Who We Are
We are an independent energy system operator dedicated to ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of the province’s electricity system. Our mandate is to oversee integrated system planning, procure new energy resources, and ultimately manage grid operations to meet current and future electricity needs.
By operating independently and transparently, we foster a more competitive energy market—one that delivers reliable power to homes and businesses while supporting innovation and cost-effectiveness. Through collaboration with industry partners, communities, and government, we are building a resilient, low-carbon energy future that keeps the lights on today and strengthens our energy system for tomorrow.
What We Do
As an independent non-profit, IESO Nova Scotia’s approach to managing the province’s electricity system follows a structured lifecycle of planning, procurement, and future operations.
Integrated System Planning
Assesses current and future electricity demand, evaluates supply options, and develops strategies to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy system.
Resource Procurement
Secures the energy resources needed to meet system requirements through transparent and efficient processes, supporting both reliability and sustainability.
Further Grid Operations
Focus on running a resilient, flexible, and adaptable grid as the organization transitions to full operations.
Together, these three pillars provide a cohesive framework for delivering independent, sustainable, and reliable energy to Nova Scotia.
Organizational Milestones
April 2024
Created by Legislation
February 2025
Board of Directors Established
August 2025
First Revenue Application
August 2025
CEO Hired
October 2025
Integrated Resource Plan Initiation
October 2025
Foundational Energy Project Initiation
Board of Directors
Douglas Reid
Chair
Douglas Reid is a business leader with significant experience in management, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and is a respected strategic advisor. Mr. Reid held several senior positions with KPMG over a 40-year career, including Atlantic Managing Partner. At KPMG Mr. Reid served clients in the utilities, transportation, mining and manufacturing sectors.
Doug serves as a Board Member at the Halifax Port Authority, where he chairs the Audit & Risk Committee, and is a member of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee. He is also a Board Member and Chair of the Compensation Committee of GoGold Resources Inc. Doug served as Independent Chair of the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation System Improvement Review Committee from 2023 to 2024.
In addition, Doug contributes to advancing business education and leadership development as Chair of Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management Advisory Board to the Dean, and is a past director and board chair of the QEII Health Sciences Foundation and Symphony Nova Scotia.
Doug serves as a Board Member at the Halifax Port Authority, where he chairs the Audit & Risk Committee, and is a member of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee. He is also a Board Member and Chair of the Compensation Committee of GoGold Resources Inc. Doug served as Independent Chair of the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation System Improvement Review Committee from 2023 to 2024.
In addition, Doug contributes to advancing business education and leadership development as Chair of Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management Advisory Board to the Dean, and is a past director and board chair of the QEII Health Sciences Foundation and Symphony Nova Scotia.
Peter Doig
Director
Peter Doig is an executive and governance leader with extensive experience in legal affairs, risk management, compliance, and stakeholder relations. Over a 22-year career with Emera and Nova Scotia Power, he held a range of senior executive roles, most recently serving as Vice President, Compliance and Risk, before retiring in 2023.
Deeply engaged in community leadership, Peter has served as Board Chair and Governance Committee Chair for a number of organizations, including the YMCA of Greater Halifax, United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada, and United Way of Halifax. He also served as Board Chair of Halifax Public Libraries and as a Director of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
Deeply engaged in community leadership, Peter has served as Board Chair and Governance Committee Chair for a number of organizations, including the YMCA of Greater Halifax, United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada, and United Way of Halifax. He also served as Board Chair of Halifax Public Libraries and as a Director of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
Maureen Higgins
Director
Maureen Higgins is a senior executive with experience in technology transformation, utility operations, and digital strategy within the energy sector. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Technology Transformation at ATCO, leading large-scale modernization initiatives to strengthen operational efficiency and digital capability.
From 2017 to 2023, Maureen was a Partner and Lead for Information Technology Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, advising clients on technology strategy, cybersecurity, and business transformation. Earlier in her career, she held several senior leadership roles with AltaLink, including Vice President, Integrated Network Operations; Interim Chief Operating Officer; and Vice President, Information Technology and Facilities
From 2017 to 2023, Maureen was a Partner and Lead for Information Technology Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, advising clients on technology strategy, cybersecurity, and business transformation. Earlier in her career, she held several senior leadership roles with AltaLink, including Vice President, Integrated Network Operations; Interim Chief Operating Officer; and Vice President, Information Technology and Facilities
Carmine Marcello
Director
Carmine Marcello is a senior executive and consultant with leadership experience in the electricity sector, spanning operations, asset management, system reliability, and corporate strategy. He is currently Executive Director of Hetherington Karney Group Inc., a management consulting firm specializing in advisory services for the utility sector.
From 2013 to 2015, Carmine served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro One Inc., following a decade of progressive leadership roles within the organization, including Executive Vice President, Strategy and Planning; Senior Vice President, Asset Management; Vice President, Corporate Projects; and Director, Ontario Grid Control Centre.
Carmine has served as Chair and Board Member of Hydro One Brampton, and as a Member of the Boards of the North American Transmission Forum, the Canadian Electricity Association, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Members Representative Committee.
From 2013 to 2015, Carmine served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro One Inc., following a decade of progressive leadership roles within the organization, including Executive Vice President, Strategy and Planning; Senior Vice President, Asset Management; Vice President, Corporate Projects; and Director, Ontario Grid Control Centre.
Carmine has served as Chair and Board Member of Hydro One Brampton, and as a Member of the Boards of the North American Transmission Forum, the Canadian Electricity Association, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Members Representative Committee.
Robert Patzelt
Director
Robert Patzelt is an executive and governance leader with deep experience in corporate transformation, legal and regulatory affairs, and stakeholder engagement across Canada’s energy, industrial, and resource sectors. He brings a strong understanding of complex systems, organizational performance, and effective board governance.
He advises boards and executives on governance, organizational change, and strategic decision-making. His prior executive roles include President and CEO of a publicly traded resource company, where he led major restructuring and stakeholder initiatives, and Senior Vice President of Business Development with a large, diversified holding company active in manufacturing, energy, transportation, and biotechnology.
Robert currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and on private advisory boards. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Maritime Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
He advises boards and executives on governance, organizational change, and strategic decision-making. His prior executive roles include President and CEO of a publicly traded resource company, where he led major restructuring and stakeholder initiatives, and Senior Vice President of Business Development with a large, diversified holding company active in manufacturing, energy, transportation, and biotechnology.
Robert currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and on private advisory boards. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Maritime Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Eric Paul
Director
Eric Paul is a public sector executive and governance leader with experience in organizational transformation, risk management, and community development. He currently serves as Executive Director of Sipekne’katik First Nation, providing strategic leadership in administration, operations, and governance.
Prior to this role, Eric was Director, Transformation at the Port of Halifax, where he led modernization initiatives to strengthen operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness. Eric also teaches in the Graduate Studies School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University, focusing on public sector risk management and analysis. Earlier in his career, Eric served as a Senior Commissioned Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces from 1990 to 2017, holding roles of progressive responsibility retiring as Head of Intelligence for Maritime Forces Atlantic.
Eric contributes actively to community and institutional governance, serving as Vice Chair with the Clean Foundation and as a Senator at Acadia University. He is also a former Trustee and Committee Chair with the IWK Health Centre Foundation and past Vice Chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Board of Directors.
Prior to this role, Eric was Director, Transformation at the Port of Halifax, where he led modernization initiatives to strengthen operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness. Eric also teaches in the Graduate Studies School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University, focusing on public sector risk management and analysis. Earlier in his career, Eric served as a Senior Commissioned Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces from 1990 to 2017, holding roles of progressive responsibility retiring as Head of Intelligence for Maritime Forces Atlantic.
Eric contributes actively to community and institutional governance, serving as Vice Chair with the Clean Foundation and as a Senator at Acadia University. He is also a former Trustee and Committee Chair with the IWK Health Centre Foundation and past Vice Chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Board of Directors.
Alison Scott
Director
Alison Scott is a public policy and regulatory leader with experience across the energy, environmental, and government sectors. Most recently, she served as Chair of the Clean Electricity Solutions Task Force, which recommended the establishment of an independent system operator in Nova Scotia.
Alison previously served as a Member of the National Energy Board and as Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Environment for the Government of Canada. In the Province of Nova Scotia, she held several senior executive positions, including Deputy Minister of Energy, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Clerk of the Executive Council–Secretary to Cabinet.
Earlier in her career, Alison practiced as a litigator specializing in regulatory and administrative law, including as a solicitor with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice.
Alison previously served as a Member of the National Energy Board and as Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Environment for the Government of Canada. In the Province of Nova Scotia, she held several senior executive positions, including Deputy Minister of Energy, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Clerk of the Executive Council–Secretary to Cabinet.
Earlier in her career, Alison practiced as a litigator specializing in regulatory and administrative law, including as a solicitor with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice.
David MacGregor
Public Service Board Appointee, Non-voting director
David MacGregor became the Associate Deputy Minister for the Nova Scotia Department of Energy in February 2025. He previously served as Associate Deputy Minister of the Office of Priorities and Planning. David’s mandate at the Department of Energy is to co-ordinate the efforts of the various departments working on Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Projects.
David was the Principal Secretary and energy policy advisor to Premier John Hamm from 1999 to 2005. David also spent 17 years working at MacGregors Industrial Group, where he was the Manager of the Modular Building Division, which specializes in serving the electrical utility, industrial and mining markets. David is a Past Chair of the Board of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.
David was the Principal Secretary and energy policy advisor to Premier John Hamm from 1999 to 2005. David also spent 17 years working at MacGregors Industrial Group, where he was the Manager of the Modular Building Division, which specializes in serving the electrical utility, industrial and mining markets. David is a Past Chair of the Board of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.
Executive Team
Johnny Johnston
President & CEO
Johnny Johnston joined IESO Nova Scotia in August 2025. Johnny brings nearly three decades of international experience in utility operations, strategy, and system transformation. Most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., he led regulated and independent renewable energy operations, including service to 1.5 million utility customers across four countries and a three-gigawatt renewables portfolio in North America.
Johnny began his career at the United Kingdom’s national energy system operator, rising through senior roles in engineering, operations, and transformation. Johnston was also part of starting GridAmerica, an independent transmission company (ITC) in the United States Midwest providing transmission planning services for three major utilities. A registered professional engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Johnston holds an engineering degree from Oxford University and completed his business education at Cranfield University and Harvard Business School.
Johnny began his career at the United Kingdom’s national energy system operator, rising through senior roles in engineering, operations, and transformation. Johnston was also part of starting GridAmerica, an independent transmission company (ITC) in the United States Midwest providing transmission planning services for three major utilities. A registered professional engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Johnston holds an engineering degree from Oxford University and completed his business education at Cranfield University and Harvard Business School.