Corporate Structure

President & Chief Executive Officer

Ysni Semsedini, P.Eng., MBA

Ysni Semsedini is the CEO of Newmarket Tay Power Distribution Ltd. Driven by the big idea, innovation and partnerships, Ysni looks to work collaboratively to move business forward. Ysni brings almost 20 years of experience in electricity distribution, telecommunications, manufacturing and health care.

Ysni currently holds numerous board positions including Past- Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association, Director of The Mearie Group, Electrical Safety Authority, Ontario One Call and Saturn Power.

Ysni has an undergraduate and master’s degree in electrical engineering from Western University and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Board Chair

Dave Charleson

(Board member 2005-2007, 2017)

Dave has broad and varied experience within the energy industry through over 30 years with Enbridge Gas Distribution, where he was the Vice President, Energy Supply and Customer Care at the time of his retirement in 2019. His career saw him gain experience in the areas of energy supply, operations, IT, human resources, customer care, finance and regulatory matters.

His more recent responsibilities required an increased focus on strategy and governance. Through his 5 years as General Manager, Enbridge Gas New Brunswick, he gained full exposure to all aspects of the challenges and opportunities facing a regulated utility.

In addition to his experience with Enbridge, Dave has previously served as member of the Board of Directors of Newmarket Hydro (2005-2007) as well as a number of not-for-profit Boards, including time as the Chair of Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc.

Vice Chair

Brian Gabel

(Board member since 2019)

Brian is a chartered accountant/CPA by training. For most of his career Brian held executive roles in prominent energy and utility companies including Union Gas, British Columbia Transmission (BCTC), Hydro One and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA); holding functional responsibilities that included finance, treasury, regulatory affairs, marketing, sales, operations, human resources and business development. Brian was Chief Financial Officer at both BCTC and GTAA and was VP and Chief Regulatory Officer for Hydro One. From 2014 to 2016 Brian was Vice President Stakeholder Engagement, developing Board of Directors focused outreach and thought leadership activities for CPAB, Canada’s Audit Regulator.

Brian has had extensive experience working with and advising public company and not for profit boards and currently sits on the Board for Plexxus, a shared services organization for twenty hospitals in Toronto and the surrounding regions.

Brian has spoken on board and audit committee governance topics at several Institute of Corporate Directors events and CPA Canada Audit Committee conferences and has been a guest lecturer on several occasions at Osgoode Law School.

Director

Cristine Prattas, CPA, CA

(Board member since 2014)

Cristine has been a resident of Newmarket since 1990. She is a CPA, CA with experience in public accounting and a lengthy, successful career with Canadian Tire as a finance executive until her retirement in 2010. Her professional experience includes Enterprise Risk Management, financial governance, financial reporting, transaction processing, process improvement and Internal Audit.

Cristine currently consults in financial governance and internal controls on a part time basis with a specialty North American Retailer. She is a former member of the Board of Directors for Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS) where she served as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for seven years.

Cristine also volunteered as a citizen member of the Town of Newmarket Audit Committee where she served as Chair for the past four years.

Director

David M. Wattling, ICD.D, CMC

(Board member since 2020)

Dave provides strategy, business growth, M&A and governance services to public, private and non-profit organizations that are focused on healthcare transformation, domestically and abroad.

Prior to his retirement from TELUS in March 2018, Dave was responsible to deliver breakthrough growth in support of TELUS’ health agenda. He accomplished this by leveraging M&A, ventures investment, strategic partnerships and international channels. These activities were framed within a broad thought leadership, government relations and communications programme on behalf of the company. Previously for TELUS Dave led the $120m public sector health business, bringing a wide variety of solutions and professional services to large enterprise clients across North America.

An accomplished entrepreneur, Dave has built and sold a number of successful software and services businesses. He joined TELUS in 2011 when they acquired Courtyard Group, the 200-person international healthcare management consulting firm that he co-founded in 2002.

Dave is a voracious volunteer. He co-founded ITAC-Health, the Canadian association of ICT firms actively involved in the healthcare sector. He presently chairs the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation board in Ontario, supporting the health of his community.

In 2012, he was bestowed with both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, and ITAC Health’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, he was awarded the 150th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal for volunteer service to his community.

Director

Ted Walker

(Board member since 2018)

Ted Walker is a life-long resident of Tay and is serving his first term as Mayor of Tay Township.

Ted completed his Municipal Administration studies through Queen’s University and the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO).

Ted began his municipal career in the former Village of Victoria Harbour in 1975. He subsequently became Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the former Village of Port McNicoll from 1984 to 1992, Tay Township from 1992 to 2007, and Town of Midland from 2007 until his retirement in 2013.

Following retirement, Ted started a municipal consulting business and acted as interim CAO for Township of Georgian Bay and Town of Penetanguishene. Additionally, he facilitated the annual CAO appraisal process for Township of Georgian Bay, and in 2017, undertook a project for Township of Oro-Medonte developing their election plan for the 2018 municipal election.

Ted is a member of the Ontario Municipal Administrators’ Association and AMCTO. He enjoyed many years of minor league coaching in baseball and hockey in Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Midland.

Director

John Taylor

(Board member since 2018)

John was first elected as Regional Councillor in 2006. He is currently Mayor for the Town of Newmarket, representing the Town on both Town Council and York Region Council.

In addition to sitting on the Newmarket Economic Development Advisory Committee, John is the past Chair of the York Region Planning and Economic Development Committee. He currently chairs Housing York Inc. and is a member of the Human Services Planning Board (HSPB) of York Region and the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation.

Previously John worked for the Minister of Community and Social Services at Queen’s Park. He has worked in the field of education at the secondary and post-secondary levels. John also worked as an independent investment consultant and was a partner in a logistics and transportation company.

John was born and raised in Newmarket and attended high school locally. While attending Trent University, The University of Toronto, and The University of British Columbia, John earned bachelor degrees in English and Education, a Master’s degree in Canadian Studies, and a Ph.D. in Education.

Director

Dino Priore, P.Eng., MBA, ICD.D

(Board member since 2021)

Dino brings over 30 years of extensive knowledge in the operations of an electricity distribution company. Prior to retiring from Toronto Hydro, Dino held the position of EVP and Chief Engineering and Construction Officer which oversaw the life-cycle asset management of the company’s electrical grid, as well as the execution of all design, construction and maintenance programs. In addition to delivering power safely and reliably to Canada’s largest city, Dino was responsible for complex customer connection and transit expansion projects in support of Toronto’s growth. He led the innovation portfolio designed to integrate renewable energy solutions and begin the transition to an interactive grid.

A professional engineer, Dino holds a bachelor degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Schulich Business School at York University. He graduated with honors standing from both institutions and is the recipient of several academic scholarships and distinctions. Recently he attained the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Dino is currently on the Advisory Board for Metsco Energy Solutions and on the charity Board of the Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association. For seven years, he also served on the Advisory Board for Ryerson University’s Centre for Urban Energy.