Leadership

K. Earl Reynolds

President & CEO

Earl joined the Bonavista team in July 2021 as President & Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for our strategic vision and overall management.   Earl has over 37 years of industry experience with exploration and production companies, including over 25 years in senior management positions.  Earl was most recently the CEO of Chaparral Energy in Oklahoma. 

Earl graduated in 1993 from the University of Houston with a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering and graduated in 1982 from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Derek Mendham

Chief Financial Officer

Derek joined the Bonavista team in November 2021 and is responsible for the financial health of the company.  Derek has 28 years of progressively senior finance and accounting experience in the exploration and production, oilfield services and capital market sectors.   Prior to joining Bonavista, Derek was CFO and co-founder of Modern Resources Inc., a highly efficient Deep Basin producer and recipient of EPAC’s Top Private Emerging Producer Award.

Derek received a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University and holds the Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and the Chartered Financial Analyst designations.

Chris Bruggencate

Chief Operating Officer

Chris joined the Bonavista team in January 2022 and is responsible for overseeing the continued operational excellence of the company. Chris has over 20 years of experience in the industry, and he has proven his strength in leading technical and operating teams through the senior leadership roles of both VP Operations and VP Engineering at Crescent Point Energy.

Chris graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2000 with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He holds a P.Eng designation with the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta.

Bill Marshall

Vice President, Exploration

Bill joined the Bonavista team in January 2012 and has had a variety of roles including managing the Exploration Group, Deep Basin Team and Resource Strategy Group.

Bill has 37 years of exploration experience in Western Canada with multiple organizations. In January 2023, Bill was promoted to Vice President Exploration and is responsible for all exploration and development activities as they relate to corporate strategy and implementation.

Bill graduated from the University of Calgary in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a minor in Geophysics. He has his professional designation with APEGA and is a member of the CSPG.

Colin J. Ranger

Vice President, Production

Colin joined the Bonavista team in September 2005 as Environmental Coordinator, and was promoted to Production Engineer in November 2007. In January 2011, Colin was promoted to Manager, Production Engineering and in October 2014, Colin was promoted to Vice President, Production. His responsibilities include overseeing our field operations team as well as our facility operations. Colin also leads our health, safety and environmental initiatives. Colin has over 20 years of industry experience in several fields.

Colin graduated from the University of Alberta in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences.

Lynda J. Robinson

Vice President, Human Resources and Administration

Lynda returned to Bonavista in January 2006 as Vice President, Human Resources & Administration. She originally joined Bonavista as Supervisor, Corporate Services in 2002 and left in 2005 to join an intermediate energy trust as Manager, Corporate Services. Lynda is responsible for human resources policies and best practices as well as overseeing corporate administration. Lynda has over 23 years of industry experience in various positions of increasing responsibility, with a focus on human resources development.

Lynda graduated from Bath Technical College, England with a Diploma in Business Administration.

Sami Ruohio

Vice President, Development

Sami joined the Bonavista team in December 2014 as Manager, Production Engineering and in May 2018 he moved to Manager, Drilling & Completions. In March 2023, Sami was promoted to Vice President, Development. His responsibilities include corporate reserves, budgeting, development and strategy. Sami is also responsible for Bonavista's drilling, completions and abandonment operations.

Sami has over 26 years of management, engineering, operations and field experience in Western Canada with various oil and gas companies. Prior to joining Bonavista, Sami was VP Engineering and co-founder of Bulldog Oil & Gas Inc. and VP Engineering with Highrock Energy Ltd.

Sami graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Distinction). He holds a P.Eng. designation with Association of Professional Engineers, Geoscientists of Alberta.