Lakefront Group of Companies Welcomes Three Leaders to its Boards of Directors
The Lakefront Group of Companies is pleased to announce the appointment of three highly respected leaders to its Boards of Directors, further strengthening governance and strategic leadership as the organization continues to expand and evolve in meeting the energy and water needs of the communities it serves.
Effective October 1, 2025, the Honourable Todd Smith, former Ontario Minister of Energy, will join the Board of Directors of Town of Cobourg Holdings Inc. In addition, Ryan W. MacDermid, Vice President, Risk Management and Legal at Russel Metals Inc., will join the Lakefront Utilities Inc. (LUI) Board of Directors. Earlier this summer, on August 1, 2025, Michael Angemeer, P.Eng., former CEO of Veridian Corporation, joined the LUI Board of Directors.
“These appointments bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and proven leadership to Lakefront,” said Dereck Paul, President & CEO of Lakefront Utilities Inc. and Lakefront Utility Services Inc. “Their diverse experience across government, energy, utilities, law, and corporate governance will be invaluable as we continue advancing innovation, ensuring reliability, and delivering value to the communities we serve.”
About the New Directors
The Honourable Todd Smith
As Vice-President, Marketing and Business Development at Candu Energy Inc. (an AtkinsRéalis company), Todd Smith is responsible for international business growth and sales of the Canadian-developed CANDU® nuclear reactor. Prior to joining the private sector in 2024, Smith served as an elected Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario for 13 years, holding several senior Cabinet positions, including Minister of Energy, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, and Government House Leader. As Minister of Energy, Smith championed significant initiatives to meet Ontario’s growing electricity demand, including launching the first new nuclear builds in more than two decades. Before politics, he was a well-known broadcaster in Eastern Ontario. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Smith is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick and Loyalist College.
Ryan W. MacDermid
Ryan MacDermid is a seasoned business and legal executive with two decades of experience advising Boards and executive teams across a broad spectrum of corporate, legal, and operational matters. He currently serves as Vice President, Risk Management and Legal at Russel Metals Inc. (TSX:RUS), where he oversees enterprise risk management, insurance, legal affairs, and corporate governance, in addition to serving as President of Thunder Bay Terminals Ltd. Prior to Russel Metals, he was a partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and governance. MacDermid is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B.), Queen’s University (B.A. Honours), and holds the ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
Michael Angemeer, P.Eng.
Michael Angemeer brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in Ontario’s electricity utility sector, including 15 years as President & CEO of Veridian Corporation. Throughout his career, Angemeer has been recognized for advancing safety, reliability, and customer service while promoting innovation such as early adoption of electric vehicle technologies. He has held numerous governance roles, including serving as Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association, Ontario Energy Association, Durham Strategic Energy Alliance, and the Spark Centre, as well as on the Board of Ontario Tech University. Angemeer holds a BASc in Electrical Engineering with Management Science from the University of Waterloo, is a Registered Professional Engineer, and has completed executive development and governance programs at Queen’s University and the Directors College, DeGroote School of Business.
About Lakefront Group of Companies
The Lakefront Group of Companies, through Town of Cobourg Holdings Inc., Lakefront Utilities Inc., and Lakefront Utility Services Inc., provides safe, reliable, and innovative electricity and water services to residents and businesses in Cobourg, Colborne, Grafton, Hamilton Township, and surrounding communities. Guided by a commitment to reliability, innovation, and community service, Lakefront continues to invest in infrastructure and customer-focused solutions that support sustainable growth.
Author: Pete Fisher
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