Management Team
Rod Ruston
President & Chief Executive Officer
Rodney J. Ruston became President and Chief Executive Officer of North American on May 9, 2005 and took the Company public with a listing on both the NYSE and TSX on November 22, 2006. In 2007, Mr. Ruston joined Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s President’s Advisory Committee. Previously, Mr. Ruston was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ticor Limited, a publicly-listed, Australian natural resources company with operations in Australia, South Africa and Madagascar. Mr. Ruston has spent his entire career in the natural resources industry, holding management positions with Pasminco Limited, Savage Resources Limited, Wambo Mining Corporation, Oakbridge Limited, and Kembla Coal & Coke Pty. Limited. He was Chairman of the Australian Minerals Tertiary Education Council from July 2003 until May 2005 and received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Wollongong and Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of New South Wales in Australia.
David Blackley
Chief Financial Officer
David Blackley became Chief Financial Officer on June 10, 2009, prior to that he served as NACG's Vice President, Finance. He has extensive experience leading accounting and financial reporting teams and overseeing the design and implementation of internal financial controls and processes. Previously Mr. Blackley served at Lafarge Canada Inc. as Vice President, Finance of the North American Aggregates and Concrete division. A Chartered Accountant, Mr. Blackley holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Rhodes University in South Africa.
Bernie Robert
Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Business Strategy
Bernie Robert was appointed Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Business Strategy in November 2008, prior to that he held the role of Vice President, Business Development and Estimating. Bernie brings a wealth of experience to the position with over ten years at NACG in various roles including Controller and Director, Business Development.
Robert Harris
Vice President, Human Resources, Health Safety & Environment
Robert G. Harris joined us in June 2006 as Vice President, Human Resources, Health, Safety & Environment. In over 30 years in business he has held progressively more senior roles in Human Resources and Health and Safety with Chrysler Canada, IPSCO Inc. and Labatt Breweries of Canada. Mr. Harris has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor and a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation.
Kevin Mather
Vice President, Supply Chain
Mr. Mather joined North American Construction Group in 1997 as a Project Coordinator, becoming a Project Manager in 2000. In 2004 he was appointed General Manager, Mining and in January 2007 Heavy Construction was added to his scope of responsibilities, Mr. Mather held this position until being appointed Vice President, Supply Chain in December 2007. Mr. Mather attended the University of Alberta and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1996 as well as a Master of Science in Construction Engineering and Management in 1998.
Chris Yellowega
Vice President, Operations
Chris Yellowega joined NACG in 2008 as Vice President, Major Mining Projects and was subesquently appointed Vice President, Operations in 2009. Mr. Yellowega brings extensive oilsands development and operations experience, having previously served at the Athabasca Oilsands Project Expansion (Albian Sands) as Superintendent responsible for leading the expansion project team for upstream operations. A Mining Engineer, Mr. Yellowega is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Alberta Chamber of Resources and is recognized as a Registered Professional Engineer.
