Board of Directors

BluEarth’s Board of Directors is responsible for the overall stewardship of the company.  With such diversity and experience represented by the Board members, the company is in good hands.

John Keating – Chairman of the Board – BluEarth Executive Advisor & Director

John was a founding shareholder & director of Canadian Hydro and has more than 30 years of financial experience. John and Ross co-founded Canadian Hydro in the late 1980’s and jointly oversaw all aspects of its growth from its first 3 MW hydro project to a company owning and operating 21 power plants with 694 MW of installed capacity. John was also a founding director of the Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta (IPPSA), and has been an active participant in the Clean Air Renewable Energy Coalition and other organizations that lobby governments on renewable energy initiatives. John is widely recognized as a pioneer of the industry and has helped shape federal and provincial government policy that supports renewable energy development. He was a Chartered Accountant for over 32 years.

Ross Keating, P.Eng. – BluEarth Executive Advisor & Director

Ross is an electrical engineer with more than 30 years of experience in design and construction. Ross was a founding shareholder & director of Canadian Hydro who brings a wealth of hydroelectric, wind and biomass design and construction expertise to the Company. Ross has brought many innovations to the sector as he and John have pioneered the industry. John and Ross co-founded Canadian Hydro in the late 1980’s and jointly oversaw all aspects of its growth from its first 3 MW hydro project to a company owning and operating 21 power plants with 694 MW of installed capacity.

Kent Brown, CA – BluEarth President & Chief Executive Officer, Director

Since 2001, Kent was a key contributor to Canadian Hydro’s strategy, development and growth to Canada’s largest renewable energy company. As EVP & CFO, Kent helped to grow the company from 63 MW and 25 staff in 2001 to 694 MW and 132 staff in 2009, and played a lead role in the restructuring and in the raising of over $1 billion of debt and $300 million of equity to finance these projects. Both as CEO and EVP & CFO, Kent helped grow Canadian Hydro’s market capitalization by an annual compounded rate of 30% per year, and increased its enterprise value by 680% prior to its take-over in late 2009 for an enterprise value of $1.64 billion. Kent has been involved in all facets of the business from early stage development, permitting and approvals, Aboriginal groups and community consultation, and construction, to financing and operations.

Mac Van Wielingen – Co-Chairman, Director & Founder of ARC Financial Corp.

Mr. Van Wielingen has served as Vice-Chairman and Director of ARC Resources Ltd. since its formation in 1996. He is Co-Chairman and a founder of ARC Financial Corporation, a private equity investment management company focused on the energy sector in Canada. Previously Mr. Van Wielingen was a Senior Vice-President and Director of a major national investment dealer responsible for all corporate finance activities in Alberta. Mr. Van Wielingen holds an Honours Business Degree from the University of Western Ontario Business School and has studied post-graduate Economics at Harvard University.

Brian Boulanger – ARC Financial Corp., Senior Vice-President

Brian has worked with ARC for over 10 years and has been a director of several emerging companies based in Calgary. His education includes a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. He is a CFA charter-holder and a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. In the community, he is active with the United Way of Calgary and Area and served as the 2008/09 Chair of the Board.

Zvi Orvitz – Teachers’ Private Capital, Portfolio Manager

Zvi has worked with Teachers’ Private Capital (“TPC”), the private investment department of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan since 2008. He is focused on TPC’s investments in the energy space. Prior to joining TPC, he worked at a premier global investment bank in New York and Toronto responsible for advising on Mergers & Acquisitions and corporate finance.  Zvi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a CFA Charterholder.

Darren Smart – Teachers’ Private Capital, Portfolio Manager

Darren joined the private equity arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in 2005 and has over 10 years of private equity experience. He has worked on a variety of transactions and currently leads Teachers’ Private Capital’s investing activities in the energy sector. Prior to joining TPC, Darren worked with Scotia Merchant Capital, a Toronto-based private equity firm. Darren holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.