Chair, Independent Director

Appointed September 2000

Nancy Taylor is the Chair of the Board of Directors at Utilities Kingston, bringing over 20 years of expertise in the utility sector. Her leadership spans critical areas such as engineering, gas and electricity operations, human resources, and governance. Notably, Nancy played a crucial role in transitioning Utilities Kingston from a public utility to a private business corporation.

She holds a Master of Health Science from the University of Toronto and started her career in occupational health, with roles in consulting, private industry, and the Province of Nova Scotia. In 1991, Nancy joined the Public Utilities Commission of the City of Kingston. An accredited director with Corporate Directors International, she has also served on various boards, including Ontario One Call and the Electricity Distributors Association.

Chief Administrative Officer,
City of Kingston

Appointed December 2019

Lanie Hurdle is the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Kingston, where she leads the implementation of City Council’s Strategic Plan and collaborates with local agencies, boards, post-secondary institutions, and community partners. Lanie joined the City in 2006, having previously held roles as Commissioner of Community Services, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, and Director of Project Development. She has served as CAO since 2019.

Lanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Windsor and has over 23 years of experience in municipal management. Her expertise spans strategic planning, economic development, community planning, capital infrastructure development, public engagement, financial management, and organizational change.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Appointed January 2022

David Fell has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro Corporation since January 2022. In this role, he steers the organization’s strategic direction, prioritizing the delivery of reliable utility services while fostering innovation within the sector.

David holds a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from McMaster University. Before joining Utilities Kingston, David served as the CEO of the Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network (EORN), where he managed a $400 million investment to expand high-speed broadband access in rural communities. His leadership at EORN was instrumental in bridging the digital divide across Eastern Ontario.

Earlier in his career, David co-founded and served as Vice President of Operitel, an eLearning software company recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 fastest-growing companies by Profit Magazine. His entrepreneurial experience and business acumen have greatly influenced his leadership approach in the utilities sector. David is also actively engaged in the Kingston community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Kingston Health Sciences Centre and chairing its Governance Committee.

Independent Director

Appointed May 2023

Donna Janiec has served as Vice-Principal, Finance and Administration, at Queen’s University since October 2016. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo and achieved her Chartered Accountant designation in 1987 after articling with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Barbados and Toronto. With nearly a decade of experience in public accounting, managing audits for large corporations and not-for-profit organisations, Donna joined Queen’s University in 1994.

Donna has been actively involved in various Senate, Board, and University Advisory Committees throughout her career at Queen’s. Her significant contributions to student life were recognized with an Honorary Life Membership from the Alma Mater Society in 2019.

In addition to her role at Queen’s, Donna chairs the Council of Senior Administrative Officers and is a past president of the Canadian Association of University Business Officers. Recognized as a Chartered Professional Accountant Ontario Fellow in 2021, Donna also contributes to several other boards.

Independent Director

Appointed October 2012

William C. Leggett is a retired university administrator and educator with a rich academic background. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Master of Science from the University of Waterloo, and a Doctorate in Zoology from McGill University.

As a leader in the fields of Population Biology and the Dynamics of Large Marine Ecosystems, Bill has held prominent roles including Chair of Biology, Dean of Science, and Vice-Principal Academic at McGill University, as well as Principal of Queen’s University. His contributions to academia and research have been recognized through his appointments as a Member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Bill has also served on the boards of McGill University, Queen’s University, and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, and was President of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Beyond his academic achievements, Bill has been deeply involved in the Kingston community. He has contributed to various local initiatives, including the Success By Six Council of Partners, the KFL&A United Way, and the City of Kingston’s Airport Advisory Committee.

Independent Director

Appointed September 2000

Robert Little is a retired Senior Partner at Cunningham Swan, where he practiced in multiple areas including Education Law, Municipal Law, Land Use Planning, Real Estate, and Wills, Trusts, and Estates. A Kingston native, Bob earned an Honours degree in Politics and Economics and an LL.B. from Queen’s University. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1976.

Throughout his career, Bob has held key positions such as Assistant Crown Attorney, Lecturer in Municipal and Planning Law at Queen’s Law School, and President of the Frontenac Law Association, the Kingston YMCA, and the Canadian Association of University Solicitors.

Currently, Bob serves as Vice-Chair of the Limestone Learning Foundation and as a Director at the Churchill Foundation. His leadership and community contributions have been recognized with the Padre Laverty Award for his impact on Queen’s University and the Paul Harris Award from the Kingston Rotary Club for outstanding service to the community.

President and Chief Executive Officer

David Fell has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro Corporation since January 2022. In this role, he steers the organization’s strategic direction, prioritizing the delivery of reliable utility services while fostering innovation within the sector.

David holds a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from McMaster University. Before joining Utilities Kingston, David served as the CEO of the Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network (EORN), where he managed a $400 million investment to expand high-speed broadband access in rural communities. His leadership at EORN was instrumental in bridging the digital divide across Eastern Ontario.

Earlier in his career, David co-founded and served as Vice President of Operitel, an eLearning software company recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 fastest-growing companies by Profit Magazine. His entrepreneurial experience and business acumen have greatly influenced his leadership approach in the utilities sector. David is also actively engaged in the Kingston community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Kingston Health Sciences Centre and chairing its Governance Committee.

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Corporate Secretary

Randy Murphy is the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at Utilities Kingston, where he provides strategic financial leadership. He oversees corporate accounting, external reporting, financial planning and analysis, corporate tax, treasury, insurance, billing, and regulatory affairs.

As Corporate Secretary, he is responsible for ensuring the integrity of and the efficient administration of the company’s governance framework and ensuring compliance with statutory corporate requirements.

With over 30 years of experience in financial leadership, including over 20 years at Utilities Kingston, Randy previously held senior roles in public accounting, specializing in personal and corporate tax planning and corporate reorganizations. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Ontario and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting from the University of Ottawa.