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Windsor, ON ― August 17, 2026  ― Brett Hillock, Chief Operating Officer for NextStar Energy has been named a 2026 Automotive News Canada Rising Star. Hillock, along with his co-honorees are featured in a special section in the August 17th issue of Automotive News Canada.
 
Formerly named “Canadians to Watch,” the Rising Stars program honors Canadian auto executives on the manufacturing, supply, mobility and service provider side of the auto industry who have the talent and dedication necessary to become industry leaders of tomorrow. Automotive News Canada has published the list of the industry’s up and comers annually since 2017.
 
This year’s honorees come from 11 companies and a variety of disciplines ― from executive management to manufacturing, engineering, analytics and finance.
 
Brett Hillock was appointed Chief Operating Officer for NextStar Energy in October 2025. He is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, executing company strategy, and industrialization. With an extensive background in global manufacturing and quality control, he specializes in strengthening cross-functional teams to achieve proven quality and performance.
 
Prior to this role, Hillock served as Director of Quality for NextStar Energy, and held several positions at Stellantis over 25 years, including Vice President of Manufacturing Quality. His leadership and team development skills have been key in growing NextStar Energy’s workforce as Canada’s first and only commercial-scale battery manufacturer.
 
“The Rising Stars program celebrates automotive executives in middle and upper management who are already making an impact and have the potential to become the industry’s next generation of leaders,” said Tim Dimopoulos, publisher of Automotive News Canada. “Giving talented people meaningful responsibility early in their careers creates opportunities for them to grow, lead and make a difference. When companies recognize and invest in that, both the individual and the organization benefits.”
 
The 2026 class of Automotive News Canada Rising Stars was chosen by Automotive News Canada editors and journalists from scores of nominations. Complete profiles of all 12 Rising Stars are available at www.autonews.com/canada/risingstars.
Since 1925, Automotive News has been the primary source for news happening among automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. Distinct from other publications in the field, Automotive News remains a fully subscriber-paid publication, a testament to the value it delivers to the reader. The award-winning weekly print edition, robust website, email newsletters and video broadcasts are backed by a global team of more than 55 editors and reporters.