QUEST Appoints Two New Board of Directors

OTTAWA, March 22, 2012 /CNW/ -  QUEST - Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow - Canada's national voice for integrated community energy systems and solutions (ICES), announced the appointment of Ms. Patricia M. Newson and Mr. Robert Smith to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Ms. Patricia M. Newson, C.A. served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of AltaGas Utility Group Inc. from July 6, 2005 to December 2011, and was Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of AltaGas Ltd. from June 1996 to May 2006. Ms. Newson's over 30 years of energy industry experience includes corporate and regulatory reporting during several restructurings with Gulf Canada, GW Utilities and Olympia and York Enterprises. She is a Director of Brookfield Residential Properties Inc. and Guide Exploration Ltd., the Chairman of the Board of Heritage Gas Limited and is a Member of the Alberta Securities Commission's Financial Advisory Committee. Ms. Newson is a Chartered Accountant.

Mr. Robert Smith, CEM, LEED A.P. serves as the Director, Innovation for The Minto Group Inc. since 1996. Robert leads a team of professionals who provide insight and guidance on award-winning sustainable design strategies for Minto's real estate portfolio. As a international expert in zero energy construction, Robert has been instrumental in Minto's environmental achievements including the first LEED® multi-residential certification by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), MintoRoehampton, the first and only high-rise multi-residential building to achieve LEED®-Gold Canada; a LEED®-Platinum Candidate office building - 180 Kent Street, Ottawa; and Minto's Inspiration House - highest rated LEED®-Platinum project in Canada (an EQuilibrium Net Zero single family home).

"Patricia and Robert bring a wealth of industry experience to QUEST and will play a key role as QUEST executes its vision of having every community in Canada operating as an integrated energy system, by 2030," said Michael Harcourt, QUEST Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "their on the ground experience and expertise in both the energy and development industries of Canada will be a tremendous benefit to us."

"I strongly believe that QUEST's integrated systems approach to energy use in Canadian communities is critical to Canada's economic future ," said Patricia Newson, "this approach will lead to cities that emit fewer greenhouse gases, attract investment, create jobs and enhance quality of life in communities of all sizes."

"Minto is continuously identifying new opportunities to enhance and create products and services that contribute to a healthier planet," said Robert Smith, "as we look at the future role of the building sector in Canadian communities, QUEST offers a unique, diverse and engaged network of experts to engage in this important dialogue."

The QUEST Board of Directors includes: Michael Harcourt, Chair and CEO; Kenneth B. Ogilvie, Vice Chair and; Michael Cleland, Treasurer and Secretary.

About QUEST
QUEST - Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow - is a national non-profit organization advancing education and research for integrated energy systems (linking energy with land-use, buildings, transportation, waste, water and wastewater at a community, neighbourhood or site level) to develop and support sustainable communities in Canada. We are committed to making integrated community energy systems and solutions (ICES) the new standard for land-use and transportation planning and development. QUEST does research, policy analysis, outreach, and capacity building to assist communities, utilities, and the broader community-building sector.

Tonja Leach
Director, Communication and Engagement
Email: [email protected]
Tel: [phone]
www.questcanada.org