Our TeamShobhit Lodha2023-08-09T19:29:10+00:00

INDUSTRY DRIVEN, CLIENT PROVEN.

COMMITTED TO QUALITY

Our geologists, engineers, scientists and technicians have the key experience and provide the necessary attention to detail which ensures that the goals set in your office are achieved in the field.

Doug Engdahl

President & CEO

Navdeep Toor

Chief Operating Officer

Tanya Coetzee

VP Geophysics & Remote Sensing

Tyler Fiolleau

VP Exploration

Robert Friesen

VP Environment

Pieter Du Plessis

VP Technology Development

Melissa Engdahl

VP Operations & Community Development

Allison Frisky

Executive Assistant

Lynde Guillaume

Exploration Manager

Babatunde Bello

B.Sc: Senior Geophysicist

Brendan Engdahl

VP Corporate Development

Jonathan LaFreniere

Geophysics & Remote Sensing Manager

Ty Magee

Exploration Manager

Mikaela Miller

Project Geologist

Jonathan Chevalier

B.A.Sc., (EVSE): Environmental Engineer

Chris Brown

B.Sc.: Senior Geophysicist

Taylor Hinther

A.Sc.T., C.G.T Geomatics Manager

Vessela Hobson

Geophysicist

G.V. Shankar

M.Sc.: Senior Advisor

Mahdi AbuAli

Ph.D.: Senior Advisor

Logan Anaka

Exploration Geologist

Branden Fiolleau

UAV & Geomatics Specialist

Jeff Balas

Exploration Geologist

Joel Marit

Exploration Geologist

Jack Friedrichsen

GIS Analyst

Thomas Stanley-Jones

Manager of Technology

Javiera Castellanos

Administrative Receptionist & Junior Bookkeeper

Mitchell Bartel

Geomatics Technician

James Schulte

Exploration Geologist

Jeff Scott

Coordinator/UAV Technologist, Logistics, Fleet & Warehouse

Julie Haskill

Marketing Coordinator

Patrick Jamieson

VP Energy Services

Max Kaczmer

Project Geologist

Joshua Mitchell

Project Manager & Geophysicist

Craig Cubbon

Project Geologist

Join Our Team!

Interested in working with AXIOM GROUP

View current job postings

Pieter Duplessis

VP Technology Development

Pieter is a Professional Geoscientist with education and experience in geology, chemistry, soil science, applied mathematics, terrain evaluation and satellite analysis, business administration, mineral exploration and corporate strategy. He also developed and applied Machine and Deep Learning models for a variety of agricultural, forestry and environmental rehabilitation applications.

He founded and sold a company performing satellite analysis for mineral exploration and developed novel Artificial Intelligence models to utilize satellite and soil sample data to quantify organic matter, nutrients and micronutrients in agricultural applications.

Pieter provides the Axiom Group with critical expertise for enhanced performance and efficiency in mineral exploration, advanced data analytics, data forecasting, project management, strategic operations and planning, financial modelling, probabilistic risk modelling, mining and milling portfolio optimization, mineral resource management and more.

Pieter is a Professional Geoscientist with Tertiary education in Geology, Chemistry, Soil Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Terrain Evaluation, including satellite analysis and Business Administration. His career started in the 1990’s where geological expertise and satellite analysis was applied to mineral exploration projects. He has a broad spectrum of international experience from mineral exploration to corporate strategy across several commodities, including gold, diamonds, uranium, coal, base metals, oil shales and mineral sands. Pieter managed US$100 million per annum exploration programs that employed over 300 people in Canada.

He founded and sold a company for satellite analysis on mineral exploration and developed novel Artificial Intelligence models to utilize satellite and soil sample data to quantify organic matter, nutrients and micronutrients in agricultural applications. He also developed Machine and Deep learning models for applications in forestry and environmental rehabilitation using satellite, helicopter and UAV based spectral data to identify tree and other vegetation species.

Pieter also developed novel Machine Learning models to quantify Kaolinite and Halloysite minerals from spectral data for a project in Australia, resulting in several orders of magnitude cost savings for the client and an international publication.

Mahdi AbuAli

Ph.D.: Senior Advisor

Mahdi AbuAli has over thirty years of petroleum geology and exploration experience with Saudi Aramco, from which he took early retirement at the end of 2020. He is expert on risk and data analysis and managing exploration portfolios and he has a proven record of adding multi mmb oil and several tcf gas to Saudi Amramco’s annual exploration portfolio. His extensive proficiencies cover integrated petroleum systems analysis, basin modeling, organic petrography, surface geochemical exploration, source rock evaluation, R&D studies with high caliber institutes and universities, strategic planning, risk evaluation, integration of multidisciplinary G&G data, prospect and regional play fairway assessment and management of multi-cultural joint ventures.

Mahdi has carried out work on Paleozoic and Mesozoic basins, generating regional and sub-regional basin models and integrated petroleum system element fairway maps. His experience with international IOCs covered both technical and administrative roles of joint venture operations with Saudi Aramco, exploring for gas in the Rub’ Al Khali Basin from 2006 to 2010.

Mahdi was selected to transfer regional data and knowledge to the IOC’s data rooms during the licensing rounds in 2000-2004. These companies include Shell, Total, Eni, Repsol, ExxonMobil, Sinopec, and Lukoil, amongst others.

He has published key papers on the major carbonate and siliciclastic petroleum systems of Saudi Arabia and was considered the principal geochemist and petroleum system analyst in Saudi Aramco by both education and experience. His major publication was co-editing the AAPG Memoir #114 on Petroleum Systems Analysis-Case Studies, 2017.

Mahdi holds a US patent # 10,713,398 as a co-author (2020) and patent# 10,280,747 as a primary author (2019), plus a few other pending patents under application. He holds a Ph.D. in Geoscience from RWTH Aachen University, Germany, an M.Sc. in Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines, US, and a B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry from KFUPM, Saudi Arabia. Currently, Mahdi is a senior advisor and consultant for Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. and Raphael Energy.

G.V. Shankar

M.Sc.: Senior Advisor

G.V. Shankar (GV) holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), Canada. He furthered his expertise by training at Hitachi Zosen in Japan and Kaffee Hag in Germany, a General Foods, USA subsidiary. His research at U of S delved into the "Pyrolysis of spent coffee." In addition to his core competencies in Pollution Control, BioProcess Engineering, and Plant Optimization, GV is recognized for his specialized work in these areas.

With an impressive tenure of 45+ years, GV boasts multi-national experience in managing industrial enterprises. For the past three decades, he has carved a niche as an Entrepreneur in Canada, closely associating with a spectrum of enterprises, from small to large, with a particular emphasis on Western Canada. His professional journey has seen him deeply engaged in 'Process Equipment Design & Manufacturing,' followed by 'Operations & Maintenance (O&M)' across sectors like 'Chemical, Petrochemical, Fertilizer, and Power Plants on a global scale. Presently, he is directing his expertise toward areas such as Energy, Mining, Oil and gas, Environment, and Transportation.

Agriculture remains close to his heart. His involvement stretches from the 'Field to the Fork.' This includes everything from genomic interventions aimed at enhancing productivity to value addition in diverse products, be it crops, fruits, vegetables, or nuts. GV's global network is commendable. He has fostered connections with Governments, Industrial Groups, Entrepreneurs, Prime Consultants, Legal Counsels, Process Licensors, EPC companies, Research and Financial Institutions. His knack for relationship-building is evident through his solid ties with Country, Bi- and Multi-Lateral Funding and Financing Institutions. Furthermore, he has collaborated with leading global consulting organizations, notably the "Big 5".

GV's interest in the fusion of Information Technology, including deploying AI algorithms, with various consulting, processing, and manufacturing verticals is profound. This inclination stemmed from his entrepreneurial stint running a software corporation in Canada, which bridged connections with India, Japan, the UK, and other pivotal regions.

For a decade, he dedicated his expertise on a contract and need basis as the Strategy Advisor & Sr. Consultant (India) to the Premier of Saskatchewan, the Hon. Brad Wall. This role enabled him to work collaboratively with various government tiers across Canada, the USA, and India. He contributed significantly to the theme: "Food, Fuel & Fertilizer - A Saskatchewan Success Story."

GV's holistic experience, from technical expertise to entrepreneurial ventures and strategic advisory roles, underscores his versatility and deep-rooted commitment to industrial excellence.