People | People on the move IWP&DC reports on recent appointments in the industry
FirstLight announces change in leadership
FirstLight, a prominent clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company, is set for a leadership transition with the departure of its President and CEO, Alicia Barton, effective December 1, 2023. Stepping into the role is the current Chief Operating Officer, Justin Trudell, known for his extensive experience and successful tenure leading operations at FirstLight. Barton, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic vision over the past three years, will be leaving to pursue a new role within the clean energy industry after the New Year. During her tenure, she collaborated closely with Trudell, who, as Chief Operating Officer, demonstrated his commitment to driving operational excellence and implementing growth initiatives. Trudell, who assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2021, has been a key figure at FirstLight, having previously served as Vice President of Operations. Under Barton’s leadership, Trudell played a crucial role in the integration of H2O Power and oversaw significant expansions in the company’s clean energy and energy storage portfolio. Reflecting on the upcoming transition, Trudell
remarked: “After nearly six years at FirstLight – learning the ins and outs of our projects, getting to know our incredible people, and for the past three years, working alongside a force like Alicia Barton – I couldn’t be more proud or prepared to take on this next chapter.” The Board of Directors expressed gratitude
for Barton’s contributions and welcomed Trudell as the new President and CEO, expressing confidence in his ability to lead FirstLight through the next phase of growth. Patrick Samson, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets Investments at PSP Investments, stated: “We are very pleased to welcome Justin as FirstLight’s new Chief Executive Officer. He is a dynamic business leader whose exceptional track record and first-hand knowledge of FirstLight make him ideally positioned to lead the company through this next chapter.” Prior to joining FirstLight, Trudell served in the
United States Navy and later held progressive roles with Brookfield Renewable Power. He actively serves on the Board of Directors of the National Hydropower Association and is an Independent Director at GEOKON, Inc. He holds a BS in Economics from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.
Stantec appoints Chief Technology Officer
Stantec has appointed Shankar Kalyana as chief technology officer (CTO). The IBM veteran brings nearly 40 years of experience and will be responsible for leading identification, deployment, application, and support of emerging digital technology to support existing clients and the firm’s strategic growth initiatives, while driving shareholder value. In this newly established role, Kalyana will
report to John Take, the firm’s chief growth and innovation officer, and be responsible for catalyzing on recent organic growth in Stantec’s digital and technology teams, which now includes more than 200 staff across the world. He will support the commercialization of digital products and services and the development of tools for internal use that drive efficiency. Kalyana will also support the ideation of digital products that will be incubated and brought to market. “We are thrilled to welcome Shankar Kalyana as Stantec’s chief technology officer,” said Take. “Shankar joins us at a pivotal time, with our next Strategic Plan, Stantec is positioning for growth, success and continued Global impact. He will play an integral role in our ongoing digital evolution, while driving delivery effectiveness.” As CTO, Shankar will collaborate with
Stantec’s digital practice groups across all business lines, the Global Operations, and Innovation Office to maintain capabilities across the firm’s digital practice areas. These include data analytics, design/delivery and automation, geospatial analytics, project and program information management systems, visualization, and digital development. “It is a unique privilege to leverage
my experience and expertise in digital transformation at scale and apply it to a domain of great importance to humankind using technology in all its positive and constructive intent,” Kalyana said. “I am excited to join Stantec when climate change and sustainability have become center stage themes, and leading our influence in enhancing the quality of life for communities everywhere.” Kalyana is an ex-IBM Fellow and innovator with multiple technical awards, an evangelist of applying technology for business value, and a thought leader in complex digital transformations. He holds a Master of Science from Pennsylvania State University in Information Science.
8 | December 2023 |
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SMEC appoints senior hires for new UK headquarters
Global infrastructure engineering firm SMEC has appointed two key senior hires to drive its UK Water, Dams and Hydropower division in London. Brian Darling joins as Chief Technical Principal and Emily Archibald as an Associate Engineer, both bringing a wealth of experience to SMEC at a time of increased industry momentum in the renewables landscape. Darling joins with more than 30 years’ experience across the water, renewable energy, and environment sectors; drawing on his specialist expertise as a Project Manager and Principal Hydro Engineer at Mott Macdonald, prior to joining SMEC. With an impressive portfolio of projects across Europe, South Asia and Africa, Darling is passionate about the benefits hydropower can bring to remote areas. “I have worked on hydropower projects in
areas of the world where there has been little economic development. Sensitively designed hydropower projects have a huge positive impact and transformative effect on these remote communities. I am excited to join an internationally recognised company that was born out of the iconic Snowy Hydroelectric Scheme, and which continues to deliver transformative projects today,” he shared. SMEC is also welcoming Emily Archibald, who brings a diverse skillset including reservoir projects and a robust background in flood defences, dams, hydropower and water supply projects within UK and Europe. She has over 12 years’ experience in the water sector, with previously held Chartered Civil Engineer and Senior Project Manager positions at Jacobs and Mott MacDonald. Archibald is looking forward to the future,
“We’re in a unique place right now where there are many opportunities to add value to large, international and industry leading projects which will promote and deliver sustainable energy across the globe.” The new roles will expand SMEC’s specialist Dams and Hydropower offering to the UK and Europe, building on the company’s existing global experience and technical expertise.
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