TransAlta announced the appointment of Mike Politeski as Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 1, 2026, and Grant Arnold as Executive Vice President, Growth and Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 6, 2026. The changes come as Joel Hunter assumes the role of President and CEO effective April 30, 2026, following the retirement of John Kousinioris.
Politeski brings more than 25 years of experience in capital markets, financial strategy, risk, treasury, reporting and tax, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Finance & Treasurer at Veren Inc. (formerly Crescent Point Energy). Arnold has over 30 years in the power and energy sector, previously leading BluEarth Renewables as President and CEO and holding senior positions at Suncor Energy.
The appointments are part of a planned succession designed to strengthen TransAlta’s financial stewardship and accelerate growth. Joel Hunter said, “I am very pleased to welcome Mike and Grant to TransAlta's leadership team. Mike's financial expertise, sound judgment and strategic perspective will be instrumental in supporting long‑term value creation.” He added, “Grant's track record in successfully originating and executing projects, along with his strong commercial acumen and stakeholder relationships, will drive the execution of our growth priorities. As I step into the President and CEO role at the end of April, I am confident that Mike and Grant will strengthen TransAlta's high‑calibre leadership team that will execute our strategy focused on disciplined growth and operational excellence.”
Politeski echoed the confidence: “TransAlta's solid financial foundation, talented people and distinct asset base, position the Company to generate long‑term value in a dynamic market. I look forward to working with the team, the Board of Directors and the investment community to deliver results and build upon an established platform.”
The leadership changes align with TransAlta’s strategy to capture upside in Alberta’s rebalancing power market and expand its contracted asset base. The company is pursuing growth through completed wind facilities in Oklahoma, advancing transmission projects, and exploring M&A opportunities. The appointments are expected to support these initiatives by leveraging Politeski’s financial discipline and Arnold’s project origination and commercial expertise.
The transition also signals continuity in the company’s focus on disciplined growth and operational excellence, while positioning TransAlta to navigate the evolving Alberta market, which is experiencing increased demand from data centers and a shift toward decarbonization.
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