Management Team

Elson McDougald, Founder and Board

Mr. McDougald has over 60 years of experience in the oil and gas services business. 

Mr. McDougald was recently a director of Matrrix/Stampede Drilling Inc. (“Stampede”) from 2011 to 2023. Prior thereto, Elson was the founding CEO and the Executive Chairman of CanElson Drilling Inc. (“CanElson”) from August 2008 to August 2015 until it was purchased by Trinidad Drilling Ltd. (“Trinidad”). Prior thereto, he was Chairman of Savanna Energy Services Corp. (“Savanna”) from August 2006 to May 2008. Prior to its merger with Savanna in August 2006, Mr. McDougald was the founding Chairman, President and CEO of Western Lakota Energy Services Inc.(“Western Lakota”), which he grew from a startup company in 2002 to a $650 million company at the time of its merger with Savanna. Prior to Western Lakota, Elson was the founding Chairman and CEO of Tetonka Drilling Inc. (“Tetonka”), incorporated in 1997 and sold to Bonus Resource Services Corp. for approximately $155 million in November 2000 (ultimately purchased by Nabors Drilling). Prior thereto, Mr. McDougald was the Founder, CEO, President, CFO and COO of Laredo Drilling Ltd. (“Laredo”).  Mr. McDougald was formerly a director of Phoenix Energy Services Corp., Alberta Treasury Branch, CCR Technologies Ltd., Elson Energy Enterprises Ltd., Trinidad and Stampede.

Mr. McDougald was awarded the IYINIW Lifetime Achievement award presented by Chief Buffalo, Chief Laboucane, Chief Stanley, and Chief Makokis and was awarded the IRC Circle award for his contributions to Indigenous communities in the energy sector.

Andy Popko - Vice President

Mr. Popko has over 45 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and has been at the forefront of Indigenous engagement across Canada, Alaska and internationally. He began his career with AEC, which became EnCana. Andy was appointed Encana’s first VP of Indigenous Relations. Andy was seconded to the Privy Council Office in Ottawa, where he worked on the Kelowna Accord Agreement and collaborated on Indigenous policy matters related to Economic Development.  In 2008, he worked as VP of Indigenous Affairs with the Northern Gateway Pipeline project.  In 2012, he was appointed as VP of NCSG Crane and Heavy Haul, where he continues to lead Indigenous partnerships across Canada. Mr. Popko has served on the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Métis Crossing, an Indigenous tourism destination in Alberta. Andy has been recognized as an Honorary Chief of Heart Lake First Nation, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tribal Institute of Treaty 6, and received the Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Minerals and Mines in Washington, D.C., for his work with Indigenous communities in Northern Alaska.

Angela Lau – Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Lau is a graduate of the University of Calgary where she earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in accounting and continued her professional education by obtaining her Chartered Accountants (CPA-CA) designation with distinction while working with KPMG, her American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) designation with the State of Illinois, and her Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation. 

Stephanie Lau- Corporate Relations

Ms. Lau has a background in International Relations from the University of Calgary, where she has developed a strong foundation in global affairs, policy analysis, and strategic communication. She is also DELF B1 certified in French, demonstrating her proficiency in bilingual communication and cross-cultural engagement.