Bernie Robert

Independent Director and Chairman

With over 25 years of senior executive experience, including roles as CEO, COO, and CFO, Mr. Robert has worked primarily in the construction and energy sectors. His career includes senior leadership positions at Keller Group plc, Keller Canada, North American Construction Group, and Enbridge, where he successfully led organizations in both public and private ownership environments. His extensive leadership background is marked by his ability to develop practical solutions for complex business challenges within the private sector.

A professional accountant (CPA, CGA) and holder of the ICD.D professional director designation, Mr. Robert has also completed Ozone Advisory’s High-Performing Board Program. Combined with his deep private board experience, this positions him well to chair Volant’s Advisory Board.

Blair Layton

Independent Director

Mr. Layton has held CEO and CFO roles across several organizations, ranging from private start-ups to multi-divisional public conglomerates. His expertise encompasses legal, financial, and operational aspects of business, including fundraising, strategic planning, corporate finance management, mergers and acquisitions, organizational design, compensation management, franchise acquisition evaluation, and operational management for divisional operations, and various other topics directly related to operations.

With direct experience delivering digital solutions to the upstream oil and gas industry and a broad understanding of business operations, Mr. Layton is uniquely qualified to advise Volant’s management team.

Richard Spears

Independent Director

Mr. Spears co-leads Spears & Associates and serves as the primary author of the firm’s Oilfield Market Report and Oilfield Logix series. His career has evolved from field engineering to market research and private company investment, enabling him to build extensive industry expertise and a robust network. In addition to being a sought-after presenter, Mr. Spears serves on the boards of several privately owned oilfield service companies.

His deep industry insights into market trends and the value delivery of oilfield service companies position Mr. Spears to challenge and inspire Volant’s management team through his board experience.

Bill Roggensack

Shareholder Director

Dr. Roggensack is a founding member of Volant and previously served as CEO and President until he stepped down mid-2013 making himself available to mentor Volant’s management team. He continued to support the company as Chairman of the Board until 2024, when Volant created its Advisory Board.
With a deep understanding of Volant’s business, Dr. Roggensack offers invaluable guidance to the management team both formally and informally. His extensive expertise and broad knowledge uniquely position him to provide strategic oversight, management and leadership insights, ensuring Volant’s continued success.

Maurice Slack

Shareholder Director

Mr. Slack, a founding member of Volant, has served as Vice President of Technology since the company’s inception in 2001. As a pivotal creative force, he is listed as lead inventor behind Volant’s various product lines, shaping the company’s technological vision and success.
Mr. Slack continues to provide guidance for Volant’s R&D and product development efforts, ensuring a steady focus on innovation and excellence. With his extensive expertise and deep understanding of Volant’s business, Mr. Slack continues to play a critical role in driving forward the company’s mission and delivering cutting-edge solutions to the industry.

Craig Hansen

Independent Director

Mr. Hansen is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of Canadian energy industry experience spanning technical, management, business and corporate matters. His public company board experience spans more than 25 years, including director roles with Journey Energy Inc., Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd., Lockerbie & Hole Inc. and Wittke Inc., along with five two-year terms on the Board of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).
Passionate about the Canadian energy sector, Mr. Hansen brings decades of governance, capital markets and industry insight to Volant's Advisory Board. He also authors the Canadian Energy Market Reflections newsletter, sharing his perspective on oil and gas market trends, and currently supports Wealthera Inc.'s Energy mandate as an advisor.