Denis is an avid supporter of Community Power and one of the founders of the new Bluewater Renewable Energy Co-Op in Sarnia-Lambton. Denis has been the Project Leader Alternative Energy Technologies for the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership for 2 years.   He is a strong advocate for the GEA, Aboriginal and Community Power and green jobs for Ontario through domestic content.  The governmental and community experience has added to his previous entrepreneurial and corporate experience.  

He has been CEO of an Energy Efficiency Manufacturer (RenewABILITY Energy) and the founder and Executive of many technology companies in the 80's and 90's and spent 7 years as a Product Manager and Senior Manager of Professional Services at Nortel. Denis has a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with a Management Sciences Minor from the University of Waterloo.

Born in Toronto, raised in Sarnia, living in Aurora, family and friends around the province. Denis will bring strategic vision to help OSEA determine better ways to deliver on energy independence and sustainability goals and specifically on aboriginal and community power.

Why are you a member of OSEA?

I am an avid supporter of Community Power and one of the founders of the new Bluewater Renewable Energy Co-Op in Sarnia-Lambton (www.bluewaterrec.ca). I have been the Project Leader Alternative Energy Technologies for the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership for 2 years (www.sarnialambton.on.ca). I am a strong advocate for the GEA, Aboriginal and Community Power and green jobs for Ontario through domestic content. I have supported OSEA as the organization is doing important work to develop community power. I live in Aurora and I am working with community groups in Sarnia and York Region area to develop community power projects and I look forward to bring my creative, unique, problem solving approach to the OSEA board. Please contact me at denis.vandecker@gmail.com with any questions.

What experience, skill sets and personal qualities make you a preferred candidate?

I have mainly worked as an entrepreneur since I was a teenager, which I think is a key part of setting up new community power projects in Ontario right now.   I have also had 7 years at Nortel as a Senior Manager of Professional Service Business that installed very large complex call centres around the world.   My last two years working in alternative energy business development for the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership have given me local municipal government experience and now experience in all sectors dealing with community power. I am also particularly proud in being part of the promotion of the World's Largest Solar Farm - the Sarnia Solar Project.

Board Governance Experience - I have been involved with governance boards since my days in University politics and through my many companies and more recently with non-profits such as the National Board of the Canadian Equal Parenting Council (CEPC), Bluewater Sustainability Initiative Energy Sub Committee, and Local executive of the Green party for 6 years.

Policy Development Experience - I am active in all levels of politics and parties trying to promote a Green agenda. In particular my recent work with the Green Party of Canada has culminated in two Green Energy policies passing at the National Convention in August. These policies can be reviewed at:
Green Bonds http://greenparty.ca/node/14955
Carbon Free National Feed In Tariff http://greenparty.ca/node/14957

Business Experience - I have been founding partner of over 12 companies with 3 patents.  After selling these companies in the early 90's I built a Professional Services Business at Nortel from 2 to 30 people in 4 years in 4 locations installing large complex call centres generating profits and revenues of over $10 million.  I subsequently was CEO of RenewABILITY Energy, the manufacturers of the Power-Pipe through the early and mid part of the millennium. 

Fundraising and Marketing Experience - I will bring my entrepreneurial spirit to fundraising and being creative about the OSEA brand and objectives.  I have and continue to operate in a business development and marketing role in both the public and private sectors.  Specifically in the area of non profits fundraising I was the VP Fundraising for the CEPC.

Experience in the Community - In addition to my involvement as a volunteer on board executives I have been a guest elementary teacher for energy and engineering topics as well as volunteering for Junior Achievement, my Church and local food bank.   I would enjoy continuing my outreach for community power with many types of community organizations.  

Skill Sets – I am an Engineer (Chem Eng, Waterloo 85) and business development manager who is very good with spreadsheets, computers, teleconferencing, remote management and even social media (at least for a guy my age).   My strategic, creative entrepreneurial vision and my logical analysis will be an asset to help the board be effective.   

Personality – I am extroverted, high energy, problem solving team player who leads by example.

What is your vision for the energy sector?

I see a future where everyone is involved in the energy generation they need to live.   I also believe that if energy is properly valued and treated as the precious resource that it is then people would be more efficient in its usage and community owned power projects would be natural for all people.

What do you believe is the role of community in the energy sector?

I believe the community can play a key role by helping to determine the best locations and type of energy production to be sited in their community.  By owning the power production we will not only have more acceptance of renewable energy but the pride of ownership will result in better projects with higher up time.

As we enter 2011, what is OSEA's greatest challenge and greatest opportunity?

The greatest opportunity is the Green Energy Act in Ontario that is one of the best pieces of Green Energy legislation in the world. The greatest challenge is to develop assistance with debt financing for member power projects.

What do you think OSEA's top two priorities should be for the next three years?

From a tactical point of view:

1. Significant tangible progress on Community and Aboriginal Power Projects going live to exceed the goal of 500 MW.   I will bring an entrepreneur’s experience and tenacity needed to help relieve strategic roadblocks preventing projects from going live
2. Developing a Secure channel of Debt financing for Community Projects.

Strategically, I would work within the direction of the boards priorities but  I will also bring creative vision to that discussion help OSEA determine better ways to deliver on energy independence and sustainability goals and specifically on aboriginal and community power. Having an ongoing renewal of the strategic priorities is an expected part of delivering on the basic competency of a board member working with all of the members and the other board members and staff.