Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Names Noel Black Chief Regulatory and External Affairs Officer
OAKVILLE, Ontario — Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX/NYSE: AQN) ('AQN', 'Algonquin' or the 'Company') today announced the appointment of Noel Black as Chief Regulatory and External Affairs Officer, effective June 30. In this newly created role, Mr. Black will lead the Company's regulatory strategy, government and stakeholder relations, and external communications functions. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, he will drive enterprise strategy and alignment, working closely with regulatory commissions, policymakers, community leaders, and other external stakeholders, to advance Algonquin's pure-play utility objectives.
Article content
'Noel brings a rare combination of regulatory fluency, public affairs acumen, and deep stakeholder engagement experience,' said Rod West, Chief Executive Officer of AQN. 'This appointment reflects our commitment to align our stakeholders around Algonquin's customer-first pure-play utility value proposition. Noel has built a distinguished career leading regulatory strategy, customer engagement, and utilities operations, and his expertise will help us better align our services with the needs of our customers, communities, and regulators. Noel's collaborative approach and proven track record of delivering constructive regulatory outcomes will be instrumental as we advance our 'Back to Basics' customer-centric plan—seeking to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy and water, while creating customer value and driving performance, innovation, and trust across our four key stakeholder groups.'
Article content
Mr. Black's experience spans over three decades at Southern Company (NYSE:SO), one of the largest U.S. utilities serving over nine million customers, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs. Throughout his career at Southern Company and its affiliates, Mr. Black served in a wide range of leadership roles across regulatory policy, governmental affairs, and strategic planning, successfully navigating complex regulatory matters at the federal and state levels, driving forward-looking retail strategies, and building trusted relationships with policymakers, communities, and customers. His deep expertise will directly support the work of AQN's operating utilities.
Article content
About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and Liberty
Article content
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. AQN is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions through its portfolio of generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. AQN's common shares, preferred shares, Series A, and preferred shares, Series D are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares and Series 2019-A subordinated notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN and AQNB, respectively.
Article content
Visit AQN at www.algonquinpower.com and follow us on X.com @AQN_Utilities.
Article content
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Article content
Certain statements included in this news release constitute ''forward-looking information'' within the meaning of applicable securities laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and the respective policies, regulations and rules under such laws and ''forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, ''forward-looking statements'). The words 'will', 'expects', 'plans', and 'seeks' (and grammatical variations of such terms) and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected impact and outcomes of Noel Black's hiring as Chief Regulatory and External Affairs Officer and the Company's 'Back to Basics' customer-centric plan. These statements are based on factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions based on historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. AQN cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are provided for the purposes of assisting in understanding the Company and its business, operations, risks, financial performance, financial position and/or cash flows as at and for the periods indicated and to present information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Material risk factors and assumptions include those set out in AQN's annual information form and annual management discussion & analysis, each for the year ended December 31, 2024, and management discussion & analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2025, each of which is or will be available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of their dates. Other than as specifically required by law, AQN undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Contacts
Article content
Investor Inquiries:
Article content
Article content
Alison Holditch
Article content
Manager, Investor Relations
Article content
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
Article content
Article content
E-mail:
Article content
InvestorRelations@APUCorp.com
Article content
Article content
Telephone: (905) 465-4500
Article content
Media Inquiries:
Article content
Article content
Stephanie Bose
Article content
Article content
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Article content
Article content
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
Article content
Article content
E-mail:
Article content
Article content
Article content
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Prediction: Quantum Computing Stock Will Be Worth This Much in 2030
Key Points Quantum Computing has emerged alongside other popular quantum stocks such as IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum over the last year. While the company's approach to building quantum applications is interesting, past ambitions in other markets and an inconsistent financial profile should make investors pause before blindly buying the hype narrative. Although Quantum Computing has interesting potential, the amount of unknowns surrounding the company's future are hard to ignore. 10 stocks we like better than Quantum Computing › One of the more curious companies that has piqued investor intrigue in the quantum computing market is a business called (wait for it!) Quantum Computing (NASDAQ: QUBT). With a name like that, I wonder how it landed on so many radars. Sarcasm aside, Quantum Computing (the business) deserves a look -- and not just because of its 2,400% share price gains over the last year. To me, the company's technological promises and its actual business just don't align. Let's explore how Quantum Computing is attempting to disrupt the artificial intelligence (AI) realm and then dig into whether or not the company has what it takes to fulfill its lofty ambitions. Is Quantum Computing the next multibagger AI stock? Read on to find out. Quantum Computing might look like an exciting company on the surface, but... Quantum-based applications have the potential to transform the computing industry thanks to their fundamentally differentiated architectures. In simple terms, classical computing is based on binary code, written through a series of bits expressed as 1 or 0. Quantum computing uses qubits, which means they can exist as both 1 and 0 at the same time -- a process known as superposition. This allows for more complex information processing compared to today's classical computers. There are multiple ways that companies are developing qubits. IonQ relies on a process called trapped-ion, which essentially uses lasers to trap atoms and use them as the foundation of a qubit. Meanwhile, other competitors such as Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum use superconducting circuits and quantum annealing techniques to make qubits. Quantum Computing, on the other hand, is using light (photons) as opposed to Rigetti and D-Wave's electricity-based foundation or IonQ's trapped atom technology. In theory, photonic qubits may be more energy efficient and easier to scale than other approaches that are heavily reliant on sophisticated cooling systems. ... there are quite a few red flags to point out Before buying into the idea that Quantum Computing is on the verge of a technological breakthrough, consider the following: Quantum Computing was once known as Innovative Beverage Group Holdings (IBGH). Why did the company pivot from beverages to qubits? Well, consider that IBGH went out of business, and the leftover management team decided to acquire a small company called QPhoton and completely shift its focus to quantum computing. Over the last year, Quantum Computing has generated $385,000 in sales. While the idea of photonic qubits is interesting, Quantum Computing is far from building a competitive moat over its rivals. The company's nominal revenue base and unproven roadmap hint at possible liquidity crunches down the road. For now, Quantum Computing appears to be relying on issuing stock as a means to raise cash and fund the operation. Despite these red flags, Quantum Computing has seen its market value climb from $55 million to $2.4 billion in just one year. QUBT Market Cap data by YCharts The company's valuation is far higher than what investors witnessed during prior stock market bubbles during the internet boom and the COVID-19 stock market euphoria. Where will Quantum Computing stock be in five years? Given the ideas explored above, it's clear that Quantum Computing has virtually nothing to show for its supposed innovative photonic processes. The lack of strategic partners and product-market fit has me thinking that Quantum Computing offers more along the lines of vaporware than anything groundbreaking at this time. With ongoing research and development (R&D) and capital expenditures (capex) required to explore quantum technology, Quantum Computing is likely going to continue tapping the capital markets for liquidity unless some transformative deals begin to take shape -- which I suspect is highly unlikely. In my eyes, Quantum Computing stock is benefiting for one reason above all else. The company's name isn't just associated with one of AI's hottest new themes -- it's literally the name of the actual trend. To me, this is a case study revolving around the idea of investors blindly chasing narratives over sound fundamentals. I think that Quantum Computing is headed toward insolvency and could wind up bankrupt by 2030 (if not sooner). Alternatively, regulators could begin to scrutinize the company more heavily, and Quantum Computing could end up as a delisted stock. Regardless of how things shake out, I think Quantum Computing's equity value will diminish significantly in the coming years. For this reason, I think the company will have little-to-no value by the end of the decade. Should you invest $1,000 in Quantum Computing right now? Before you buy stock in Quantum Computing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Quantum Computing wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,041% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025


Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Can Cava Become the Next Chipotle?
Key Points Cava plans to expand its store presence from less than 400 locations today to 1,000 in 2032. Bullish investors would love for the up-and-coming fast-casual concept to become as big as Chipotle. Chipotle not only has 10 times as many stores as Cava, but the Tex-Mex chain is still growing. 10 stocks we like better than Cava Group › Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) brought innovation to the restaurant sector, pioneering the fast-casual dining concept and scaling it across the U.S. and beyond. The Tex-Mex chain is a leader in the industry, with strong growth and impressive profitability. Its success has spawned copycats. Cava (NYSE: CAVA) is a Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant chain that's expanding rapidly itself. But it's much smaller today. That hasn't prevented investors from asking what the business might look like down the road. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Does Cava have what it takes to one day become the next Chipotle? Here's what investors must know. Opening new stores rapidly Cava is finding success thanks to some key factors. It's betting on consumers' rising interest in healthy food choices. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world. What's more, Cava is trying to copy what has worked so well for Chipotle: The fast-casual dining concept. This combines the speed, convenience, and accessibility people appreciate with fast-food restaurants, but it does so with higher-quality ingredients. By benefiting from these two trends, Cava has seen tremendous growth. The company opened 15 net new stores in the fiscal 2025 first quarter (ended April 20), bringing the total to 382. This supported a 28.2% year-over-year gain in revenue, which was boosted by impressive same-store sales (SSS) growth of 10.8%. That figure is noteworthy because it happened during a time when consumer sentiment has been under pressure. Cava's profitability is getting better. Last fiscal quarter, the operating margin came in at 4.7%. This was a meaningful improvement from the 3.6% operating margin from the year-ago period. Looking ahead, the leadership team has plans to get to 1,000 stores by 2032. Expanding the physical footprint by about three-fold would unquestionably lead to much higher revenue and earnings down the road. Cava's biggest bulls hope this happens, and it would get the business closer to Chipotle's size. Don't question Chipotle's dominance To be clear, Chipotle is experiencing a slowdown, as people prioritize getting more value from the money they spend. The company's same-store sales dipped in each of the last two quarters, a very unusual occurrence for the industry leader. Nonetheless, Chipotle is still a top-notch performer in the restaurant market. The business has developed durable competitive advantages, thanks to its scale. Chipotle has 3,839 stores right now, and it raked in $3.1 billion in revenue in the second quarter, both numbers that are light years ahead of Cava. Chipotle has a more visible brand, and its huge sales base allows it to better leverage marketing, product, and technological investments. At its current size, it's easy to argue that Cava hasn't built an economic moat. Its brand is becoming more well-known, and as it scales, there could be some cost advantages. However, I don't see there being any strengths today. I believe there's a very low probability that Cava will get to Chipotle's store count or market cap. Chipotle isn't sitting still. It might be approaching 4,000 stores soon. But over the long term, the company wants to have 7,000 locations open in North America. I don't see Cava ever reaching that level. Chipotle plans to open 330 stores just this year, which is nearly as many as Cava has in total. Investors who are hoping that the Mediterranean chain can catch up to the purveyor of burritos and bowls must seriously temper their expectations. Chipotle has a commanding lead that Cava likely won't chip away at. Cava's valuation is also very expensive. Shares currently trade at a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.9, a whopping 78% more expensive than Chipotle. Cava isn't worthy of investment consideration. Should you invest $1,000 in Cava Group right now? Before you buy stock in Cava Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Cava Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,041% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025


CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Baristas show off their skills in last day of national competition
The 2025 Canadian Barista Championships wrapped up in Edmonton on July 27, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Connor Hogg) Coffee aromatics filled the Oliver Exchange Building 2 Sunday as the 2025 Canadian Barista Championships wrapped up its final day of a three-day competition. Eighteen competitors from across the country – including five hometown heroes – were pulling espresso shots and steaming milk in hopes of claiming the top prize. The winner of the championship will have the chance to compete in Milan, Italy for the World Barista Championship in October. Santiago Lopez, a competitor and co-owner of the Colombian Coffee Bar and Roastery, said the event helps move the industry forward. 'We get to showcase the quality of coffee that we have in the city, and its good to just showcase the city in general,' Lopez told CTV News Edmonton. 'Over the last 10 years, the industry in Edmonton has really evolved … and now we have a bunch of different, good coffee roasters and people that really appreciate coffee.' He said people are treating coffee as part of their morning ritual, rather than a commodity. Each competitor was required to complete a 15-minute 'performance,' preparing four espressos, four milk-based drinks and four unique signature beverages. Every performance was evaluated by a panel of 34 judges. But Lopez said the event wasn't just a competition. 'The intent for us all is to show other people in coffee, in the city, that we can get to higher levels, that we can push each other, that we're not in competition, that we're collaborators,' said Lopez. 'I think this tells everybody that we need to come together as a community to grow the industry in this city.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg