Emera Announces leadership Appointments

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera Inc. (TSX: EMA) announced executive changes at Emera Inc., Nova Scotia Power and Emera Caribbean today.

“This is an exciting time for our company and our people and we believe these changes will help us to continue to deliver on our commitments to customers in each of these markets and position us well for future growth opportunities.”

Rob Bennett has been promoted to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Emera Inc. In this new position, Rob will have a broader scope of responsibility, overseeing all operating assets across Emera, where recent growth has created the need for increased executive focus on operations and integration of new assets into the Emera family of companies.

As part of his new role Rob will join Emera Executive team which includes Chris Huskilson, President and CEO, Scott Balfour, EVP and CFO, Nancy Tower, EVP Business Development and CEO of Emera Newfoundland and Labrador, Barbara Meens Thistle, Chief Human Resources Officer and Bruce Marchand, Chief Legal Officer.

Bob Hanf has been appointed President and CEO at Nova Scotia Power. Bob has most recently been Executive Chairman of Light & Power Holdings in the Caribbean. Prior to that, he served as Chief Legal Officer for Emera. Bob has a track record of success at the operating company level having served for three years as President and COO of Bangor Hydro. Bob will continue as a Director for Light & Power Holdings and Barbados Light & Power.

In the Caribbean, Sarah MacDonald assumes a broader portfolio. She remains as President and CEO Grand Bahama Power Company but takes on additional responsibilities as President of Emera Caribbean Limited, with executive oversight for Light & Power Holdings (including Barbados Light & Power), and assuming responsibility for all business development activity in the Caribbean. Sarah will continue in her role as President of ICD Utilities and as a Director for Light & Power Holdings and Barbados Light & Power.

Both Bob Hanf and Sarah MacDonald will continue as members of Emera Business Council which includes the leader of each of Emera’s affiliate companies.

“These changes reflect the growth of Emera and our operating companies and take advantage of our leadership depth and strengthen our leadership capacity,” said Chris Huskilson, President and CEO, Emera Inc. “This is an exciting time for our company and our people and we believe these changes will help us to continue to deliver on our commitments to customers in each of these markets and position us well for future growth opportunities.”

“In Nova Scotia, Rob Bennett has led significant progress over the last number of years, including improving system reliability, shaping the utility’s transformation away from coal to significantly more renewable generation and a made in NS solution to GHG reductions, ” continued Mr. Huskilson. “Bob will move the plan forward as we continue to transform how we make electricity in Nova Scotia, enhance customer service and provide Nova Scotians with access to cleaner, more stably-priced power. Similarly, we see activity in the Caribbean markets where customers want us to advance opportunities to stabilize electricity prices and move off of a reliance on imported fuels. Sarah MacDonald is doing an excellent job in the turnaround plan for Grand Bahama Power and I know she will apply her experience in stakeholder engagement, utility experience and business development to our other Caribbean assets.”

Over the next five years, Emera expects to make more than $5 billion in investments in the markets where its companies operate. These leadership appointments are an essential element of Emera’s commitment to make sure the investments result in benefit to customers and shareholders.

Forward looking statement:

This news release contains forward looking information. Actual future results may differ materially. Additional information related to Emera, including the company’s Annual Information Form, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com

About Emera

Emera Inc. is an energy and services company with $7.4 billion in assets and 2011 revenues of $2.1 billion. The company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, as well as gas transmission and utility energy services. Emera’s strategy is focused on the transformation of the electricity industry to cleaner generation and the delivery of that clean energy to market. Emera has interests throughout northeastern North America and in three Caribbean countries. More than 80% of the company’s earnings come from regulated investments. Emera common and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the symbol EMA, EMA.PR.A, and EMA.PR.C. Additional information can be accessed at www.emera.com or at www.sedar.com.