Our Team

Shannon Ward, P.Geo.- President & CEO, Director

Shannon Ward is a senior geoscience leader with 22 years of experience driving resource identification, de-risking, and development across Western Canada, including 12 years in the Williston Basin and over 200 wells executed. She brings deep technical expertise in reservoir evaluation, multilateral well design, full-formation mapping, and integrated field development, consistently translating subsurface insight into scalable, repeatable drilling opportunities. Shannon has a proven track record of creating material value—adding high-impact drilling inventory, expanding land positions, and increasing reserves through disciplined, data-driven decision making. Her leadership across multi-hundred-million-dollar capital programs and successful play development establishes a strong foundation for Savage Exploration’s growth strategy and long-term investor returns.

Glenn Gradeen, P.Eng., ICD.D, Director

Glenn Gradeen brings a wealth of leadership and executive oil industry experience combining technical knowledge with business acumen and leadership abilities that enable rapid creation of shareholder value.  His business focus is on sustainability, team, quality operations  and good governance grounded in technical excellence, strong risk management principles and a commitment to ethical business practices. Glenn has led executive teams for both publicly traded and private energy companies for over 30 years and currently helps teams as a Board member for Taggart Oil Corp and NeeStaNan Corporation. Glenn received his ICD.D director’s designation in 2017 and has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geological Engineering with honours from the University of Windsor.

Greg Ward - Director

Greg Ward is a veteran drilling and operations leader with more than four decades of experience across Western Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. Rising from roughneck to industry pioneer, he has built a reputation as an innovator and entrepreneur in advancing drilling technology while delivering disciplined execution at scale. As the founder of multiple successful oilfield service companies, he has consistently built, scaled, and exited businesses that generated significant shareholder value. Beyond drilling, Greg brings a strong producer’s mindset—aligning capital allocation, operational efficiency, and long-term asset development to maximize returns. His leadership provides Savage Exploration with the strategic direction and operational strength required to build a sustainable, high-performing company.

Todd Savage, B.Comm. - Director

Todd Savage has over 20 years of experience as a commercial and operational leader, with deep expertise across drilling rigs, oilfield services, and entrepreneurial business development. He has a proven track record of scaling organizations, expanding market presence, and creating value through strategic planning, disciplined execution, and strong leadership. Todd brings an extensive industry network spanning operators, drilling contractors, service companies, and capital providers—enabling efficient partnership development and market access. His ability to align commercial strategy with operational execution supports effective capital deployment, cost control, and program delivery. Todd’s leadership provides Savage Exploration with the structure, discipline, and strategic direction required to build a sustainable, high-performing producing company and deliver consistent investor returns.

Rob Verbuck – Corporate Secretary, Director

Rob Verbuck is a partner and former managing partner at DS Lawyers Canada LLP, specializing in corporate and securities law with a focus on startup companies, capital market activities, and corporate governance. He has extensive experience guiding companies through complex regulatory frameworks, financing, and governance structures.

Rob also serves as founder and director of multiple organizations across real estate, agriculture, automotive, and energy sectors. He currently chairs the board of a private multi-billion-dollar multifamily asset manager, demonstrating his strong leadership in corporate oversight and strategic governance.

Joanne Rawlinson, CPA - CFO

Joanne Rawlinson is a seasoned Chartered Professional Accountant with over two decades of financial leadership in the oil and gas sector. She has managed finance functions across both public and private companies, providing oversight for corporate accounting, forecasting, compliance, and regulatory reporting.

She brings extensive expertise in financial governance, strategic planning, risk management, and regulatory adherence, ensuring robust fiscal health and transparent operations. Her experience spans complex domestic and international operations, equipping the company with strong financial controls and strategic capital management capabilities.