responsible for environmental and social aspects of the implementation of Smart Grid. Before he joined BC Hydro, he worked in the fuel cell industry and environmental engineering industry. He is on the MBA program at Queen's University.

Bruce Orloff,
IUN/Smart Grid Lead,
IBM Canada

Bruce Orloff is a Business Development Executive and the Canadian Intelligent Utility Network (IUN) / Smart Grid Leader in IBM’s Energy & Utilities practice with over 20 years experience in the energy, utilities and telecommunications industries.  He has extensive knowledge and experience managing, developing and implementing advanced solutions in competitive electricity and telecommunications de-regulated markets in North America, Sweden and Australia.  His main achievements have included overall project management and technical lead on deployment of a multi-million dollar optical fiber network across North America and implementation of leading edge smart metering solutions in Ontario.

J. Mark Rodger,
Partner, Co-chair, Energy Markets Group,
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

J. Mark Rodger is a senior partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.  He is also the Toronto regional leader of the Energy Markets Group.  He specializes in the commercial, regulatory and government relations components of electricity and natural gas markets and infrastructure revitalization.  Mr. Rodger has experience in all aspects of electricity sector restructuring.  He has served as counsel to a broad range of stakeholders including municipal, provincial, and national governments, large industrial, institutional and commercial energy consumers, local distribution companies, generators, energy retailers, out-of-province electricity importers and energy regulators.

Mark also has corporate governance, business planning and utility M&A experience, including the first ever long-term lease involving an Ontario distribution utility.  He has been counsel to municipalities and private sector clients regarding the restructuring and commercialization of water and wastewater assets.  He also has broad commercial and regulatory experience in electricity conservation and demand management including programme development and smart meter implementation initiatives.  Mark has been named one of the top 500 lawyers in Canada by Lexpert Magazine/American Lawyer since 2003 because of his expertise in the electricity field.

Eli Turk,
Vice President,
Canadian Electricity Association

Eli Turk is Vice-President of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA). Founded in 1891, the CEA is the national forum and voice of the evolving electricity sector in Canada. At the heart of CEA is a core of corporate utility members that account for about 95 percent of Canada’s installed electricity generation, transmission and distribution capacity.

Prior to joining CEA, Mr. Turk was Vice-President of Business Development and a member of the management team of Alcatel Canada. He has also held management positions with Newbridge Networks Corporation, worked as Senior Policy Advisor to the Federal Industry Minister, acted as constitutional negotiator and Director of Policy for the Inuit Tapirisat and worked as a consultant on environmental and business.

In 1998, Mr.Turk was a Research Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University. Mr. Turk holds a B.Commerce from the University of Ottawa and completed studies in business, law and technology management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. He holds a Master in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.  In 2001, he was named a top 40 under 40 business leader by the Ottawa Business Journal.

Tyler Williams,
President & CEO,
Wurldtech Security Technologies, Inc.

Tyler Williams is the Co-Founder, President and CEO of Wurldtech, a cyber security testing and certification company founded in 2007. He is an internationally recognized thought leader in critical infrastructure protection, industrial cyber security, cyber terrorism and is an expert in security for high-availability process automation and control networks.

Williams is a technical member of the ISA SP99 industrial cyber security standard, a technical member of the ISA compliance institute, a cyber security subject matter expert for the WIB Plant Security Working Group and has co-authored numerous cyber security best practices for the industrial automation industry.