David Fell announced as incoming President and CEO of Utilities Kingston

Utilities Kingston has announced its new President and CEO. David Fell will succeed Jim Keech, who is retiring after 40 years with Utilities Kingston.

Beginning on Jan. 17, 2022, Fell will lead Utilities Kingston in its mission: to manage, operate and maintain community infrastructure, delivering safe, reliable services and a personal customer experience, according to a release from Utilities Kingston, dated Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.  

“We congratulate Mr. Fell, who is a seasoned business professional and community leader,” said Lanie Hurdle, Utilities Kingston Board Chair and Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Kingston. “Owing to his successes as an entrepreneur and executive leader in diverse industries, Mr. Fell is well-positioned to advance the unique multi-utility model, which will only benefit our community and customers.” 

According to the release, Fell brings a range of experience in broadband infrastructure, educational software, non-profit governance, municipal government, Private-Public-Partnerships, and international development. He joins Utilities Kingston from his role as CEO of Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network. Fell has led the organization from incorporation towards bringing high-speed networking to more than 60 business parks throughout the region. He holds an Executive MBA from Queen’s University and is an active volunteer and mentor to aspiring business professionals. 

The incoming President and CEO will replace Jim Keech, who has been with Utilities Kingston for 40 years. During his tenure, Keech led both Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro, as well as the City of Kingston’s Transportation & Infrastructure Services group.  

Utilities Kingston listed Keech’s significant achievements, in addition to safely leading the organization through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and leading the freshly amalgamated City through the ice-storm of 1998: 

• implementing four-year plans for infrastructure improvements (coordinating them with the City to minimize disruption to residents),  
• overseeing, with the City, all three phases of the joint project to reconstruct historic downtown Princess Street and all the infrastructure beneath and above it, 
• completing major and environmentally innovative upgrades to four water and wastewater treatment plants, 
• ensuring the 10,000+ streetlights in the city were converted to energy-efficient LED lights, and  
• pioneering a broadband network for Kingston.  

To complete the search for Utilities Kingston’s new leader, the Board of Directors formed a hiring committee and employed executive search experts Odgers Berndtson.