Management and Board

Elson McDougald, Founder and Board

Mr. McDougald has over 60 years of experience in the oil and gas services business. 

Mr. McDougald was recently a director of Matrrix/Stampede Drilling Inc. (“Stampede”) from 2011 to 2023. Prior thereto, Elson was the founding CEO and the Executive Chairman of CanElson Drilling Inc. (“CanElson”) from August 2008 to August 2015 until it was purchased by Trinidad Drilling Ltd. (“Trinidad”). Prior thereto, he was Chairman of Savanna Energy Services Corp. (“Savanna”) from August 2006 to May 2008. Prior to its merger with Savanna in August 2006, Mr. McDougald was the founding Chairman, President and CEO of Western Lakota Energy Services Inc.(“Western Lakota”), which he grew from a startup company in 2002 to a $650 million company at the time of its merger with Savanna. Prior to Western Lakota, Elson was the founding Chairman and CEO of Tetonka Drilling Inc. (“Tetonka”), incorporated in 1997 and sold to Bonus Resource Services Corp. for approximately $155 million in November 2000 (ultimately purchased by Nabors Drilling). Prior thereto, Mr. McDougald was the Founder, CEO, President, CFO and COO of Laredo Drilling Ltd. (“Laredo”).  Mr. McDougald was formerly a director of Phoenix Energy Services Corp., Alberta Treasury Branch, CCR Technologies Ltd., Elson Energy Enterprises Ltd., Trinidad and Stampede.

Mr. McDougald was awarded the IYINIW Lifetime Achievement award presented by Chief Buffalo, Chief Laboucane, Chief Stanley, and Chief Makokis and was awarded the IRC Circle award for his contributions to Indigenous communities in the energy sector.

Darcy Reinboldt - President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Reinboldt has over 39 years of experience in the oilfield services industry in Western Canada and the US. Mr. Reinboldt most recently provided consulting services through DDR Consulting, in Canada and US, from 2019 to 2023. Previously, Mr. Reinboldt held the position of SVP with Western Energy Services (“Western”) from 2013 to 2019. Prior thereto, he was the EVP of the USA Northern Operations for Trinidad, from 2011 to 2013. Darcy has also served as SVP of Operational Support at Trinidad, from 2008 to 2011.

Mr. Reinboldt has extensive practical hands-on experience, starting as a floor hand in the early 1980’s and evolving through various operational positions, advancing into executive roles in manufacturing, well servicing and international operations. In these roles, he oversaw significant improvements in efficiency and performance, as well as portfolio growth. Mr. Reinboldt has served on the Board of Directors with the CAODC from 2008 to 2011 and from 2015 to 2019 he was an active drilling rig executive committee member. Darcy is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie course.

Brian Cardinal – Business and Stakeholder Relations Manager

Mr. Cardinal has over 30 years of experience in the energy and energy services industry.  Brian was recently a consultant to the Samson Cree First Nation in their oilfield and reclamation services business. Immediately following the merger between Western Lakota and Savanna, at the end of 2006 to 2017, Mr. Cardinal was the Business and Stakeholder Relationship Manager for Savanna where he was instrumental in adding to and maintaining drilling rig partnerships with a number of First Nations and Métis communities (the “Communities”). From 2005 until its merger with Savanna, Brian was the Business and Stakeholder Relationship Manager for Western Lakota where he was the key liaison in the strategic formation of the partnerships and working relationships between Western Lakota and the Communities. 

Over Brian’s career, he was instrumental in forming partnerships and working relationships on 14 drilling rigs with the Communities.  From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Cardinal was a consultant and the interim CEO of Samson Oil and Gas.  From 1985 to 2002, Brian was a Director or Consultant to the Saddle Lake Cree Nation holding a number of oil and gas positions. In 1983, Brian began his career with Husky Energy as a field operator. Mr. Cardinal holds a 4th class Engineering certificate from SAIT. 

Stephen Buffalo - Board

Mr. Buffalo has over 25 years of experience in the finance and energy industry and is a member of the Samson Cree Nation located in Maskwacis.  Mr. Buffalo currently serves as President and CEO of the Indian Resources Council of Canada (“IRC”), a corporation created in 1987 to support Indigenous communities to attain greater control and management of their oil and natural gas resources. The IRC currently represents > 155 Indigenous communities throughout Canada. Mr. Buffalo currently serves as the Board Chair of Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (“AIOC”). The AIOC bridges the gap between Indigenous groups seeking commercial partnerships in major projects and their financial capacity by providing up to $3Bn in loan guarantees to reduce the cost of capital for indigenous groups investing in infrastructure projects. Prior to, Mr. Buffalo was also involved with the Peace Hills Trust Company, a corporation providing banking solutions to Indigenous communities, at various levels.

Mr. Buffalo has also served on the Board of Directors for Brane Capital and also serves as a Trustee for the IRC Trust. Stephen holds a B.Admin Certificate from Medicine Hat College, a B.Admin Certificate from the University of Lethbridge, a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge and an ICD.D Designation from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

Jeff McCaig - Board

Mr. McCaig is Chair of the Trimac Transportation Group of Companies (“Trimac”) one of the largest providers of bulk trucking services in North America and also provides complementary logistics services, including transload facility operations, distribution management, and freight brokerage, of which he was the CEO until December 31, 2015. Mr. McCaig is a director of MEG Energy Corp. (“MEG”), Grayhawk Investments Strategies Inc., an investment management company, a director and Chair of Bantrel Company, an engineering, procurement and construction company, a director and co-owner of the Calgary Flames Hockey Club and was a director of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan from January 2001 until May 2017, when it merged with Agrium to form Nutrien. Mr. McCaig also serves as Chair of the Flames Foundation For Life and holds a degree in economics from Harvard University, a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, and a Master of Science in Management degree from Stanford University. He is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Dwayne LaMontagne, CPA, CA – Executive Chair and Board

Mr. LaMontagne has over 28 years of experience in the energy industry. Mr. LaMontagne was recently the CFO of Radicle, a carbon credit measurement, offset and credit company for heavy industry recently purchased by BMO. Prior to that he worked as a finance advisor to Spirit West Energy Services and Intelligent Wellhead Systems where he advised on financing as well as strategic decisions and helped guide the companies to growth and profitability. Prior thereto, Dwayne served as EVP and CFO to Savanna and in this role, he facilitated and maintained 14 drilling rig partnerships with First Nations and Metis communities. Prior to its merger with Savanna, Mr. LaMontagne served as the CFO of Western Lakota where he helped secure the 14 landmark partnerships and oversaw all financial matters of Western Lakota. Mr. LaMontagne has also served as the CEO Advisory Group Chair for TEC Canada and serves as a Head Coach for Special Olympics Alberta. Dwayne holds a B. Admin in Accounting from the University of Regina and is a CPA, CA.

Brent Moen - Board

Mr. Moen has over 45 years of feed mill and livestock management experience, obtained while working for Maple Leaf Foods, Landmark Feeds, Elite Swine and Cargill.  Mr. Moen is currently the President and General Manager of Verus Swine Management Services Ltd. in Calgary, a position held since 2008.  Mr. Moen has been a director in a number of private Agri Business companies.  Mr. Moen holds or has held, directorship roles in not-for-profit organizations, Alberta Pork, Canadian Pork Council and the Western Hog Exchange. Mr. Moen holds a Diploma in Applied Arts, majoring in Accounting, from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.