An experienced team
Our team
Dr. Dirk Naumann
President & CEO
In addition to leading Torngat Metals, Dirk is overseeing the technical development of the Strange Lake Project.
He has extensive experience in the chemical and mining industries, including previous positions with TH Goldschmidt, Bayer, Vale’s nickel division and Juniper Associates, an international consulting firm.
Dirk holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Göttingen (Germany).
Christine Burow
Chief Marketing Officer
Christine heads Torngat Metals’ indigenous, environmental, social, governance and Indigenous (IESG) strategy and oversees the company’s marketing, business development and government relations initiatives.
With nearly 30 years of senior experience, she has worked in the rare earths sector since 2013. As president of her own consulting firm, she supported global mining, technology, environmental and manufacturing clients. She formerly worked for Resolute Forest Products, Trojan Technologies, Rayonier and Vale’s nickel division.
Christine holds a BSc degree from the University of Waterloo and an executive MBA from Western University.
Alain Wilson
Chief Financial Officer
Alain oversees Torngat Metals’ finances. He has over 30 years of experience as a CFO and consultant, focusing on strategy and financial management in the mining, metal and chemical industries.
He previously served as consulting VP and Toronto office head at Mercer Management and was a founding member of Revelstoke Partners.
Alain holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (honours) from Queen’s University and an MBA from IMD Business School.
Samantha Doig
Vice President, Human Resources
With 15 years of HR experience, Samantha is a seasoned executive committed to driving positive change and fostering inclusive workplaces.
She specializes in driving growth and development through strategic initiatives designed to enhance performance, encourage leadership excellence and promote employee well-being. She is an Inuk beneficiary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Samantha holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in Psychology and Women’s Studies, along with a Human Resources Certificate, both from the University of Toronto.
Mauro Ferrara
Vice President, Finance
Mauro has over 30 years of financial management and reporting experience. Previous public-company roles include CFO of Adacel Technologies, CFO of Bitfarms, CFO of Savaria and Senior Director, Financial Reporting at WSP Global.
He specializes in financial reporting and change management, including the development and implementation of financial controls/processes and productivity improvements.
Mauro is a CPA-CA and holds bachelor’s and graduate degrees in public accounting from McGill University.
Éric Luneau
Vice President, Community Engagement and Partnerships
Éric has over 27 years of experience as a senior manager, specializing in human resources, health and safety and Indigenous relations.
He previously worked for Falconbridge, Domtar, Noranda and Canadian Royalties. His overseas experience includes Xstrata’s Koniambo project. Most recently, Eric worked with Tata Steel Minerals Canada.
Éric holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations and an occupational health and safety certificate from the Université de Montréal.
Dr. Sylvie St-Jean
Vice President, Environment
Sylvie has over 25 years of mining experience, with a focus on water and biodiversity management and Indigenous and First Nations partnerships.
She began her career with Canada’s Environmental Effects Monitoring Program. She has extensive operational experience as a compliance manager in the energy and mining sectors. Sylvie has also led reclamation/restoration projects in subarctic to desert climates, including wetlands and prairies.
She holds a master’s degree in environmental biology from University of Moncton and a PhD in Biological Oceanography from Université du Québec à Rimouski.
Clinton Swemmer, P.Eng.
Vice President, Project Management
Clinton is a seasoned professional with a track record of delivering major mineral processing and infrastructure projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, Russia, Central/South America, Canada and the USA.
He has deep expertise developing extreme-temperature solutions for complex projects in remote locations, as well as wide-ranging infrastructure projects (dams, ports, towns, villages, roads, hospitals and pipelines).
Clinton holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Hertfordshire (UK).
Dr. Edward Walker
Vice President, Resource
Geology and Mineralogy
Vice President, Resource Geology and Minerology
Edward is an accomplished geologist with over 30 years of experience in resource development and mineral exploration, including precious, base and rare metals and industrial deposits.
He is a qualified person (QP) for NI 43-101 (Standards and Disclosure for Mineral Projects within Canada) and is registered with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.
Edward holds a bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from Brock University and a PhD from the University of Western Ontario.
Emmanuelle Becaert, ing.
Senior Manager, Environment
Marilyn Butland
Stakeholder Relations,
Newfoundland and Labrador
Marilyn is a strategic advisor to Torngat Metals for stakeholder relations, project planning, and corporate communications in Newfoundland and Labrador. Marilyn has extensive experience with mining and natural resources projects ranging from exploration to production, operations to closures, and restarts.
Her extensive experience with Impact and Benefit Agreements, development agreements, community consultations and environmental assessments is invaluable for advancing Torngat Metals’ commitment to partnerships, respect, and shared benefits.
Her connections in Labrador run deep from her experience supporting negotiators with the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement and the executive team of the Nunatsiavut Government, as well as her engagement in Indigenous relations in Labrador and Quebec.
Her business acumen is honed by over thirty years as an executive and partner in government, business, and communications agencies. With a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University, she is also a certified public participation practitioner, management consultant and accredited partnership broker. Her volunteer work with business organizations provides a deep network throughout eastern and Arctic Canada.
Butland Communications has a proven reputation for advising and supporting leaders and executive teams in developing solid relationships in demanding situations. Working directly with planners, negotiators and implementing teams, from concept to start-up to operations, Marilyn has led and contributed to teams in developing and activating strategic plans to secure the trust of beneficiaries, regulators, funders, partners, members, employees, and the public.
Najil Roberts
Senior Manager, Human Resources
Navid Rohani, ing.
Process Engineer
Navid is a process engineer with more than 10 years of experience in the chemical production industry, energy sector and biorefining. He specializes in process development, integration and optimization with a focus on development and use of renewable energy and chemicals. Prior to joining Torngat Metals, Navid was involved in the development of several capital projects in the energy and chemicals sectors.
He has a Master of Science in process engineering from Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and an undergraduate degree in process management from McGill University.
Philippe Wattel
Metallurgy Engineer
Philippe is a highly experienced metallurgy engineer with 40 years of experience in non-ferrous metals and 25 years in the industry and since 2015 involved in rare earths.
He has held various manager positions at companies such as UMICORE, Griset, and Zincox and currently serves as a European representative and consultant for Torngat Metals.
Our Board of Directors
The following individuals are world-class in their fields of expertise, providing technical and strategic guidance to the Torngat Metals executive team.
Tom Gilman
Chairman
Mr. Gilman has over 40 years of experience as a senior executive and entrepreneur within the global automotive industry. He has unique automotive manufacturing, retailing, financial services, and supply chain expertise. He spent 22 years at Chrysler Corporation, then five years as CFO at Chrysler Financial during double-digit growth and 16 consecutive quarters of record profits. He later joined and oversaw the Asbury Automotive Group’s IPO on the NYSE.
In 2006, Mr. Gilman joined Cerberus Capital Management as a Senior Advisor, directing multiple deals, including the acquisitions of GMAC, Chrysler Financial, and Chrysler. He went on to become the Chairman and CEO of Chrysler Financial. He facilitated its sale to TD Bank Group, becoming President and CEO of TD Auto Finance and an Executive Vice President of TD Bank Group, Canada. From 2014 to 2018, he founded and sold Automotive Capital Services (ACS), which financed automotive dealership inventories.
From 2019 to 2021, Mr. Gilman was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration for the U.S. Department of Commerce, overseeing financial, management, administrative, and personnel functions for about 47,000 employees and a multi-billion-dollar budget. He speaks four languages and has lived in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He serves on several automotive company boards and holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Villanova University.
Nicholas P. Robinson
Managing Director,
Cerberus Capital Management
Mr. Robinson is a Managing Director on the Supply Chain and Strategic Opportunities team and previously served as the Co-Chief Investment Officer of Cerberus Telecom Acquisition Corporation until the completion of its business combination with KORE Wireless in 2021. Before that, he served as the firm’s Head Trader. He has led public and private deals in 5G, telecom, and next-generation technologies and was involved in the firm’s global risk management. He joined Cerberus in 2011 from Morgan Stanley, where he was an Executive Director and Credit Trader at the High-Yield and Distressed Desk. He started his career in 2004 as a Credit Analyst in Goldman Sachs’ Leveraged Loan Group after graduating from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
John P. Gallagher
Managing Director,
Cerberus Capital Management
John Gallagher is a Managing Director on Cerberus’ Supply Chain and Strategic Opportunities team, which invests in businesses driving next-generation technologies and capabilities that advance supply chain integrity. Previously, Mr. Gallagher was a Managing Director of Tracker Capital, a venture capital-oriented family office focused on emerging technologies.
He has extensive experience working across the U.S. interagency, intelligence community, and industry. Mr. Gallagher served as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) which advises the White House on top national security priorities. Following nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army, Mr. Gallagher was Chief Executive Officer of a non-governmental organization working in the Middle East and Asia. Prior, he was an advisor to several senior military commanders including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in the Pentagon, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, and the Commander of all coalition forces in Afghanistan. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Gallagher was a White House Fellow and a Director at the National Security Council.
A former airborne infantry officer and Army strategist, he graduated from West Point and holds two master’s degrees with distinction from The University of Chicago, in public policy and political science. At West Point, Mr. Gallagher taught American politics and foreign policy and was the Director of the Academy’s Rhodes Scholarship program. He is the recipient of numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (Service-Afghanistan) and Presidential Service Badge. Most recently, he received the 2023 Impact Award from the White House Fellowship Foundation.
Alberto Galeone
President, CEO, Treasurer
and Director, Sherbrooke Capital
Mr. Galeone joined Sherbrooke Street Capital (“SSC”) as CEO, Treasurer, and Director in October 2004 and added the role of President in March 2008. He has over 30 years of experience in brokerage dealings with Canadian and international institutional accounts. Before joining SSC, he spent five years at Canaccord Capital, where he was part of the Institutional Fixed Income Team. Previously, he was a Partner, Director, and President of the institutional brokerage arm of the Republic National Bank of New York-Canada.
Elias Hage
President,
Hagecor International
For over 25 years, Mr. Hage has executed his vision to pursue economic growth that promotes long-term social and environmental sustainability and security. He has founded or presided over international and national maritime, land, rail, and transportation companies, a waste-to-energy plant, beverage processing plants in Quebec, and companies in the real estate sector, including a hotel and workers’ cam development company. He enrolled in general business studies at Vanier College Montreal, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He also pursued graduate studies in maritime management at the Maine Maritime Academy
Cerberus Capital Management
Our cornerstone investor and strategic partner
- As a global leader in alternative investing with approximately US$ 60 billion in assets, Cerberus provides not only financial strength but also access to world class expertise, and extensive senior relationships with government, industry and influencers.
- Cerberus has a long-term investment horizon and a commitment to the Strange Lake project, having invested US$ 50 million in Torgnat Metals, the single largest rare earths investment in Canada.
- Cerberus’ ESG values for its portfolio companies directly aligns with Torngat’s commitment to IESG leadership.
- Torngat is the first critical minerals investment within Cerberus’ Supply Chain Opportunities Platform.