Ivan Bebek Chair & Director
Mr. Bebek has over 20 years of experience in financing, foreign negotiations and acquisitions in the mineral exploration industry. His understanding of the capital markets and ability to position, structure and finance companies that he has been associated with has been instrumental in their successes. Mr. Bebek was formerly the President, CEO and co-founder of Cayden Resources, which was sold to Agnico Eagle Mines for $205M in November 2014, and a co-founder of Keegan Resources (now Galiano Gold). Mr. Bebek is currently President, CEO & Director of Coppernico Metals.
Peter Dembicki President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
Mr. Dembicki brings over 10 years of corporate finance and wealth management experience; dealing with high-net-worth individuals, corporations and institutional clientele. As a member of Canaccord Genuity, he structured and oversaw numerous multi-million dollar private, public and bought-deal financings in the mining and natural resource sectors. Mr. Dembicki’s industry designations include: Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Conduct and Practices (CPH) and Wealth Management Essentials (WME). Throughout his tenure at Canaccord, he continuously added to his compliance and education credits, positioning himself above the industry standards of continuing education. Mr. Dembicki is a Graduate from the University of Washington in Seattle, with a degree in Communications.
Antonio Arribas, PhD (Geology) Director
Mr. Arribas holds a BA and MSc in Geology from the Universidad de Salamanca and a PhD from the University of Michigan. He is a world-renowned expert on Au-Cu-Ag deposits with over 20 years of experience in the mineral exploration industry across multiple companies and geographic regions. Mr. Arribas has held a variety of positions including Vice President Geoscience at BHP Billiton Minerals Exploration in Singapore (2013), Senior Manager Geosciences at Newmont Mining Corp. in Denver, Colorado (2012), and Exploration Manager South America at Placer Dome Exploration in Reno, Nevada (2006). Mr. Arribas is currently a Professor in Economic Geology and holder of the Kenneth F. and Patricia Clark Distinguished Chair at the University of Texas at El Paso. In 2013, Mr. Arribas served as President of The Society of Economic Geologists Inc. (SEG), where he continues to be a member. He currently serves as a Director of Coppernico Metals.
Steve Cook, LLB Director
Mr. Cook is a former tax partner at the law firm of Thorsteinssons LLP in Vancouver. He received his B. Comm. and LL.B. degrees from the University of British Columbia and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1982. Mr. Cook is a specialist in corporate and international tax planning, offshore structures, representation and civil and criminal tax litigation. He served on the board of Brett Resources, prior to it being acquired by Osisko Mining, and Cayden Resources, prior to it being acquired by Agnico Eagle Mines. Mr. Cook currently serves as Lead Independent Director of Torq and as a Director of Fury Gold Mines and Coppernico Metals.
Jeffrey Mason, CPA, ICD.D Director
Mr. Mason is a CPA and holds an ICD.D. He has extensive experience in the exploration, development, construction and operation of precious and base metals projects in the Americas, Asia and Africa, including 15 years as a Principal, Board Director and Chief Financial Officer for the Hunter Dickinson group of companies. He began his career with Deloitte LLP as a CPA, followed by six years at Barrick Gold Corporation. Overall, Mr. Mason has served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Board Director for over 20 public companies listed on the TSX, TSXV, NYSE American and NASDAQ. Most recently, he was the Chair of the board and interim CEO of Great Panther Mining. Mr. Mason currently serves as Chair of the Board for Wildpack Beverages Inc. and is a Director of Fury Gold Mines, Coppernico Metals and Torq Resources.
Paul Sun Director, CFA, P. Eng.
Mr. Sun is a capital markets professional and trained mining engineer with over 20 years of experience. He has held senior roles at investment banks including Scotia Capital, Desjardins and Beacon Securities –providing financial solutions for a range of companies from small start-ups to billion-dollar market-cap organizations. He has also held project and senior operations management positions at a number of private and publicly traded companies and has built an extensive investor network. He acquired his Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto and his Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business. He also holds the Professional Engineer and Certified Financial Analyst designations. Mr. Sun currently serves as CEO and Director of Eminent Gold Corp.
Christy Strashek, CFA Director
Ms. Strashek is a finance professional with 15 years of diversified capital markets experience, including buy-side and sell-side equity research and syndication. She is currently the Director of Research at Tegus Inc. Ms. Strashek has a demonstrated aptitude for company and industry analysis, as well as financial modeling, forecasting and valuation. Ms. Strashek has a CFA designation and an established history of working in the investment management industry.