Powerful Connections

In our season two finale, I spoke with Carl Haeussler, Director of Business Development at Brookfield Renewables (EVOLUGEN), and a good industry associate. We discuss generation at a high level with a focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). BESS has seen rapid growth in recent years. It is a simple concept for storing excess energy from a high voltage grid or local distribution network, an...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of continuing the discussion from last episode with Brendon Fenton (VP, PowerNorth Utility Contractors Inc.) and his partner Nick Gatien (President, PowerNorth). We discuss the future of the high voltage industry and the next 25 years. Maintaining current customer as well as finding new opportunities to provide high level services. Being engaged early with long-...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Brendon Fenton (VP, PowerNorth Utility Contractors Inc.) and his partner Nick Gatien (President, PowerNorth). We discuss today’s issues with People, Equipment, Materials, and Resources in the high voltage business realm. Maintaining good working relationships with equipment vendors. The standard of equipment is important because the investment in...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Amélie Morissette (Senior Strategic Planning Manager) and Julie Turgeon (VP Construction) from INNERGEX. We review a number of points related to Project Execution Planning in the Energy Sector. The energy sector is experiencing unprecedented growth and the next ten years will see $100 billion+ per year in renewable generation. Managing the proje...

In this episode, I speak with Rob McNeil (President, Composite Power) about the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the energy sector in grid transformation. There are three areas we cover in identifying impact: the business and operations of Composite Power, suppliers they represent, and their customers. The initial steps are to help customers deploy equipment to collect data, and the challenge...

In this episode, I speak with Christine Goulais (CEO, NBISIING Power) and Brendan Huston (CEO, Nipissing First Nation (NFN)) about creating Indigenous business, economic growth, and building something meaningful for the community. There is incredible opportunity to build long-term, meaningful relationships that foster things like innovation, inclusion, and shared business success. Having a seat at...

In this episode, I speak with Merv McLeod (co-founder, McLeod Wood Associates Inc.) about Indigenous Communities and dealing with generational wealth. How do you transfer the value of an Indigenous business to family, or keep it a business on a First Nation Reserve? How do you enter business, grow it, and then transfer from generation to generation? Equity and Credit do not exist in a First Nation...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Brad Duguid, senior advisor at Sussex Strategy Group and the new President of The Association of Major Power Consumers Ontario (AMPCO). Brad was a councillor for almost ten years in the city of Scarborough and Toronto, and a provincial MPP for 13 years. He has had seven ministries, including Aboriginal Affairs, Labour, Energy & Infrastructure...

In this episode, Christine Goulais (CEO, NBISIING Power) and Rob McNeil (President, Composite Power Group Inc.) present the importance and value of Indigenous Relationships and Partnerships. They discuss why their Partnership works so well. They both have their histories and journeys that have led them to this point where they meet in their careers, and they reveal how their openness and constant...

In this episode, I speak with Andy Kerr (Director, HSE at ALECTRA Utilities) about Culture in the High Risk Sector. Andy is one of the best Subject Matter Experts I know in Health and Safety. He was involved in one of the first Arc Flash Risk Assessments for the Utility Industry in 2002, worked for the legacy E*USA, and is now at ALECTRA. We discuss the items of human behaviour not written in regu...

In Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Powerful Connections podcast, I discuss with my guest analyst, Rene Gatien a number of ideas of things that need to happen and great advice for going forward in the industry.  Rene is a retired Utility CEO with 40 years of experience in the Utility world in Ontario. He will provide great insight into how the utilities and energy sector deal with planning, risk revie...

In Season 1 , I talked to the people in the Energy and Construction sectors that you want in your corner to make a project happen. Now that you’ve met who , in Season 2 I’ll focus on what .   What do we need to do? We are going to discuss many topics and current issues facing us with the increased demand for electricity. How do we manage the pressures of project delivery for system capacity, relia...

This is a special episode with Nick Gatien, President of PowerNorth. We are going to discuss numerous topics on how the future is bright. This is one of the shining stars Powering the North! Please subscribe to my podcast, and connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien .

This is such a big topic, I needed two guests. Rob McNeil (President, Composite Power), and Alexei Miecznikowski (CEO, Northern Transformer) join me in a great discussion on today’s world of Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and new normal that the industry is embracing to make sure equipment and materials are available.  Please join us for a great exchange. Please subscribe to my podcast, and connect...

We discuss how to deliver on a project or service agreement with Brendon Fenton, VP of PowerNorth. An engaging and enlightening discussion on best practices, customer relations, and performing at a high level. Please subscribe to my podcast, and connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien .

This is a great episode about Risk Management. My guest is Guy Jolicoeur, VP of NFP Canada. Guy works out of the Toronto and Sudbury offices. His role within the technical risks and construction/infrastructure team allows him to share his knowledge. Many items of planning, review and managing are discussed. This is an informative episode. Please listen in on this one. One of the great people I hav...

My guest on this episode is Mike Doherty, Health and Safety Consultant from Port Perry, Ontario. Mike brings a passion and focus on Health and Safety topics that will open you to proven and new approaches. We will cover Mentoring, Risk Assessment, Quality Job Planning, Organisational Health, Foundational Items, Enabling Loops, Learning Organization, No Blame Culture, and Human Performance. This is...

Today I welcome my older brother Rene Gatien, who retired from the utility world as CEO of Waterloo North Hydro and co-CEO of the newly formed ENOVA Power. We are going to discuss relationships and connections, many items of thought leadership, employee empowerment, and Rene’s favourite item VABEs. Tune in for an interesting episode. Please subscribe to my podcast, and connect with me on my websit...

In this episode, we are going to have a great discussion with Merv McLeod, one of the leading First Nations advisors and strategists, about his experience with government. Merv specialises in Business Development, Negotiations, and Community Engagement. We are going to look into opportunities, and how this creates employment, economic development, and prosperity. Please subscribe to my podcast, an...

Join us in a discussion with Pat Chilton (CEO, Five Nations Energy Inc.) as we discuss planning from an Indigenous point of view. Pat will show how the experiences he has had in different sectors, and his dedication to his family, led him to be the right choice for FNEI. We discuss the planning involved in major transmission, and the economic development happening. Please subscribe to my podcast,...

This is an exposure to the hard stuff in project pre-development. Lloyd Girman is one of the very few people in this world that can do the necessary work to convince people they have a project. He is realistic on the order of magnitude of the effort to get any project to a point where the politics and the economics fit. Lloyd focuses on large scale infrastructure. He is part of Enterprise Canada....

In Episode 3 of the Powerful Connections podcast, I will discuss with my guest Chris Benedetti, Partner with Sussex Strategy Group, the importance of Strategy, Communications and Solutions when dealing with Regulations, Policies, Government Relations and Public Affairs. Chris is a leading expert in Strategy, Strategic Communications, and Solutions for Stakeholders. This is a great discussion on th...

In this episode of Powerful Connections, Marc Rose and I discuss all the items for Environmental Planning and Permitting. Marc is Vice President at Morrison Hershfield in Markham; more specifically the Business Development Lead of the Environmental Business Unit. Marc has extensive experience with all aspects of the undertakings of project development, planning, environmental reviewing, and permit...

Welcome to the first episode of Powerful Connections! For the first episode, I’m joined by Dave Trafford from Story Studio Network to help me introduce myself, as well as my company, DGG5 Advising, which is the leading "Opportunity Maker" for Energy and Construction Projects. Together, we'll explore my background, passion, and the unique expertise I bring to the table. Please subscribe to my podca...

Strategy, Planning, and Risk Review are all vital in getting your project to the finish line. For over 40 years I’ve planned and built many projects. And my new company, DGG5 Advising, is now the “Opportunity Maker” for the energy and construction sectors. Let me help you make a solid plan, bring the right people to the table and help you execute your projects. My guests and I will share our exper...