Leadership Team

Caldera's Board and Management team is comprised of a diverse group of seasoned professionals who bring specific requisite experience and skills to Caldera. This results in a holistic approach to the development of the business, with the ultimate goal being to generate significant value for stakeholders.

Lewis Reford, Chairman

  • Currently CEO of Schneider Power, a renewable energy developer recently acquired by Quantum Technologies
  • Senior consulting portfolio advisor to Gazit for renewable energy investments – 20% ownership of Ormat
  • Former Managing Director of J.P. Morgan and CEO of MGI Securities

Michael Newman, CEO, Director

  • Founder, President & CEO of InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: IIP.UN/IIP.DB)
  • Named one of Canada's 100 Fastest Growing Companies by Profit Magazine in 2008 and 2009
  • Extensive experience in the capital markets and serves on the board of numerous public companies

Richard Zehner, President, COO & Director

  • Founder of Caldera
  • Formerly a research scientist at the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, University of Nevada, Reno
  • Over twenty years experience working on active and fossil geothermal systems - conducted extensive research and compiled GIS database on controls of geothermal systems
  • Geologist and project manager for a number of mining companies including Kinross Gold, Idaho Consolidated Metals Corp., Cyprus-Amax Exploration and Amax Gold Exploration

 Bryan Knebal, CFO

  • CFO of The Skor Food Group Inc., one of Profit Magazine's Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies from 2004 - 2007
  • Former CFO, Director and Trustee of InterRent REIT
  • Completed and integrated more than 15 corporate acquisitions over a ten year period, negotiated and raised $10 million in new debt authorizations over past five years and raised $9 million via private placement in 2006

Jane Mackay, VP Business Development

  • Former President and CEO of EnerAsia Renewable Corp., an Asian-focused wind, hydro and Geothermal development company
  • Founded and director  of Wind Works Energy Corp. (acquired by Crestreet Capital in 2007)
  • Founded and was a director of Vindt Resources (amalgamated with Shear Wind Inc.)
  • Prior to that Ms. MacKay, a geologist,  worked for Phelps Dodge AustralAsia as President of PT KTR, its Indonesian subsidiary from 1996-2000.

Dr. Mark Coolbaugh, Chief Geoscience Advisory Committee Member

  • Formerly Research Assistant Professor at the Great Basin Center at the University of Nevada, Reno
  • Instrumental in developing data-driven geothermal GIS exploration models and a number of new exploration techniques such as the shallow two meter thermal probes
  • Over twenty years experience working on active and fossil geothermal systems

Ann Carpenter, Director

  • Geologist with over 25 years of experience in exploration and mine project development
  • Currently President and CEO of Remote Energy Solutions, focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency for the mining industry
  • Previously President and COO of U.S. Gold Corp.

 William Kennedy, Director

  • Over 40 years of experience in the investment industry including with T.A. Richardson & Co., Draper Dobie & Co., and Burns Bros. & Denton (now BMO Nesbitt Burns)
  • Served on numerous boards of public and private companies including Aur Resources Inc., a TSX listed company which was ultimately acquired by Teck-Cominco in 2007 for $4.1 Billion.
  • Chaired the Audit Committee from 1987-2005 and was a member of the compensation, nominating and governance committees for Aur. 

Wesley J. Hall, Director

  • Founded Kingsdale Shareholder Services Inc. in 2003, Kingsdale Communications Inc. in 2009
  • Sought out to lead some of the highest profile deals in North America including Petro Canada's $19 billion merger with Suncor Energy
  • Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipient in Ontario (2009).

Yannis Banks, Director

  • Managing Director of Foundation Markets, a Toronto-based merchant bank which helped to found and finance Caldera.
  • Leads the energy and natural resource practices for Foundation with a focus on financing and advising growth companies.