Founded with a Vision to Deliver Impact and Shareholder Value
The Auka Capital Team
Rob Cole
Chief Executive Officer
Rob is a season investment professional with over 20 years of experience within the capital markets and wealth management. As a portfolio manager and Family Enterprise Advisor, he consults on family and business wealth creation, transition within a strong governance framework.
Michael Kaiser
Chief Financial Officer
Michael is a CFA and CAIA designated investment professional. He is currently an associate at one of Canada's leading private equity firms with a focus on the lower mid-market in Canada and the U.S. Michael has been a part of many acquisition processes in a variety of different industries.
David Muddle
V.P. Strategic Initiatives
Dave has facilitated and contributed to dozens of engagements with senior management teams, boards, and associations, focused on strategy, business planning, stakeholder relations, and organizational development. He is certified in Prosci© © Change Management practices, Project Management for Public Sector Projects, and in the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) methodologies. He teaches Management Consulting and Strategic Management in the Public Sector as part of the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Business.
Frank Sur
Corporate Secretary
Frank is a partner with the law firm Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP. Frank assists both public and private companies in many different industries, including in technology, renewable and non-renewable energy, hydrogen and mining sectors. He helps his client’s achieve their corporate goals by finding pragmatic and creative solutions to legal issues, assisting with corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions and financings. Frank is a member of the Calgary Bar Association, Law Society of Alberta, Canadian Bar Association, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, American Bar Association, International Association of Korean Lawyers and Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea.
Jeff Lloyd
Director
Jeff has a deep understanding of M&A strategies having completed over 80 acquisitions for a leading international public company where he was involved in taking the firm onto the NYSE. Jeff is currently President of Almita where he is responsible for leading the strategic planning team and guiding the industry leading team of employees that make Almita the most respected geostructural company in North America.
Jay Baraniecki
Director
Jay serves as the Board Chair for UpRyze Cannabis Ltd., a fully licensed micro-cultivation and micro-processing cannabis company in Acheson, Alberta. He is also a utility executive with over 20 years of experience. Jay currently heads EPCOR Utilities Inc.’s Energy Services Division that primarily provides billing and customer care services to over 1 million utility connections as well as energy procurement for EPCOR’s regulated electricity customers.
Ralf Kaiser
Director
Ralf has been involved in the investment and financial industries for 30 years with a focus on capital raising, investment management, technology start-ups and the capital markets. He began his career in investment real estate with Colliers International specializing in the analysis and investment sales of retail centers and industrial properties. Ralf is currently a Managing Partner with the venture studio, Ingenia AI Inc., that maximizes entrepreneurial value through technology innovation.
