Joe Lambert
President & Chief Executive Officer
Joseph C. Lambert became Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 1, 2021. He had previously been appointed President on October 31, 2017, while also retaining his role as Chief Operating Officer which he had held since June 1, 2013. Mr. Lambert originally joined the Company as General Manager of Mining in April 2008 after an extensive career in the mining industry. Mr. Lambert was promoted to Vice President, Oil Sands Operations in September 2010, and accepted the position of Vice President, Operations Support in January 2012.
Jason Veenstra
Chief Financial Officer
Jason Veenstra serves as the Chief Financial Officer for NACG, after joining the company in 2018. Previously, Mr. Veenstra worked for Finning International Inc., where he led sales and marketing efforts for Caterpillar equipment in their Canadian mining division. Prior to Finning, Mr. Veenstra spent 10 years at the publicly traded Westmoreland Coal Company in various roles, including CFO and Treasurer. Mr. Veenstra also has experience in the nickel industry with Sherritt International, and the insurance industry with Forensic Investigations. Mr. Veenstra articled to become a Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young. He holds an accounting designation from CPA Alberta and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.
Barry Palmer
Chief Operating Officer & Regional President of MacKellar Group
Barry Palmer joined NACG in 1982 as a heavy equipment operator. In the years that have passed since, Mr. Palmer has moved up through the Company serving as Operations Foreman, General Foreman, Superintendent, Project Manager, Operations Manager and General Manager of HC&M, prior to being promoted into the role of Vice President, Oil Sands Operations in December of 2011. In June of 2013, Mr. Palmer was named Vice President, Heavy Construction & Mining, and in November of 2018, the title was escalated to Senior Vice President Operations. In January of 2021, Mr. Palmer climbed another step up the ladder, taking on the title of Chief Operating Officer. In January of 2024, Mr. Palmer was named Chief Operating Officer and the Regional President of the MacKellar Group in Australia.
Jordan Slator
Chief Legal Officer
Jordan Slator was named Chief Legal Officer in January of 2024, after serving as NACG’s Vice President and General Counsel since November 28, 2018. Mr. Slator first joined the Corporation as General Counsel on August 30, 2010, and has also served as Corporate Secretary since June 2, 2011. Mr. Slator began his career in law with Miller Thomson LLP in Edmonton after being called to the Alberta bar in 1996. He practiced in the firm’s corporate commercial department, advising a wide range of clients, from owner-operated businesses to large multi-national corporations, financial institutions and governments. Mr. Slator has extensive experience in corporate and commercial matters including mergers and acquisitions, banking and financing, commercial real estate and leasing, intellectual property, director liability, securities regulation and construction law. Mr. Slator holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.
David Kallay
Chief People Officer
David Kallay was named Chief People Officer in January of 2024, after serving as Vice President, Health, Safety, Environment and Human Resources since November 28, 2018. Mr. Kallay originally joined the Corporation as Health and Safety Manager on December 1, 2008. He was promoted to General Manager of Health, Safety, Environment and Training on October 1, 2011, and General Manager of Human Resources on July 21, 2016. Mr. Kallay brings over 20 years of progressive leadership in human resources and safety management in both the private and public sector. He has worked in other industries outside of heavy construction and mining, which include forestry, insurance, oil and gas, and health care. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kallay was employed as an Organizational Health consultant with Sun Life Financial, helping companies in various sectors align people strategy to business strategy. Mr. Kallay was a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta in the Occupational Health and Safety program from 2003 until 2014. Mr. Kallay is skilled in all aspects of human resources, occupational health, safety and training. In his current role, he leads a team in reinforcing strong company culture, creating and leading employee engagement, development programs, talent management strategies and organizational performance improvement that support the achievement of business goals and objectives. Mr. Kallay graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor degree from the University of Alberta.
Laura Schumacher
Vice President, Finance
Laura Schumacher serves as Vice President, Finance at NACG, bringing over 16 years of diverse experience in corporate finance, financial reporting, and operational accounting. In this role since July 2024, Ms. Schumacher oversees corporate finance functions, including financial planning and analysis (FP&A), compliance, and financial operations across the company. Since joining NACG in 2008, Ms. Schumacher has held progressively senior roles, demonstrating expertise in financial leadership, corporate governance, and operational efficiency. Prior to her current role, she served as Corporate Controller for seven years, managing corporate and operational accounting, financial reporting, and compliance with risk management practices. Earlier in her career, Ms. Schumacher held positions including Operations Controller and Corporate Finance Manager, where she played a key role in driving financial performance and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. Ms. Schumacher holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and an accounting designation from CPA Alberta.
Craig Nauta
Vice President, Operations
Craig Nauta was appointed Vice President, Operations at NACG in January 2024, following more than 20 years of progressively senior roles within the company. He brings extensive experience across multiple disciplines, having served in key positions including Field Engineer, Project Manager, Operations Manager, and General Manager of Regional Services. In his current role, Mr. Nauta oversees all construction and mining operations across North America and is responsible for managing NACG’s extensive equipment fleet. Before joining NACG, Mr. Nauta began his career with EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. (now Tetra Tech), working on various infrastructure projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta and is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Alberta.