Board & Management
Michael Smith
CEO & Director
Michael Smith is an experienced Director of Communications with a demonstrated history of working in the venture capital industry. He is skilled in people management, research, corporate communications, angel investing, and public relations. He is a strong media and communication professional. He also has experience from previous tenures in heavy excavation, site planning and layout. Mr. Smith also consults on mineral properties for exploration stage companies.
Tyler Friesen
CFO
CPA, CA
Mr. Friesen obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary and subsequently attained his Chartered Accountant designation in 2011. Mr. Friesen has acquired considerable experience in the areas of financial reporting, regulatory compliance, treasury, and audit for Canadian publicly listed companies. He has international experience working on projects throughout the world and is well versed in the requirements of today's complex regulatory environments as well as the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards. Mr. Friesen is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant.
Gordon Lam
Director
Gordon Lam has over 25 years of public markets experience as an investment advisor, director, officer, independent consultant, and investor. He specializes in helping early-stage companies with the public listing process, corporate and market development, financings, and advisory services. His entrepreneurship, understanding and competency of all components of a successful company makes him an asset for early-stage companies.
Leif Smither
Director
Leif Smither has had a successful three-decade career in the mineral exploration industry as an investor, officer, and director of multiple publicly listed companies. He brings both strong technical and management skills to the company and his experience includes a 4-year stint as the Head of Corporate Development for Starfield Resources Inc., a TSX-V Tier 1 issuer and now TSX issuer where he was involved in financing one of the worlds largest undeveloped nickel copper deposits.
Jamie Lewin
Director
MBA, CPA, LLB
Jamie has more than 20 years experience in accounting and finance for private and public companies in brokerage, investment, manufacturing, distribution and resources. He has been CFO and Director of a number of venture corporations and is the owner of Best Fit Consulting. His experience includes: M&A, equity financings, IPO, regulatory compliance in Canada and the US, strategic planning and corporate finance. As a professional accountant, he focuses on business leadership and strives to motivate others to personally succeed. In his spare time, he volunteers in community activities.
Dr. Carlos Arias
Director
Dr. Carlos Arias Eguiguren, President and Founder of Arias Eguiguren & Peñaherrera Law Office, boasts an impressive track record in the mining industry. He served as a crucial member of the Board of Directors for Astorius Resources Ltd., Canada, spearheading the acquisition and development of the Alto El Toro mining projects situated in Ibague, Colombia. During his tenure, a significant gold discovery of 2 million ounces was made, and under his leadership, the mine was successfully brought into production. The venture was eventually sold to a Colombian Group and presently produces over 30kg of gold daily. Additionally, Carlos contributed his expertise as a Board member for CDN Canadian Maverick, Canada, overseeing diverse mining projects across Canada, the United States of America, and Argentina. Notable ventures included the Poncheville Lithium Project in Canada, Nevasca Lithium Project in Argentina, and an investment in the Clayton Valley lithium project located in Nevada, USA. His instrumental role in the acquisition of these projects paved the way for their development by Noram Lithium, notably the Zeus project, recognized as a key lithium initiative in North America. Furthermore, Carlos played a pivotal role as a Board member for AIM Exploration Ltd., USA, where he led the acquisition and development efforts for the anthracite coal project named Agujeros Negros in Peru.
Brian G. Thurston
Advisor
HBSc, PGEO
Brian G. Thurston holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Thurston has over 31 years' experience working as a geologist around the globe including North and South America, Africa and India. He has experience working on projects from grass roots to feasibility level. Mr. Thurston was instrumental in the initial exploration, land acquisition and development of Aurelian Resources Ecuador grass roots exploration and held the position of Country Manager. Kinross in 2008 acquired Aurelian Resources in a $1.2B friendly deal. Mr. Thurston transitioned from geologist to corporate positions in 2004 and has founded several public companies and held positions of director and officer, as well as served on multiple committees including audit, disclosure, and corporate governance. Mr. Thurston was President and CEO of Lion Energy Corp. from 2007 to 2011 raising over $30M before a friendly takeover was successfully completed by Lundin's Africa Oil Corp.
Alan Tam
Advisor
CPA, CA
Alan Tam is a senior executive involved with structuring, planning and execution of IPOs, RTOs and CPCs. Mr. Tam, with over 20 years of experience, has been involved in financing, operations, corporate services, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations for multiple public companies in the past 10 years. Mr. Tam is a CPA/CA and has worked with biotechnology, technology, start-up alternative energy and other corporations dealing with tax, regulatory, investment management, international cash and tax management, compliance and accounting matters.