Trans Mountain names new CEO

Key Takeaways:

• Dawn Farrell, previously TransAlta’s CEO, will take over as president and CEO of Trans Mountain.
• Farrell joins the corporation as the Trans Mountain Expansion Project passes 60 per cent completion.
• Officials say interim president Rob Van Walleghem will remain part of the corporation’s senior leadership team.

The Whole Story:

The Trans Mountain Corporation’s board of directors announced that Dawn Farrell has taken over as president and CEO. Farrell will also serve as a member of the board. 

Farrell has spent more than 35 years in the energy business.

“I am excited to be joining the team at Trans Mountain as it continues its work of completing one of Canada’s most important infrastructure projects,” said Farrell. “The Trans Mountain Expansion Project has been in planning and construction for the past 12 years and, as it passes the 60 per cent completion mark, I look forward to leading the organization to this project’s end while steering the next phase of the Ccmpany’s future.”

She has held various senior level positions, including most recently president and CEO of TransAlta Corporation where she led the company’s transition away from coal-fired electrical generation. Trans Mountain officials stated that the effort was one of the most significant carbon emissions reduction achievements in Canada’s effort to address climate change.

Trans Mountain officials noted that Farrell’s experience as a high level executive at a large public company will bring deep expertise and significant international business presence to Trans Mountain. Farrell spent three years as TransAlta CEO which included executing complex projects, working with Indigenous communities and completing company-wide cultural transformation.

Trans Mountain officials added that these are all important areas of expertise that will provide benefit. Farrell also has extensive experience with capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and has led the negotiation and evaluation of a critical, intricate transaction with government.

“We are pleased that Dawn has chosen to join the strong team at Trans Mountain,” said William Downe, chairman of Trans Mountain’s board. “A community builder with a steadfast commitment to strengthening Canada, Dawn has proven to be a dynamic and thoughtful leader, successfully leading organizations through change and revitalization. We are confident that her broad-based knowledge, experience, and her background with governments and Indigenous communities will be a tremendous asset to Trans Mountain as it completes the expansion project and navigates the next stages of the Company’s future.”

Downe thanked interim president Rob Van Walleghem for his leadership of the company during this period of transition and added that he will continue in a senior executive leadership role at the company.

Farrell is currently the chair of the board for The Chemours Company and Portland General Electric. She has held past board positions including the Business Council of Canada, Alberta Business Council, Calgary Stampede, Conference Board of Canada, Mount Royal College/University Board of Governors and Foundation Board of Directors, Fording Coal Income Fund, New Relationship Trust, and Vision Quest Windelectric. Farrell has contributed to electricity and environmental policy development in Alberta, B.C. and federally.

Farrell is currently the chancellor for Mount Royal University and a member of the Trilateral Commission, a non-governmental, policy-oriented international forum, as well as community champion for Momentum.