Nov 7 (Reuters) - Canada's Algonquin Power & Utilities ( AQNB )

on Friday named Robert Stefani as its finance chief,

effective January 5.

Stefani joins the company from Southwest Gas Holdings ( SWX )

, where he served as senior vice president and CFO and

handled multiple deals and divestitures.

Stefani will take over from Brian Chin, who was given

interim charge earlier this year, after the company replaced

both its CEO and CFO, coming under pressure from activist

investor Starboard Value to cut debt and boost earnings.