Operations Team

  • Leonard B. Van Betuw

    B.Sc. Geophysics
    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.

  • Lars Glimhagen

    Chief Financial Officer (Interim)

    Mr. Glimhagen has over 35 years’ experience in accounting and finance positions including being the Senior Accountant at BC Rapid Transit, the former operating company of the Sky-Train Rapid Transit system in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. Lars has 25 years in the mineral exploration and the oil and gas sectors, serving in various senior management positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. Lars is also the founder of LNG Management Services Ltd., a software consulting service providing software sales and support for ADAGIO Accounting, developed by Softrak Systems Ltd. in Vancouver, BC. Since 2013, Lars has been the Chief Financial Officer at Avila Energy Corporation, previously known as Petro Viking Energy Inc. Subsequent to his resignation on November 7, 2022, Lars was appointed by the directors of Avila as the new Corporate Secretary, and on May 9, 2023, he was appointed as interim CFO.

  • Daniel Lucero

    B.Sc. Geology
    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.

  • Ryan Schnitzler

    Land Manager

    Mr. Schnitzler is the Manager of Land and Joint Venture at Avila Energy.  Prior to joining Avila, Ryan served in roles of increasing responsibility at Obsidian Energy, Lightstream Resources, ConocoPhillips Canada and Penn West Petroleum. He is a professional landman with over 15 years of experience in the Canadian oil and gas industry and graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree and is an active member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen.

  • Anna Atencio

    P. Eng.
    Production & Optimization

    An accomplished and enthusiastic Production Engineer with over 15 years Canadian and International experience, working with multidisciplinary teams to contribute to petroleum field development and prospect generation. Known for a strong ability to trouble shoot and optimize wells. A competitive, professional, with a broad range of experience at Shell Canada contributing to development of the Quest Carbon Sequestration, Peace River Thermal Recovery and Ground Birch Tight Shale Gas in addition to earlier experience at Apache Canada Limited., Haliburton Evaluations and Digital Solutions-Mexico and Precision Drilling - Mexico.

  • Carlos Rodriguez

    MBA. P. Eng.
    Processing & Design

    Mr. Rodriguez with a BSc. in Chemical Engineering in 2005 and Professional Designation with APEGA; as member of the Company brings an extensive range of experiences in Process Engineering.  Carlos is tasked daily with the design and implementation of the Company’s near-term facilities upgrades while keeping in mind the long term Vision for the Company for the integration of its operations to become a Carbon Neutral Energy Producer by 2025.  His broad range of experience of over 20 years includes working for most recently Gas Liquids Engineering Ltd (Canada), SBM Offshore-Gusto MSC. (The Netherlands), Jacobs B.V. (The Netherlands), Inelectra (Venezuela) to his earliest appointments at Baker Hughes – Petrolite, Cabimas, Venezuela and Shell Maracaibo, Venezuela

  • Dale Harrison

    General Manager and Integration

    Mr. Harrison with over 25 years of experience initially as Field Supervisor in Canada and Internationally in Cuba, since 2017 continues to be an instrumental part of Avila Energy’s driving efficiency into the daily operations where he is constantly is seeking to improve upon the costs of production and maintenance.   Mr. Harrison’s areas of expertise being broad ranging from his 20 years of experience in the Geophysical Service sector prior to crossing over to being appointed as asset manager, pipeline integrity and facilities management and maintenance at Quattro Exploration and Production Ltd in 2012.  In combination with the Company’s Engineers and 3 Senior Operators, Dale has been instrumental in the integrations of the HSE program and the implementation of the Company’s integrated real-time production reporting, cost controls and operational budgeting.   

  • Greg Doucette

    Production Accounting and Measurement

    Over 15 years of experience in the Oil & Natural Gas industry with strengths in energy reporting, production accounting, reporting, and processing.  Experienced in the integration and development of new areas of business. Extensive background in the completion of acquisitions and their successful integration.  These experiences derived from his employment at Long Run, Vesta Energy, Bellatrix and Penn West and the Alberta Energy Regulator. CAPPA Certificate, SAIT Polytechnic, 2007 B. Ed., University of New Brunswick (Dean’s List) 2001  Bachelor of Political Science, University of Prince Edward Island (Public Administration) 1997