Hydro One appoints WestJet Encore President to lead customer service transformation

TORONTO, July 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Hydro One Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ferio Pugliese as Executive Vice President, Customer and Corporate Affairs, effective September 26, 2016.

Ferio has held progressively senior leadership roles at WestJet since 2007 and in 2013 led the launch and successful operation of the company's regional airline as President of WestJet Encore. Ferio grew WestJet Encore from its beginnings in western Canada into serving markets across Canada and into the United States. WestJet Encore has been recognized for having the continent's top on-time performance for regional airlines in 2015. WestJet Encore's customer service performance and focus has positively impacted WestJet's overall Guest Satisfaction score and scored very well in the company's distinctive "showing customers we care" metric. Ferio is highly recognized as a market leader in customer service and brings expertise in building and leading a winning culture focused on serving its customers and communities. 

"Hydro One is deeply committed to building a customer-centric culture, and Ferio brings significant customer and commercially competitive thinking to our business," said Mayo Schmidt, President and CEO, Hydro One Inc.  "Attracting Ferio to Hydro One, from an elite customer-service organization was a critical step toward Hydro One realizing its goal of becoming a company recognized for putting its customers first. I'm confident that Ferio's leadership and focus will result in material improvement for our customers and lead us into an exciting new chapter." 

"Joining an organization such as Hydro One and having the opportunity to build a new, positive relationship between the brand and its customers is a remarkable opportunity," Ferio said. "The leadership team is committed to Hydro One becoming a great customer-focused organization and I'm looking forward to applying my experience to make that happen for Hydro One's customers."

Originally from Northern Ontario, Ferio joined WestJet in 2007, initially serving as WestJet's Executive Vice-President People, Culture and Inflight Services. He was recognized by Caldwell Partners as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2007. Ferio holds a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from Central Michigan University, an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science, an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor. 

About the Company:

Hydro One Limited (TSX: H) Hydro One is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario with approximately $24 billion in assets and 2015 revenues of over $6.5 billion. Hydro One delivers electricity safely and reliably to over 1.3 million customers across the province of Ontario, and to large industrial customers and municipal utilities. Hydro One owns and operates Ontario's approximately 29,000 circuit km high-voltage transmission network and an approximately 123,000 circuit km primary low-voltage local distribution network. For more information about Hydro One, visit www.HydroOne.com

SOURCE Hydro One Limited

Investors: Bruce M. Mann, Investor Relations, [email protected], 416-345-5722; Media: Daffyd Roderick, Corporate Communications, [email protected], 416-345-6868