The Panel

Bob Heggie
Chief Executive Officer
Alberta Utilities Commission

Bob Heggie was appointed Chief Executive of the Alberta Utilities Commission in January 2008. In his current role, Bob is responsible for leading the implementation of overall organizational strategy and day-to-day operations to ensure achievement of the Commission’s organizational objectives. 

He is the co-chair of the Energy Law Forum, the CAMPUT Energy Regulation course and the Energy Regulatory Forum. He is a contributing author to Canadian Energy Law and Policy.

Neil McCrank, QC
Former Chair
Alberta Utilities Commission

Neil recently retired from senior counsel to Borden Ladner Gervais (Calgary office). Prior to his retirement, Neil’s practice primarily focused on oil and gas, energy and litigation. With a wealth of insight into Alberta’s regulatory regime, he provided strategic advice on major provincial energy projects, including northern development and the oil sands and electricity generation and transmission.

Neil served as Alberta’s Deputy Justice Minister from 1989 to 1998 before chairing the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board from 1998 until 2007. Since then, he has served both provincial and federal governments in different advisory capacities.

Dale McMaster
Former President
Alberta Electricity System Operator

Dale McMaster joined the Versant Power board of directors in July 2020. Dale has over 40 years of system operations, transmission maintenance, generation planning and market experience, working both in Canada and internationally. 

Dale was previously Executive Vice President, Power Supply and Delivery & Chief Operating Officer for ENMAX Corporation. During his time at ENMAX, Dale was accountable for strategic direction and oversight of ENMAX’s regulated transmission and distribution (wires) businesses, power generation and wholesale markets, regulated market services, safety and environment and security.

Prior to his time at ENMAX, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer at the Alberta Electric System Operator, President of the Transmission Administrator of Alberta and Chief Operations Officer for the Power Pool of Alberta. Dale also gained valuable utility experience during his time at SaskPower and while consulting with SNC and Acres International. Dale graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering).

Joseph T. Kelliher
Former Chair
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Joe Kelliher is the former executive vice president for federal regulatory affairs for NextEra Energy Inc. As executive vice president, Kelliher was responsible for managing regulatory issues for NextEra’s two principal subsidiaries, NextEra Energy Resources and Florida Power & Light Co. before federal agencies.

From 2005 to 2009, he served as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where he managed 1,400 employees and a $260 million annual budget. Among the highlights of his chairmanship was the efficient implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the largest expansion in FERC regulatory authority since the 1930s. 

Kelliher has worked on energy policy matters in different capacities for the federal government and private sector. He holds a B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a J.D. from The American University Washington College of Law.

Pat Wood, III
Former Chair
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Pat Wood is the past Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). 

Pat is currently CEO of Hunt Energy Network, which develops power systems that integrate into competitive power markets.  Pat also serves as a Director of SunPower Corporation and the construction firm Quanta Services. He was recently appointment to the Luma Energy Board responsible for overseeing the Quanta-ATCO joint venture to operate the Puerto Rico utility system. 

During his four years at the helm of the FERC, under President George W. Bush, Mr. Wood led the responses to the 2000-2001 California energy crisis, the bankruptcy of Enron, and the 2003 North American power blackout. By the end of his term, over two-thirds of the nation’s economy was served by the reliable, organized wholesale power markets FERC championed.   Pat holds a B.S. degree (civil engineering) from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. 

Mary Anne Aldred
Former General Counsel
Ontario Energy Board

Mary Anne Aldred is the Former Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Ontario Energy Board. Prior to retiring in April 2021, Mary Anne Aldred was Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of the Ontario Energy Board.

Mary Anne is a seasoned lawyer with over 25 years of experience in the energy sector. She was responsible for leading all aspects of the organization’s corporate operations and providing legal counsel, policy advice, leadership and guidance on government relations, administrative law and civil litigation. Mary Anne joined the OEB as General Counsel in 2006 and in 2015 she was appointed Vice President of Strategic Policy and assumed the additional responsibilities of strategic policy development and overseeing the establishment of the Registrar’s office.

Prior to joining the OEB, Mary Anne was a lawyer and regulatory affairs advisor for over 12 years with Hydro One and the former Ontario Hydro where she held the roles of Assistant General Counsel, Senior Legal Counsel and Director, Transmission Regulation. Mary Anne obtained her Law degree at the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1986.