Executive Management Team

Our Executive Management Team has a depth of experience in energy and related fields. They are responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the company and oversees the day-to-day activities of Powerex and its employees. Members are:

Tom Bechard

President & CEO

Tom Bechard was appointed as President & CEO of Powerex effective December 11, 2017. Reporting to the Powerex Board of Directors, Tom brings his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the wholesale power and gas trading and marketing business to ensure that Powerex is well positioned to capture opportunities within rapidly evolving markets across North America. Tom joined BC Hydro in 1990 and held various roles in engineering and operations until moving to Powerex in 1997. At Powerex Tom has held a number of leadership roles, was instrumental in building the company’s natural gas trading business, and in 2010 became a Managing Director for the Trading team, with a primary focus on the Alberta trading business as well as Powerex’s natural gas trading. Tom holds a Professional Engineering designation in B.C. and a degree in engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Amit Budhwar

Director, Risk Management

Amit is responsible for the Risk Management Group, tasked with measuring and mitigating market, credit and operational risks inherent in a business actively trading in the North American Energy markets. As part of the Powerex Executive Team, he assists with day-to-day governance and providing long-term strategic direction to the company. Prior to joining Powerex, Amit gained experience through delivering derivatives modelling and management solutions to companies involved in the financial markets, including banks, hedge funds, government agencies and regulators, accounting firms, and software consulting and service firms. He has participated in various industry risk organizations including the Committee of Chief Risk Officers (CCRO). Amit holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College in London, and an MBA from the University of British Columbia, specializing in Finance.

Rob Campbell

Managing Director, Environmental Products and Gas

Rob is responsible for analytics, marketing, business development, gas trading, forward trading and Powerex's activity in renewable and carbon markets. Rob joined Powerex in 2007 and has been active in electricity trading since 1996. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queens University, and an MBA (Finance) from the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining Powerex, Rob was Head Trader at TransAlta Energy Marketing.

Frank Durnford

Executive Director, Market Policy

Frank leads Powerex's Market Policy team, which is responsible for Powerex’s market advocacy and policy initiatives including energy market design and regulation, clean and renewable energy policy, and transmission tariffs. Frank joined Powerex in 2021 and brings over 16 years of legal and regulatory experience, including over a decade as in-house counsel with a major North American diversified energy company and a district energy and water utility.

Frank holds an LL. B. from Dalhousie University, in addition to a Post-Graduate Diploma from Säid Business School at the University of Oxford and an Undergraduate degree from Memorial University.

Mark Holman

Managing Director, Power

Mark is responsible for Powerex's power trading and leads our Front Office operations team. Mark joined Powerex, and the energy trading industry, in 2001 as a real time power trader. Prior to joining Powerex, Mark worked in portfolio management in the mid-1990s and led an internet technology company from 1999 to 2001. Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of British Columbia and is a CFA® charterholder.

Julie Mantle

Director, People & Culture

Julie was appointed HR Director in September 2008, coming to Powerex from Intrawest where she was Director of Employee Experience and responsible for a team of twelve HR professionals based in Vancouver, the U.S. and Europe. She was accountable for a full range of HR activities, programs, and initiatives, including strategic workforce planning, performance management, compensation and benefits, and HRIS. Prior to working for Intrawest, Julie held various positions within the Provincial Health Services Agency, including Manager of HR for Children's & Women's Health Centre, Senior Labour Relations Advisor, and Manager of Employee Services. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, and a Diploma in Human Resources Management from BCIT. Julie brings to the Executive Team her HR skills and experience in performance management, employer relations, compensation, organizational design, and leadership coaching.

Jay Ratzlaff

Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Corporate Secretary

As member of Powerex's Executive Team, Jay is responsible for the Legal & Compliance group and is the company’s Corporate Secretary. Jay joined Powerex in 2005, and has experience in a wide variety of legal areas including energy, renewable energy, corporate and commercial, finance, bankruptcy & insolvency, regulatory, corporate governance and environmental law. Jay previously practiced at the Calgary law firm of Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP as a solicitor in their corporate and commercial group.

Rebecca Richings

Chief Financial Officer

Rebecca joined Powerex Corp. in 2006 and has been Chief Financial Officer since 2017. Rebecca is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). She brings to the role a strong financial acumen, strategic insight and collaborative approach to undertake and complete a variety of key initiatives. Prior to joining Powerex, Rebecca held various financial positions with energy and natural resource companies.

Orang Towfigh

Chief Information Officer

Orang leads the Information Technology (IT) team which crafts and executes the organization's IT strategy, ensuring seamless support for its 24/7 business operations. Leveraging leading-edge technologies, his team maintains a robust and secure IT infrastructure across Powerex's offices and data centers. They also pioneer custom solutions, empowering Powerex with top-tier market intelligence and transaction capabilities. Comprising operational, architectural, development, and cybersecurity specialists, the IT team embodies Powerex's commitment to excellence. Orang, who joined Powerex in 2006, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and previously worked at Ernst & Young.