On December 4th, the new Manitoba Government announced their appointments for members of the MB Hydro-Electric Board. Who are they? We had some volunteers compile information about the different individuals.

 

Ben Graham

Ben Graham brings years of executive leadership experience to the role of Chairperson for the Hydro-Electric Board. He is currently the President and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross and was previously the President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance. Ben holds a master’s in risk management from Monash University and has international experience in risk management in Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong.

 

Jamie Wilson

Jamie Wilson is a member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation and an experienced leader in Indigenous business development. He currently holds the role of Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development at Red River College Polytechnic. In addition to a background in Cree environmental teachings, Jamie brings both private and public sector experience in settler-Indigenous relations. He was the Treaty Commissioner for the Treaty Relations Committee from 2010-2016 and has also served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Jamie joins the Hydro-Electric Board in the position of Vice Chair.

 

Tom Akerstream

Tom Akerstream has decades of management experience with Manitoba Hydro, working on energy efficiency and demand-side management policies with the Power Smart program from 1991-2002 and in various other roles in years following. He was part of the team winning the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Synergy Award for Innovation in 2015 and received the Canadian Green Building Council Manitoba Chapter’s Green Champion Award in 2012.

 

Joy Cramer

Joy Cramer is the CEO of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization and has worked there since 2019. Having Joy on the Hydro-Electric Board provides a crucial link to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization and their membership. Joy also brings extensive public sector experience to the Board, having previously served as the Deputy Minister of Family Services and Deputy Minister of Housing and Community Development with the provincial government.

 

Mike Spence

Mike Spence is approaching his 30th year in office as the Mayor of Churchill, MB, and brings leadership experience and a northern perspective to the Hydro-Electric Board. He has previously served on the Hydro-Electric Board as well as the Travel Manitoba Board. 

 

Eric Redhead

Eric Redhead currently serves as the MLA for Thompson and is a member of the NDP Caucus. He also brings experience in Indigenous politics, having served as the Chief in his home community of Shamattawa First Nation and Acting Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Eric is a strong advocate for Thompson families and before the 2023 provincial election, he served as the Critic for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation. 

 

Vernon Kalmakoff

Vernon Kalmakoff is an Indigenous entrepreneur from the Westman region in the southwest of the province. 

 

Leslie Turnbull

Leslie Turnbull is the Senior Advisor and Former Principal with the women-led research and consulting firm Viewpoints. She has previous experience on the Hydro-Electric Board as well as having formerly served as Vice Chair for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation.

 

Paul Moist

Paul Moist retired after 12 years in the role of National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 2015. He has decades of experience in labour advocacy and has continued to actively serve his community in retirement through mentorship and research work. Paul was awarded the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba’s Errol Black Award for lifetime achievement and dedication to labour issues in 2021. 

 

Nicole Chabot 

Nicole Chabot is the sole member of the Hydro-Electric Board to be reappointed by the NDP in 2023. She has recently served as Chair of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and is also on the board of the Canadian Construction Association. Nicole is currently the Vice President of L. Chabot Enterprises.