The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) announced today that Jim Ellis, president and Chief Executive Officer, will resign from the organization, effective January 31, 2019. Mr. Ellis joined the AER in 2013 as the first CEO for the newly-formed regulator.
Mr. Ellis worked with the Government of Alberta and the AER Board of Directors to build the new regulator, merging the regulatory functions of the former Energy Resources Conservation Board with those of former Environment and Sustainable Resources Development (now Alberta Environment and Parks) related to oil and gas development to create a single, full-lifecycle regulator for Alberta.
“Jim’s leadership and strategic vision has been vital to the launch and growth of the Alberta Energy Regulator,” said AER Chair Sheila O’Brien. “He built a new organization from the ground up, ensuring that the needs of all stakeholders were embedded in the decision making framework of the AER.”
Throughout his term as CEO, Mr. Ellis has led a team that focused on initiatives that have delivered more than $2 billion in industry savings while protecting public safety and the environment. The AER recently announced new regulatory efficiency initiatives to further transform the regulator to better respond to new developments in technology and changing stakeholder expectations.
“The AER is a trusted, effective, and more efficient regulator today because of the leadership of Jim Ellis,” added Ms. O’Brien. “The AER Board wishes Jim all the very best in the future and offers our gratitude for his service and the legacy he leaves at the AER.”
This decision has been in the planning stages for the past several months. The Board of the AER will begin a broad based search for the new CEO immediately to ensure continuity of leadership in the organization.