Alum Appointed CEO of Fortis Inc.

David Hutchens, who earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Arizona in 1988, will be appointed CEO of Fortis Inc. at the beginning of 2021, after the current CEO Barry Perry announced his retirement. 

Fortis is a Canada-based gas and electric utility company with billions in annual revenue and thousands of employees, serving five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries.

According to a press release, Hutchens was appointed chief operating officer of Fortis in January 2020, while concurrently serving as CEO of UNS Energy, the parent company of Tucson Electric Power. In this position, Hutchens was integral in the development of the corporation's strategic business plan and led initiatives on safety and operational excellence.

"I'm excited about leading Fortis into a new chapter of growth driven by our transition to a cleaner energy future," Hutchens said. "Our continued focus on energy delivery, our effective business model supporting our growth strategy, proven dividend track record and outlook, and our strong ESG profile make Fortis a premium North American utility. With my colleagues, I look forward to leading this incredible company, inspiring excellence in customer service and strengthening our partnerships with community and industry."