Canadian utility executive to take helm at Versant Power in 2026

Side by side photos of John Flynn and Erica Young

Photos / Courtesy of Versant John Flynn, left, will be succeeded as president of Versant Power by Erica Young. She will join as acting president on Jan. 1 and take up her new role four months later.

Write a Comment

By Renee Cordes

Versant Power has tapped Canadian utility executive Erica Young to succeed John Flynn as the company’s next president on May 1, 2026.

Flynn, with more than 40 years in the industry and five leading Versant, plans to retire at the end of April.

Young currently serves as executive vice president at ENMAX Energy, one of the companies operated by Versant’s Calgary-based corporate parent, ENMAX Corp.

Emera Maine changed its name to Versant Power in 2020 after the company was acquired by ENMAX for $1.3 billion. Versant delivers electricity to more than 165,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across 10,400 square miles in northern and eastern Maine.

ENMAX Energy serves around 550,000 electricity customers across Canada’s western Alberta province. Young was previously ENMAX Corp.'s chief legal, commercial and regulatory officer and has held other leadership roles across the organization since joining the firm in 2016.

“In addition to Erica’s deep operational experience, proven leadership in regulatory and commercial initiatives, Erica also has valuable experience and familiarity with Versant," said Mark Poweska, chairman of Versant’s board of directors.

Young also played a leadership role in the Versant acquisition and served on the Versant board for five years, Poweska noted.

"This will allow her to build on her existing positive relationships with Versant team members, making her well positioned to lead the company, alongside the executive team," he said.

To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Young will join Versant Power as acting president on Jan. 1, 2026, four months before officially taking over the role.

“I know Erica will be a tremendous asset to Versant’s employees and customers and congratulate her on this exciting new role,” Flynn said.