Chesapeake's management team has been operating together as an exploration organization in Mexico and Central America since 1994. The strength of the Company is the ability of its people to recognize prospective geologic settings, generate quality projects and successfully finance their exploration development. The team's strategic vision and initiative rewarded Francisco Gold Corp.'s shareholders with the grassroots discoveries of El Sauzal and Marlin - two world class gold deposits with robust production economics. Chesapeake’s management believes the same discipline and focused commitment will lead to another corporate success for its shareholders.
P. Randy Reifel, President & Director
Randy Reifel has been a senior executive in the exploration business for 28 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. Mr. Reifel serves as a director of Goldcorp Inc.
Mark Malfair, Vice President Exploration
Mark Malfair has been the exploration manager at Chesapeake’s Metates Project since the drill program commenced last year. Mr. Malfair has 15 years of international experience in all phases of precious and base metal exploration including project and management positions. Working in Central America, South America, and Africa, Mr. Malfair has been a consulting geologist for Glamis Gold, RNC Gold, Maya Gold and MarWest Resources Ltd.
Alberto Galicia, Exploration Manager
Alberto Galicia is a geologist with 10 years exploration experience in Mexico and Central America. In 1996,
Mr. Galicia joined the Francisco Gold Corp. team and two years later co-discovered the Marlin gold deposit in western Guatemala. Mr. Galicia graduated as a Geological Engineer from the 'Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala' in 1993 and is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists.
Gerald L. Sneddon, Executive VP Operations & Director
Gerald Sneddon is a senior mining engineer with over 45 years domestic and international experience in the development and operation of precious and base metal mines. During his career he has held executive positions with the Anaconda Company, Kaiser Steel, Beker Industries and Morrison Knudson. In addition to his extensive operating experience, Mr. Sneddon has supervised several feasibility studies through mine construction and start-ups. Graduating in 1957, Mr. Sneddon holds engineering degrees from Montana State College and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers.
Chris K. Falck, Director
Chris Falck CFA, is the Managing Director, Research, for Sun Valley Gold LLC. Mr. Falck obtained a B.A. in Accounting and Finance from Lancaster University in 1982, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in England and Wales in 1985, and became a CFA Charterholder in 2003. Prior to joining Sun Valley, Mr. Falck was a VP Corporate Finance & Investment Banking with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLT, primarily responsible for mining clients. From 1989 to 1994 Mr. Falck worked for Teck Cominco in their finance group. Mr. Falck was the President of American Gold Capital Corporation until February, 2007.
Daniel J. Kunz, Director
Dan Kunz is a professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in mining, construction and financing of global resource projects. His tenures, most of which were at the senior management and/or president level, include Morrison Knudson Corporation and MK Gold Company. As former president of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Mr. Kunz played a key role in the acquisition, development and worldwide operations of Ivanhoe's mineral projects. Mr. Kunz holds a Masters of Business Administration, B.Sc. in Engineering Science and an Associate of Accounting degree.
Peter F. Palmedo, Director
Peter Palmedo is the President and Chief Investment Officer of Sun Valley Gold LLC, a registered investment adviser. Mr. Palmedo received a B.A. in Business and Finance from Hampshire College in 1979. He was a Principal of Morgan Stanley & Co. from 1981 until 1989, specializing in equity portfolio risk management and derivatives. Since that time Mr. Palmedo founded and has been the proprietor of Sun Valley Gold LLC providing investment advisory services in the precious metals asset class to a variety of principally U.S. and International Institutional Investors. Mr. Palmedo was the Chairman of American Gold Capital Corporation until February, 2007.
John Perston, Director
John Perston is a professional geologist with nearly 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 Dolores project in 1991 and retained a royalty on the project until 1998. Mr. Perston holds a B.Sc. Honors from London University and a Masters in Geology.
Bernard Poznanski, Corporate Secretary
Mr Poznanski is one of the founding partners of Koffman Kalef, a firm specializing in business law, and is head of their securities and mining law group. Mr. Poznanski has acted for a wide variety of companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the London AIM Market, and the Paris Nouveau Marché. He has particular expertise in dealing with mining and technology companies and advising companies with international projects. Mr. Poznanski has a B.Sc. degree from the University of Guelph, an LLB. degree from the University of Ottawa and an LLM. degree from McGill University.
