Vice-Chair
Christian Somerton (Acclaimed)
In his role as Executive Vice President – Services, Maintenance and Marine at Pennecon, Christian is responsible for our technical services, hydraulics, maintenance, marine base, and warehousing teams across Atlantic Canada. Christian began his career at Pennecon in 2007, since then he has worked with oil and gas operators, tier 1 EPC contractors, government, and the local supplier base on multiple projects and assets offshore.
Christian has a Masters of Science in Supply Chain Management and International Logistics from the University of South Wales and is Chair of the Victoria Park Foundation, Director of St. John’s Sports and Entertainment, and Director of Newfoundland LNG.
Since 2016, Christian has been a Director on the Board of Noia progressing to the Treasurer role in 2020. Christian is a strong advocate and local champion of the local oil and gas industry.
Treasurer
Gerry Mayo (Acclaimed)
As VP, Operations with PF Collins International Trade Solutions, Gerry is responsible for managing Freight Forwarding, Warehousing, Marine Agency, and Immigration Consulting departments.
A Chartered Public Accountant and experienced senior operations manager, Gerry has held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, including 10 years as Base Manager for FMC Technologies.
Gerry’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Memorial University, a Diploma in Project Management from the Norwegian School of Management, and extensive subsea technical, operations, and equipment training.
As Director of Noia and Chair of their Research, Policy, & Communications Committee, Gerry works tirelessly to promote the development and growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas industry.
When not working, Gerry enjoys spending time with his family and contributing to various charitable and community organizations. An avid runner, he is an executive member of the STRIDE Running NL group and regularly participates in local road races, including the Tely 10 and the grueling Cape to Cabot.
Director
Paul Broders, P.ENG.
Operations Manager, Wood
Paul graduated in 1992 from Memorial University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Paul has worked exclusively in the local oil and gas industry for the past 28 years and has held a number of managerial roles including Technical Services Manager, VP of Operations and Operations Manager with both Tier 1 and Tier 2 oil and gas organizations. For the past seven years, Paul has held positions with Wood including Project Development Manager, Construction and Maintenance Manager and his current position as Operations Manager, East Coast Canada.
Paul is committed to ensuring our local region remains globally competitive and that the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and Noia members realize maximum benefits from future developments.
Since 2019, Paul has been a Director on the Board of Noia and active member of the Noia Finance Committee.
Kristina Ennis
Kristina is a proud Newfoundland and Labrador resident, an outgoing professional with a positive attitude, and a strong advocate for our Oil and Gas sector.
Having spent nearly a decade in the NL Oil and Gas industry, she has experience in HR, industrial benefits, inclusion and diversity (I&D), project controls, and regulatory affairs. She is a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) Honours graduate from Memorial University with a focus in human resources and labour relations.
Kristina began her career in 2012 on the Hebron Topsides Project with WorleyParsons in HR and industrial benefits, and quickly developed a great appreciation for how important, impactful and innovative our industry is here in the province. Her career continued with ExxonMobil Canada, specializing in industrial benefits, research and development, inclusion and diversity and regulatory affairs on the Hebron and Hibernia assets, and exploration. In 2021 Kristina joined the SEM Ltd team, supporting business development, socioeconomic and community relations, and human resources.
Kristina is an active community volunteer. She was the recipient of the 2018 Emerging Young Professional Award at the St. John’s Board of Trade Business Excellence Awards, a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, and is a dedicated community volunteer. She has been an active member of the Rotary Club of St. John’s East and Rotaract Club of St. John’s for over 12 years, and has held a variety of leadership roles in Rotary at the local, regional and international level. Kristina is an active member of Equal Voice NL, and in her spare time enjoys exercising, crafting and coaching competitive youth athletics.
Kristina is passionate about I&D and believes in the impact of representation. As a young professional she hopes to bring a new voice and a fresh perspective to the table as we, together as Noia members, advocate for the safe, innovative, oil and gas sector that is critical to our economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. As Noia members, we know the capability, strength, and reliability of our industry and Kristina is eager to join the Noia Board of Directors to continue advocating for the industry at both the local and national level – and around the world. Together we can continue to grow a sustainable, competitive industry that will be beneficial to all stakeholders for years many to come.
Click here for Kristina’s video.
Jason Fudge
President, DF Barnes
Jason was born and raised in St. John’s, NL. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Memorial University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Dalhousie University. He currently resides in Portugal Cove – St. Phillip’s with his wife Christa and two children, Gavin and Maria.
Jason has been actively engaged in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore industry since 2003. Formally as Chief Financial Officer and now President of DF Barnes, Jason has been a key contributor to its rise as one of the provinces largest multi-disciplinary maintenance, fabrication, and construction contractors. Through his 18 year career with DF Barnes, Jason has had significant exposure to industry issues and developed a strong commitment toward creating opportunities for local companies and workers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Jason has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by locally owned and operated businesses, especially during difficult market conditions like we face today. Higher costs, political volatility, geography and market size all make Newfoundland and Labrador a unique and often challenging place to do business. Jason firmly believes that our ability to think creatively, innovate, and relentlessly pursue success is what makes so many Newfoundland and Labrador businesses great.
Jason is a highly motivated and results driven person. His commitment to success is apparent in everything he does and DF Barnes has been the beneficiary of that commitment. In sharing his experiences and positive attitude, Jason hopes to support a renewed expansion of our Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry as a member of Noia’s Board of Directors.
Please click here.
Caron Hawco, ICD.D, CITP, ABC, PMP
It is important that Noia continues to be a leading voice, supporting the sustainability of our oil and gas industry while anticipating where the industry is going into the future, with digitalization, innovation, collaboration, diversification and export. Maximizing the economic recovery of our petroleum resources and opening doors to new opportunities will be mission critical and my focus if I am elected to serve on Noia’s Board of Directors.
I offer my industry knowledge, global experience and supply chain insights to serve NOIA member companies and promote the continued growth and sustainability of our oil and gas industry and its supply chain companies.
About Me
Noia Experience: With over 20 years-experience in oil and gas, I am past Chair of Noia and have served on many Noia initiatives, including co-chairing its international conference, ITS 30-year anniversary celebrations as well as contributed to numerous policy statements and export initiatives, involving Houston, Norway and Guyana trade initiatives.
Professional Insight: As President of the Caron Hawco Group, I specialize in corporate strategy, international business development and communications. I work with a strong portfolio of industry leading clients, innovators and associations, opening new markets such as Guyana and Norway. Recently, I have focused on oil and gas, ocean tech, clean tech, innovation and shipbuilding. From 2008-15, I served on Statoil’s (Equinor) Offshore Canada leadership team. I also collaborated on a recent industry study that examined how oil and gas jurisdictions around the world have diversified to support the growth of strong clean tech/climate tech sectors.
Industry Building: I serve on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Oil and Gas Recovery Taskforce and on the Boards of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and TechNL. I am a gender diversity advocate who promotes female participation in technology and natural resources. I also contributed to NOIA’s and TechNL’s Digital Transformation Working Group study – an initiative focused on NL’s oil and gas digital journey.
Kristina Kearney
Representing small local business, let’s make history. If you are passionate about keeping the people of our province at home with their families – you’re in good company. Kristina Kearney has been doing just that for the people in our Oil & Gas industry for almost ten years – and she is just getting started. Recently awarded 9th TOP Recruiter in Canada, Kristina has a passion for assisting local qualified talent in job placements in the oil & gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Currently, Kristina holds a position as Business Development Manager with Avara Solution’s Inc., a local drilling and completion engineering and advisory service firm. As well Kristina is a Director of WORKFORCE by Avara Inc, a personnel recruitment company supporting our local industry. Kristina dedicates her time in support of our industry as an advocate who is committed to helping our post-secondary and high-school students to appreciate our oil and gas industry and the incredible opportunities that are upcoming and in demand.
“I started in a small local business – these are the networks I want to represent as a NOIA Director. There are so many of us working hard and have a lot to contribute. Our perspectives are relevant to our industry. That’s what I want to achieve above anything – a greater and more inclusive bond between the incredible leaders in our industry today, and the ones of tomorrow like me who want to move their legacy forward in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Duncan Whitcomb, LEED AP BD+C
As Broker of Record for DewCor, a multi-disciplinary investment firm based in downtown St. John’s, Duncan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the boardroom. As a long-time member of Noia, Mr. Whitcomb is deeply committed to the continued success and expansion of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore industry and has an extensive history of representing several of the province’s key players as it relates to their real property needs. This ever-expanding list of clients has come to encompass various private, pubic and institutional users across a diversity of energy-related fields including manufacturing, technology, sustainability, consulting and human resources.
In addition to his professional role, Duncan holds a MSc. Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford, as well as a professional designation from the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC). Subsequent to this academic background, Mr. Whitcomb is passionate about Newfoundland and Labrador’s role within the global economy as well as nurturing a robust, competitive and responsible investment environment through which to attract and retain flows of foreign and domestic capital. Correspondingly, Mr. Whitcomb recognizes and appreciates the critical importance industry associations such as Noia play in championing our provincial economy and is excited about the potential to lend added prospective at this critical junction point in the industry’s future.
Jeremy Whittle
Jeremy Whittle was born and raised in beautiful St. Bernard’s – Jacques Fontaine, an outport community on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Following completion of a Diploma in Nautical Science from the Marine Institute, and a Bachelor of Maritime Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Jeremy charted a career in the province’s offshore oil and gas sector which has given him a unique perspective. He has worked in progressively senior roles, onshore and offshore, with both operator and service sector companies, in a variety of disciplines, including logistics, commercial and supply chain management, and health and safety. Following thirteen years with Husky Energy, Jeremy joined Crosbie in 2017 as Group Vice President, Client Services, where he is responsible for leading Crosbie’s offshore business in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is actively engaged in Crosbie’s expansion into new markets, most notably Guyana.
Jeremy has been an active member of several industry committees, including CAPP’s Atlantic Canada Safety committee, CAPPs Training and Qualifications committee, and CAPP’s Oil Spill Dispersant working committee. Jeremy was intimately involved with improving helicopter transport safety as a member of the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry (OHSI) implementation team which was formed to provide advice to the C-NLOPB on how to effectively implement recommendations from the Wells Report following the crash of flight 491 in March, 2009. He is currently Chair of the Husky Centre of Excellence in Sales and Supply Chain Management Advisory Board through Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration. A lifelong learner, Jeremy is presently in the final months of completing studies for his Master of Business Administration from Durham University, United Kingdom.
With strong ties to the ocean, Jeremy is committed to helping sustain a globally competitive, sustainable offshore oil and gas service sector that is well-positioned to deliver value for Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and global energy markets. Jeremy considers a strong energy sector critical to our future. He is eager to continue applying his industry experience and knowledge in ways which help to foster growth and sustainability for the industry and for Noia’s members.
Darren Zwicker
Darren Zwicker is the Vice President, Environmental Solutions – Atlantic for Terrapure Environmental. He is accountable for the overall performance of Atlantic operations (10 sites). Providing leadership to drive EHS performance, business development and retention, development and communication of strategy, achievement of financial targets, identification and pursuit of acquisitions, and the development and retention of employees. He joined Newalta in 2013 and after the sale of the industrial division of Newalta and the recent acquisition of Envirosystems Inc by Birch Hill Equity Partners, he is now responsible for over 100 employees in the St. Johns area at sites on Logy Bay Road and in Foxtrap. The employees at both of these sites are dedicated to providing safe, reliable and cutting edge waste management solutions for the oil and gas industry.
Darren has experience in board involvement first spending over 10 years as a volunteer on the Kennebecasis Valley Minor Hockey Association board (KVMHA), lastly as President for 2 years. More recently he was the Chair of the Maritimes Energy Association and has involvement in several non profit organizations, most recently on the advisory board for Think Like Cancer, a group of senior executives who came together to raise $1 million for cancer research.
”I am committed to the Newfoundland offshore oil and gas industry to ensure the long term employment of my team. We intend to continue to work with our existing customers, using the newest technology to improve safety and operations. My goal is to continue to grow our business which will mean growing our workforce and being a sustainable employer in the Newfoundland market. I am committed to playing an active role on the Noia board, using my board and industry experience to have a positive impact as a board member.”
