Board of Directors

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.

Alan Pangbourne has over 35 years of experience in global mining operations and most recently was the President and CEO of Guyana Goldfields Inc. through to its sale to Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. in August 2020. Previously, Mr. Pangbourne was Chief Operating Officer of SSR Mining Inc.; Vice President Projects South America for Kinross Gold Corporation; and held increasingly senior roles at BHP Billiton Ltd., including President and Chief Operating Officer of Nickel Americas, Projects Director for BHP’s Uranium Division, which includes the Olympic Dam Expansion, and Project Manager for BHP’s Spence copper project in Chile. He was also General Manager at an engineering company that specialized in gold heap leach & carbon-in-pulp plants. Mr. Pangbourne holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Extractive Metallurgy) and a Graduate Diploma in Mineral Processing from the Western Australian School of Mines.

Chris Falck formerly a chartered accountant and Principal with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP in their Corporate Finance and Investment Banking Group, has over 35 years of experience in the mining industry. Previously a CFA charter holder, Mr. Falck also worked for 13 years with an institutional asset manager dedicated to precious metals investment advisory as an analyst and later the Director of Mining Research. Mr. Falck has served as a director for several public junior mining companies some subsequently acquired through successful M&A transactions. Mr. Falck is the Lead Director of Chesapeake’s Board.

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 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 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 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.