Directors

A proven team with a Deep Understanding of it's Assets and the Experience Required to Develop Them

John Zahary

Alberta, Canada
Chairman
John Zahary is an experienced oil and gas executive having played a leadership role with several companies with heavy oil and oilsands assets including PanCanadian Petroleum, Petrovera Resources, Viking Energy, Harvest Energy, Osum Oilsands and Sunshine Oilsands. John has experience in technical engineering and operations roles as well as in financial roles.

Mr. Zahary holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary and a M.Phil in Management Studies from the University of Oxford.

John is active in corporate and volunteer activities.






Dave Pearce

Alberta, Canada
Director
Dave Pearce is Deputy Managing Partner at Azimuth Capital Management, an energy-focused private equity fund since July 2014. Dave was an Operating Partner with the Azimuth predecessor KERN Partners from November 2008 to July 2014. Dave currently serves on the Board of Headwater Exploration and the Board of Baytex Energy. He represents Azimuth as a Director on the Boards of Altex, Entrada Resources, Karve Energy and Recover Inc. He was with Northrock Resources Ltd. from June 1999 to January 2008 where he held several senior officer positions, including President and CEO. Prior thereto, Mr. Pearce worked in various management roles at Fletcher Challenge Canada, Amoco Canada, and Dome Petroleum.

Mr. Pearce holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Honors) from the University of Manitoba.

Jay Simmons

Alberta, Canada
Director
Jay Simmons is the Founder and CEO of Durum Capital Inc.; a private equity firm focused on financing businesses that require patient and active capital to fund transitions. Durum has niche funds that provide exposure to Special Situations, Industrial Real Estate, Land Development, and Energy & Energy services. He brings over 20 years of experience working in private equity, including serving as co-founder and President of ENTx Capital Corporation, a private equity firm that specialized in financing businesses involved in deregulating energy markets.

Mr. Simmons holds a B.Comm from Dalhousie University. He has also received his CPA, CA designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants and his ICD.D designation from the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors.


Nathan Kunec

Alberta, Canada
Director
Nathan Kunec is a Senior Director and Entrepreneur in Residence of the Firm. Nathan joined Azimuth in 2004 and is currently responsible for developing investment ideas, finding new investment opportunities, performing strategic and financial due diligence, and working with existing portfolio companies.

As part of Azimuth's ongoing commitment to its portfolio companies, Nathan has recently joined the Executive Team of Recover Inc. to help spearhead its expansion into the United States.

Mr. Kunec holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance with distinction from the University of Alberta. Nathan is a CFA Charterholder.

Nathan represents Azimuth as a Board Observer of Entrada Resources Inc.

Evan Hazell

Alberta, Canada
Director
Evan Hazell has been involved in the global oil and gas industry for over 40 years, initially as a petroleum engineer and subsequently as an investment banker.

At present, he primarily serves as a Director of a number of for profit and community organizations including Pacific Opera Victoria, and Gran Tierra Energy.

Mr. Hazell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Queen's University and a Master of Engineering from the University of Calgary. Mr. Hazell also holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and is a registered Professional Engineer in Alberta.





Ed Chwyl

British Columbia, Canada
Director
Ed Chwyl is a retired businessman with over 45 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in North America, most notably as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tarragon Oil and Gas Limited from 1989 to 1998.

Prior thereto, he held various technical and executive positions within the oil and gas industry in Canada and the United States. Mr. Chwyl served as lead Independent Director of Baytex Energy Ltd. (2009 - 2019) and Chairman (2003-2008).

Mr. Chwyl holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta.






Chris McGinnis

Alberta, Canada
Director
Chris McGinnis has over 21 years of oil and gas experience including Development and Production Engineering Manager roles at PennWest, and field-based production, operations, facility and exploitation engineering roles with Husky Energy, Acclaim Energy, and Canetic Resources, all focused on heavy oil.

Mr. McGinnis holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and an MBA from Royal Roads University.

Practicing member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).