The British Columbia Lottery Corp. has appointed Michael Graydon as president and chief executive officer, effective March 31. Graydon is the president and CEO of Mega Group Inc. Scott Norman will remain as acting president and CEO until Graydon comes aboard. BCLC, a provincial Crown corporation, offers gaming entertainment generating income for the public treasury. Its head office is located in Kamloops, and its marketing and sales office in Richmond.
DDS Wireless International Inc. (TSX:DD), which provides wireless fleet management services to multiple markets worldwide, has named Mike Nienhuis and Steven Juliver as presidents for its transit (StrataGen) and taxi (Digital Dispatch) business units, respectively. Nienhuis's most recent position was the GM of sports and giving at The Active Network. He will be based in Kirkland, Wash. Juliver joins Digital Dispatch from EOS Technologies Inc., where he held the position of executive vice-president. He will be based in Digital Dispatch's headquarters in Richmond. DDS Wireless was previously known as Digital Dispatch Systems Inc.
Probe Resources Ltd. (TSXV:PBR) has made changes to its management team and that of two wholly owned American subsidiaries. Scott Broussard is the new CEO and is expected to become president after the upcoming shareholder meeting March 26. Broussard also becomes president and director of Probe Resources Energy Marketing US Ltd. and Probe Resources US Ltd. Previously, Broussard served as VP of drilling and production of Spinnaker Exploration Co. before it was sold to Norsk Hydro.
Other new officers include: Bruce Ganer, executive VP of business development, previously the founder and president of Sierra Pines Resources; William Young III, VP of commercial negotiations, previously held the same position with Hydro Gulf of Mexico; Roger Souders, VP of land, previously with Noble Energy, Inc.; Andre Broussard, VP of exploration, previously StatoilHydro's shelf, technology and eastern gas manager. Based in Vancouver, Probe Resources is an oil and gas exploration and production company.
VRB Power Systems Inc. (TSXV:VRB) has hired Justin Lacey as VP of sales and marketing. Brian Beck, who previously held the position, moves to the role of VP of business development. Most recently, Lacey was head of global marketing efforts for the business aircraft division of Bombardier Aerospace. Headquartered in Richmond, VRB Power Systems is an energy storage technology developer.
Zongshen PEM Power Systems Inc. (TSXV:ZPP) has named Zongshen Zuo to CEO. Zuo will continue his role as chairman of the board of the Vancouver company. Yao Li has resigned as CEO, but will continue as president. Zuo is the founder and president of Zongshen Industrial Group, the company's largest shareholder. Zongshen PEM Power Systems is engaged in the commercialization of alternate power systems, and manufactures electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and other e-vehicles in China for the domestic and international market.
Matthew Ford has joined Zazu Metals Corp. (TSX:ZAZ) as VP of corporate development. He comes with 14 years of experience in mining and exploration companies. Zazu is a Vancouver-based exploration company focused on base-metal properties in North America.
Skye Resources Inc. (TSX:SKR) has appointed Colin Benner as its new CEO. Ian Austin has left his positions as Skye's president and CEO but remains on the board. Most recently Benner held the position of CEO and vice-chairman of Lundin Mining Corp. Skye is a mining company focused on becoming a new mid-tier nickel producer. Its head office is in Vancouver.
The president and chair of Photon Control Inc. (TSXV: PHO) is taking downtime for medical treatment. Chief operating officer Ivan Melnyk will become acting president in Robert Blair's stead as of April 7. Blair will continue as non-executive chair. Burnaby-based Photon manufactures opto-electronic products for measurement and control.
The outgoing chief executive at heavy equipment dealer Finning International Inc. (TSX:FTT) says the company has been riding high in recent years thanks to soaring commodity prices, but his replacement could see a rougher course. Doug Whitehead, who will be replaced by CFO Mike Waites in May, said Finning will need "financial discipline" in the years to come depending on the impact of a U.S. economic slowdown. Whitehead will remain as a director and be chairman of the Finning board. Finning's corporate office is in Vancouver.
John Mason is stepping down as president and CEO of IRI Separation Technologies Inc. (TSXV:IRI) in favour of Rick Stiksma. Stiksma has held the position of CFO with the West Vancouver company for the past two years. Mason will continue to act as chairman of IRI, a biotech company that specializes in antibodies for virus and bacteria-related health issues.
Andrew Lee Smith has assumed the role of president and CEO of True North Gems (TSXV:TGX). Smith is the co-founder of TGX and has served as chairman and CEO since 2003. Greg Fekete has relinquished the role of president to become a director and corporate secretary. Based in Vancouver, True North is engaged in coloured-gemstone exploration.
Creston Moly Corp. (TSXV:CMS) has engaged Sadek El-Alfy as its chief operating officer. El-Alfy has been serving as a member of Creston's advisory board since May 2007 and was most recently VP of operations for Crystallex International Corp. Creston Moly is a Vancouver mineral exploration company focused on a molybdenum deposit in Mexico's Sonora State.
Fission Energy Corp. (TSXV:FIS) has appointed Jody Dahrouge as president and COO. Dahrouge is the owner/operator of Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., which manages exploration and development programs for resource companies, including Fission Energy. Dahrouge replaces David Miller, who is stepping down to focus on his duties as CEO of Strathmore Minerals Corp., but will continue to serve on Fission's board. Kelowna-based Fission Energy was created to hold Strathmore's Canadian and Peruvian uranium exploration properties.
Susan Craig has been promoted to president of Northern Freegold Resources Ltd. (TSXV:NFR). Bill Harris, most recently president of the Vancouver-based junior gold/ copper/silver exploration company, assumes the new position of COO while retaining the responsibilities of CEO. Craig was formerly the company's VP of corporate affairs.
Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: HPY) has recruited Brian Welwood as a director, CFO and corporate secretary. Welwood is founder and president of Brian Welwood & Co. Ltd. Scott Smith has resigned as CFO and corporate secretary, but will remain a director. Happy Creek is a junior mining exploration company based in Vancouver.
Diane Nicolson has been appointed VP of corporate development for Amarc Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AHR). Nicolson has worked for both major and junior companies. Vancouver-based Amarc is a miner active in north-central British Columbia.
- with files from The Canadian Press
