BOARD OF DIRECTORS
P. Randy Reifel
Chairman
Randy Reifel has been a senior executive in the exploration business for 36 years. During this period he has distinguished himself as a successful, strategic entrepreneur within the industry. Prior to establishing Chesapeake, Mr. Reifel was president of two exploration companies focused in Latin America, Carson Gold Corp. and Francisco Gold Corp. Mr. Reifel’s early recognition of the Kilometer 88 gold district in Venezuela led to Carson Gold being acquired in 1993. With Francisco Gold, Mr. Reifel played a primary role in the creation, development and financing of the El Sauzal and Marlin gold discoveries and the sale in 2002 to Glamis Gold Ltd. for $390 million. Mr. Reifel holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Masters of Science in Business Administration. Prior to the Newmont-Goldcorp merger, Mr. Reifel was a director of Goldcorp for 13 years.
Randy Buffington
Director
Mr. Buffington is currently President & CEO of Nevada Copper as of October 2021. With extensive experience in underground and open pit mining operations, both in Nevada and internationally, Mr. Buffington has successfully delivered multiple project ramp-ups and productivity improvements in an underground setting in addition to overseeing the development and operation of multiple large open pit projects. Most recently at Hycroft Mining, he was responsible for the operational reforms, successfully executing a project turnaround and delivering significant shareholder value as President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously, he held various senior management positions with Barrick from 2003 to 2012, overseeing North American and Zambian operations. He also held senior management positions with Placer Dome and Cominco.
Doug Flegg
Director
Doug Flegg has over 30 years experience in mining finance with senior positions in research, portfolio management and global equity sales. Previously, Mr. Flegg was Managing Director Global Mining Sales with BMO Capital Markets and instrumental in raising $35 billion in over 200 corporate financings. During his career, Mr. Flegg provided investment ideas and strategic insights to both institutional client and senior industry management. Mr. Flegg has a B.Sc. in Geology and an MBA from Queens University.
Lian Li
Director
Lian Li is an international business consultant with over 20 years experience in investment banking and corporate finance. She has served with Capital House in London; Primasia Investment Management Ltd and South China Group in Hong Kong. Ms. Li has also advised major corporations from the USA, China, Australia and Europe. Ms. Li holds a Master’s Degree from Brunel University in London, England and a B.A. from Northeastern University of Finance and Economics in China.
John Perston
Director
John Perston is a professional geologist with 40 years experience in the mineral exploration and contracting business. Mr. Perston has worked extensively in Latin America since 1971 and brings a depth of experience in project evaluation and development. Prior to being a founding director of Francisco Gold Corp. in 1993, his consulting business identified Minefinders Corporation Ltd.’s Mexican Dolores project in 1991 and retained a royalty until 1998. Mr. Perston holds a B.Sc. Honors from London University and a Masters in Geology.
PAUL WEST-SELLS
Director
Mr. West-Sells has more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry and held executive management and senior metallurgist roles for numerous public companies. Mr. West-Sells served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Western Copper and Gold Corporation. Prior thereto, Mr. West-Sells was a Senior Metallurgist at Barrick, Placer Dome and BHP Minerals. Mr. West-Sells holds a Ph.D. in Metals and Materials Engineering from the University of British Columbia and continues to lecture at the University of British Columbia as an Adjunct Professor in Materials Engineering.
JEFF STIEBER
Director
Mr. Stieber brings 19 years of finance, accounting, strategy, and transaction experience to the Company, having served as a senior executive officer with Hycroft Mining, Klondex Mines, Tahoe Resources, White Pine Precious Metals, and Bendito Resources. He has experience across all stages of the mining project lifecycle, from guiding exploration-stage projects to advancing development assets into production and cash flow generation. Mr. Stieber is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Nevada and a Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst.