Executive Team

  • Leonard B. Van Betuw

    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Mr. Van Betuw was awarded a BSc (Hon.) Degree in Geophysics in 1987 becoming recognized for his expertise in the area of design and delivery of services formed from a comprehensive suite of geophysical experiences developed over 25 years as a manager, executive, and Geophysicist.

    Early in Leonard’s career, he spent most of his time abroad for various companies from 1998 to 1992.  This is where Mr. Van Betuw began forming of what will become his managerial skill sets. During these years, Mr. Van Betuw held various contract positions and consulting roles including Geophysicist for Can-Oxy in Yemen, Operations Supervision for Veritas Geophysical and Operations Manager in Canada and Venezuela with Western Atlas International. Between 1998 and 2006, Kintex Inc. was formed as a private company where Leonard acted as President.  In 2006, the company was acquired and went public as Kintex Resources Corporation where Mr. Van Betuw became President until 2010.

    Mr. Van Betuw consulted as an advisor with Life Sciences Institute from 2006 until 2011 when the company changed its name to Quattro Exploration and Production Ltd/. a TSX listed Junior Oil and Gas Company.  In 2011, he was appointed President and CEO until 2017.

    In February, 2017, Leonard Van Betuw became President and CEO of Avila Exploration and Development Canada Ltd.

  • Daniel Lucero

    VP and Resource Manager

    Mr. Daniel Lucero More than 15 years’ experience in resource exploration in Latin America and the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, as Exploration Manager at Quattro Exploration and Production Ltd., for 6 years, WCSB and Latin America Chief Geoscientist at Kintex Geosciences Exploration, Geologist at CoalCorp Mining and Andicoal. Daniel graduated in 2004 from the National University of Colombia (Bogota-Colombia) with BSc in Geology.

  • Jennifer Ottosen

    CPA
    Chief Financial Officer

    Ms. Ottosen as Chief Financial Officer (initially as a consultant for the Company in 2020), brings to Avila over 10 years of experience in Financial Reporting and Analysis, Cost and Project Accounting, Performance Management, Variance Analysis, Internal Controls, Asset Management, Tax Filings, Budgets and Forecasting in the engineering, safety compliance and construction industries.

    Over the course of her career, Ms. Ottosen has advised as a consultant and held various roles in accounting, focused on billing, project management and financial reporting, working for Enbridge Inc., Finning Canada,The Inspections Group Inc., SEKO Construction, Ledcor Fabrication and Stantec Engineering.

  • Peter Nesveda

    VP Corporate Affairs, and Investor Relations

    Mr. Nesveda brings over 30 years plus of international investor relations and corporate affairs experience having worked with over 120 public and private companies in Australia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, South Africa, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. 

    Peter Nesveda brings together a significant number of global contacts in the public and private sectors and has assisted in founding and forming companies by way of strategic and cornerstone introductions. He brings all of his skill set to work including messaging in support of emerging companies e.g., investor relations, corporate affairs, introducing funders and financiers, helping build management teams and boards of directors.

  • Michel Lebeuf, Jr.

    Corporate Secretary

    Member of the Quebec Bar Association, Partner of Dunton Rainville LLP, Mr. Lebeuf has an expertise in securities, particularly in the institutional and corporate financing, and public and private mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Lebeuf represents public companies, securities brokers, buyers, sellers, bankers, and financial advisors. He provides strategic advice on access to public capital markets, securities, and structured products. Over the past years, Michel Lebeuf has worked for many mining projects in Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Angola and Republic of Congo) and his services are regularly used by mining developers, mining companies, and investment banking companies eager to develop mining projects in these countries.

  • Nikolas Perrault

    CFA
    Special Advisor to the Board

    With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Perrault for Twilight Capital and his capital market advisory Consulting firm based in Montreal, brings a broad range of experience and support to Avila Energy.  Nikolas’ primary focus in the natural resources sector with a broad international network of strategic relationships worldwide brings a fresh set of ideas and perspectives that are complimentary to the Company’s Executive and Board of Directors.

    Nikolas and Twilight Capital are on a constant quest for opportunities to connect entrepreneurs internationally and to assist public and private companies in their overall capital market strategy. Nikolas Perrault and others at the firm have significant experience in going-public transactions, capital markets, spin-offs, mergers, and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other matters related to those fields.

    Previously, Mr. Perrault served as an investment executive with some of Canada's largest institutions. These include National Bank, Merrill-Lynch, CIBC, and Scotia Capital. Nikolas Perrault graduated from Concordia University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He then went on to receive his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1997. His professional knowledge is vast and includes experience in securities trading, human resources management and financial analysis.

    Nikolas was born in Rwanda and has spent decades traveling the world. His travel has instilled in him a passion for learning about different cultures and helping to bridge the gaps between them.