Board of Directors

Mr. Karkkainen has over 35 years of investment management, energy sector research and investment banking experience, as well as four years of industry experience with Gulf Canada Resources. Mr. Karkkainen was a Co-Founder and General Partner of KERN Partners, a leading Canadian based energy focused capital markets and private equity firm, from September 2000 to July 2014 and was the firm’s Senior Strategy Advisor from July, 2014 until his retirement from the firm in August, 2015. Prior to establishing KERN Partners, Mr. Karkkainen was Managing Director and Head of Oil and Gas Equity Research at RBC Capital Markets.

Mr. Karkkainen holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Geology from Carleton University, a Masters of Business Administration degree from Queen’s University and holds a designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Mr. Karkkainen is also Chair of the board of directors of AltaGas Ltd.

Mr. Eckhardt has more than 45 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Most recently, Mr. Eckhardt was the Executive Vice-President, North American Operations for Talisman Energy Inc., a public oil and gas company from 2003 to 2009. Mr. Eckhardt joined Talisman (then BP Canada) in 1986 as Chief Drilling Engineer and held positions of increasing responsibility in domestic operations until his retirement in 2009.

Mr. Eckhardt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba.

Mr. Eckhardt is also a member of the board of directors of Athabasca Oil Corporation.

Ms. Holzhauser is a professional engineer and management professional with more than 35 years’ experience in the petrochemical and refining industries. She joined Chevron Phillips Chemical in 2014, where she served as Vice President of Environment, Health, Safety and Security. Prior to this, she held the position of Operations Director and Vice President, Operations in INEOS Nitriles.

Ms. Holzhauser holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a Master of Business Administration (Honours) from the University of Houston executive program.

Ms. Holzhauser is also a director of a private company.

Mr. Lawford joined NuVista in January 2012 as Vice President Development, and in December 2017, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. On March 1, 2024, Mr. Lawford assumed the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. On January 1, 2025 Mr. Lawford was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer and joined the board of directors. Prior to joining NuVista, Mr. Lawford held various management and technical roles of increasing responsibility, including leading the North American New Plays Team at Talisman Energy Inc. Mr. Lawford has over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (with First Class Honors) in Geology from the University of Alberta and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta.

Ms. Lutey is the Senior Vice President—Exploration, Development and EHS at SM Energy Company. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President—Development and EHS starting in December 2019. Prior to that, starting in May 2015, she was appointed Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for the South Texas and Gulf Coast business unit responsible for engineering, geoscience, operations, resource development and EHS. From December 2012 to May 2015, she served as Vice President and Regional Manager for the SM Energy’s Mid-Continent business unit. She joined SM Energy in June 2008 as North Rockies Asset Manager.

Ms. Lutey has over 30 years of technical, operating and leadership experience in the energy industry. Before joining SM Energy, Ms. Lutey worked for Chesapeake Energy and ConocoPhillips and its predecessor companies. From 1994 to 2006, she worked for Burlington Resources in numerous technical and leadership positions with responsibility in engineering, geoscience, business development, strategic planning, and resource development in the United States and Canada.

Ms. Lutey holds a Bachelor of Science (Petroleum Engineering) and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science (Mechanical Engineering) from the Montana College of Mineral Science & Technology.

Mr. Poelzer is an independent businessman with more than 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and is currently a director and CEO at Opus Capital Corp. (an energy focused family office and private equity firm). Prior thereto, Mr. Poelzer was Vice Chair of Bonavista Energy Corporation from 2015 until August 2020; and prior thereto held various senior management roles responsible for various strategic planning, business development, financial and capital market roles. Prior to joining Bonavista in 1997, Mr. Poelzer was with Poco Petroleum Ltd. as Vice President, Business Development.

Mr. Poelzer is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Distinction) degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Poelzer is also a member of the board of directors on various private companies.

Ms. Stein has over 30 years of industry experience, including 20 years of direct experience in the oil and gas industry, most recently having held the position of Chief Financial Officer at AltaGas Ltd. Prior to joining AltaGas in 2005, Ms. Stein held various positions at TransCanada Corporation. Ms. Stein also led the finance functions of Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada and Paramount Canada’s Wonderland.

Ms. Stein is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant, holds a designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, majoring in Economics. Ms. Stein has also obtained the ESG Global Competent Boards Designation.

Ms. Stein also serves on the board of directors of Aecon Group Inc., Parkland Fuel Corporation, Trican Well Service Ltd., the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and various private companies, and is a past Chair of Financial Executives Canada and past Trustee of the Calgary Zoo.

Mr. Wright was our President and Chief Executive Officer from May 9, 2011 until March 1, 2024, and Chief Executive Officer from March 1, 2024 to his retirement on December 31, 2024. He has been a director since May 9, 2011 and continues to server on the board of directors. Mr. Wright has more than 34 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Prior to joining NuVista, Mr. Wright has held progressively more responsible roles both domestically and abroad with Talisman Energy Ltd., most recently as Senior Vice-President of Talisman’s North American Conventional Production Division which produced approximately one-half of Talisman’s North American production at the time. Prior to joining Talisman in 1995, Mr. Wright spent six years with Shell Canada Ltd. in various operations and business development roles.

Mr. Wright possesses both a Masters and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (with great distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan, where he earned, among other awards, the Canadian Governor General’s Gold Medal for being the Outstanding University Post-Graduate for his pursuit in hydraulics and computer controls.

Mr. Wright is also a member of the board of directors of Spur Petroleum Ltd.

Mr. Zawalsky is the Vice Chair of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP (Barristers and Solicitors) where he has been a Partner since 1994.

Mr. Zawalsky holds a Bachelor of Commerce and LL.B. from the University of Alberta and is a member of the Law Society of Alberta.

Mr. Zawalsky currently sits on the board of directors of PrairieSky Royalty Ltd., Whitecap Resources Inc. and a number of private companies. He is also the Corporate Secretary of ARC Resources Ltd. and was the President of the Calgary Petroleum Club.