Former Videotron and Verizon President and CEO Manon Brouillette has agreed to chair Hydro-Québec’s board of directors. The name of the new CEO will be announced at the end of the month.
• Also read: “We don’t use our electricity well,” pleads Pierre Fitzgibbon
• Also read: ‘We’re at a loss’: Hydro-Québec connection delays anger new owners
According to our information, the current President of the Board of Directors, Jacynthe Côté, recently approached Ms Brouillette on behalf of the government to propose that she replace Sophie Brochu as CEO of the state-owned company, which she declined.
However, she accepted the role of CEO. The Council of Ministers signed the decree formalizing his appointment on Wednesday afternoon.
DIDIER DEBUSCISSORS/QMI AGENCY
“I am proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Manon Brouillette as the new Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec. She is a woman with an exceptional background who will be able to solve Quebec’s energy challenges!” declared Prime Minister François Legault.
changing of the guard
Last December, Jacynthe Côté announced that she would not renew her tenure as CEO of the state-owned company. She will take up a new mandate at the Royal Bank of Canada. Ms. Côté was the first woman to hold the chair of the board.
Manon Brouillette will replace her effective June 2nd after a long career in the telecoms industry including 14 years at Videotron. This is a term of 5 years.
“Ms. Brouillette has strong managerial skills and has excelled here at Videotron and internationally at Verizon. I am delighted that she has accepted this new challenge,” added Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon. He admits that she has little knowledge of the energy sector, but that these are skills that can be learned.
“She knows the business well. I think she understands the role of a CEO of a public crown corporation. She spoke to Mr. Legault and me a great deal. She understands the role well and feels comfortable.”
- Listen to the “Know it all” section in 24 minutes with Alexandre Moranville-Ouellet on QUB radio:
New CEO announced soon
Quebec now needs to fill the CEO position. Pierre Despars has served as interim CEO of Hydro-Québec since Sophie Brochu’s departure last April.
The name of his permanent successor will be known at the end of May.
Minister Fitzgibbon says there is “a short list” left.
“By the end of the meeting” it will be clarified, he says. “There are quite advanced discussions and the Prime Minister needs to be involved.”
Leading Verizon
In June 2021, Ms. Brouillette was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Verizon in New York. Six months later, she was appointed CEO of the American telecommunications giant.
Their mission was to create 5G experiences while completing Verizon’s transformation into a technology company.
Less than a year after that promotion, however, she resigned while Verizon Communication’s stock collapsed in the stock market.
– In collaboration with Alain Laforest, TVA nouvelles
Who is Manon Brouillette?
– Businesswoman from Quebec
– Trifluvian
– Graduated from Laval University in Communication and Marketing
– Completed the Executive Development program at the Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario
– Started his career in 2003 at Cossette Communication
– Was Vice President of Marketing at San Francisco Boutiques in 2004
– A long career at Videotron followed, including 4 years as CEO and President
– Appointed CEO of American telecom giant Verizon in 2021
Can you share information about this story with us?
Do you have a scoop that might be of interest to our readers?
Write to us or call us directly at 1-800-63SCOOP.