Rod West appointed Chief Executive Officer,
succeeding Chris Huskilson
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX/NYSE: AQN) (“AQN”,
“Algonquin” or the “Company”) announced today that Rod West will
join AQN as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 7, 2025. Chris
Huskilson will step down as CEO and will continue in his role as a
member of the Board.
Mr. West most recently served as Group President, Utility
Operations for Entergy, where he was responsible for the
operational and financial performance of Entergy’s five operating
companies. During his 25 years at Entergy, Mr. West oversaw
electric and natural gas distribution, customer service operations,
the utility’s engagement with federal, state and local regulators,
shared services functions, and regulated retail commercial
development and innovation. His tenure also included leading
Entergy New Orleans’ rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
“Algonquin is in the process of transitioning to a pure-play
regulated utility and Rod is the right person to lead the Company
forward at this important time,” said Randy Laney, Chairman of the
Board of Directors of AQN. “The Board and I are delighted to
welcome Rod as Algonquin’s incoming CEO. We are confident Rod’s
deep experience and track record of delivering outstanding customer
service and creating value in the regulated utility industry will
accelerate the Company’s transformation for the benefit of our
customers, shareholders, and the entire Algonquin team. We are
excited about Algonquin’s future and look forward to working
closely with Rod and the management team to execute our strategy
and unlock value for our stakeholders.”
Mr. Laney concluded, “We would also like to thank Chris for
stepping in as CEO and making substantial and concrete progress in
executing the Company’s value-enhancing strategic plan, including
the sale of the Company’s interest in Atlantica, the carve-out and
sale of our renewable energy business (excluding hydro), and taking
initial steps to optimize Algonquin’s cost structure and
operational efficiency. We are deeply grateful for all his efforts
and achievements in moving the Company down the path towards a
brighter future.”
“Algonquin has undergone a transformation and there’s
significant opportunity to advance its position as a pure-play
regulated utility,” said Mr. West. “I am excited to begin working
alongside the Algonquin team as we continue to transition the
Company to create sustainable and meaningful value for its
stakeholders.”
Mr. Huskilson added, “It was a privilege to step in as CEO of
Algonquin and I am proud of what the team has accomplished. There
is no doubt Rod has the right set of leadership skills, expertise,
and vision to lead the Company to new heights as a regulated
utility, and I am committed to facilitating a smooth transition as
we embark on this new chapter.”
About Rod West
Rod West served as Group President, Utility Operations for
Entergy since 2017. In that role, he was responsible for the
operational and financial performance of Entergy’s five operating
companies. He oversaw the company’s electric and natural gas
distribution, customer service operations, the utility’s engagement
with state and local regulators, and regulated retail commercial
development and innovation.
Mr. West previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer at Entergy from 2010-2017, where his
responsibilities included the company’s shared services functions
supporting utility, nuclear and wholesale operations, including
finance operations, supply chain, business processes,
administrative services, information technology, human resources
and administration, federal policy, regulatory and governmental
affairs, and corporate communications. West also led the
development and execution of the company’s environmental
strategy.
As president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans from 2007-2010, Mr.
West led the company out of its post-Hurricane Katrina bankruptcy
and back to profitability. He helped lead Entergy’s ongoing effort
to replace nearly 850 miles of underground pipe damaged after
Hurricane Katrina, an effort recognized as the 2009 Global
Infrastructure Project of the Year by Platts Global Energy
Awards.
He earned his Juris Doctor and MBA from Tulane University. Mr.
West also has a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre
Dame, where he lettered three years and played linebacker and tight
end for Coach Lou Holtz and the Fighting Irish's 1988 National
Championship football team.
About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and
Liberty
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of
Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission,
and distribution utility. AQN is committed to providing safe,
secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water
solutions through its portfolio of generation, transmission, and
distribution utility investments to over one million customer
connections, largely in the United States and Canada. AQN's common
shares, preferred shares, Series A, and preferred shares, Series D
are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN,
AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares and
Series 2019-A subordinated notes are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbols AQN and AQNB, respectively.
Visit AQN at www.algonquinpower.com and follow us on X.com
@AQN_Utilities.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements included in this news release constitute
‘‘forward-looking information’’ within the meaning of applicable
securities laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada
and the respective policies, regulations and rules under such laws
and ‘‘forward-looking statements’’ within the meaning of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively,
‘‘forward-looking statements”). The words “will”, “expects” (and
grammatical variations of such terms) and similar expressions are
often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not
all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include,
but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected future
performance of the Company and expected future value creation.
These statements are based on factors or assumptions that were
applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection,
including assumptions based on historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking
statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very
nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks
and uncertainties. AQN cautions that although it is believed that
the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks
and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results
may differ materially from the expectations set out in the
forward-looking statements. Material risk factors and assumptions
include those set out in AQN's Annual Information Form and Annual
Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31,
2023, and Management Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2024, each of which is available on
SEDAR+ and EDGAR. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be
placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of
their dates. Other than as specifically required by law, AQN
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250131953763/en/
Investor Inquiries:
Brian Chin Vice President, Investor Relations Algonquin Power
& Utilities Corp. E-mail: InvestorRelations@APUCorp.com
Telephone: (905) 465-4500
Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Bose Director, Corporate Communications Liberty
E-mail: Corporate.Communications@libertyutilities.com Telephone:
(905) 465-4500
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