Values, Vision & Mission

Management

The Management Team

Ivan Velev

Chairman of the Board

With over 29 years of experience as an oil and gas engineering professional, Ivan has been instrumental in developing IMV Projects from a handful of individuals in the late 1990s into a multi-discipline EPCM firm participating in projects in both hemispheres of the globe.

Ivan's direction has enabled IMV Projects to withstand sustained market pressures and preserve IMV Projects' market share in the facilities and pipeline EPCM industry sectors. As President, Ivan is responsible for strategic planning in the energy industry marketplace and developing IMV Projects' internal resources to meet corporate objectives.

As time allows Ivan enjoys switching hats to that of ship's captain and bringing on a crew of family and friends for adventures at sea.

Ivan holds an Engineering Degree from the University of Sofia in Bulgaria. His industry memberships include the CHOA and associations in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the North West Territories for professional engineers and geoscientists.

Kevin O'Brien

President

From snowboard to boardroom, Kevin navigates his way with enthusiasm and focus. Kevin joined IMV Projects in 2001 and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our mission to be Canada's go-to project execution provider for the energy industry. Kevin succeeds our founder, Ivan Velev, P.Eng., who continues to serve the company as Chairman of the Board. Kevin is responsible and accountable for all corporate decisions.

Kevin has contributed to the success and growth of IMV Projects by providing leadership, promoting a feeling of community, and taking on initiatives that promote more efficiency in project execution for our clients. His previous roles include: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Manager - Civil/Structural Engineering and Design and Project Manager.

For recreation, if there is snow, Kevin is on it, as an avid snowboarder. In fair weather, you'll find him working his handicap on the links. Kevin is married to Joanna, and together they enjoy travelling and many outdoor sports, and they love to get away to their second home in Fernie, B.C.

Kevin is originally from Montreal, Quebec, and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree (Civil Engineering) from Queen's University. Professional memberships include the Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA), the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) and The Canadian Oilmen’s Executive Association.

Kurt Kennedy

Vice President Corporate Services & HSE

"From day one, I've never heard anyone at IMV Projects say 'We don't do that.' Anything is possible with a group of people with the right attitude."

With over 25 years of professional oil and gas experience in the fields of heavy oil and natural gas facility engineering, and arctic/frontier offshore engineering, Kurt brings a valued depth of experience to his position as Vice President of Corporate Services and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE).

The Corporate Services and Health Safety & Environment Group includes Human Resources, Legal Affairs and Risk Management, Office Facilities and Administration, Health, Safety & Environment, Business Solutions and Services, IT, and Corporate Communications. The Group provides services to all areas of IMV Projects' business and interfaces regularly with our Wood Group counterparts.

While at IMV Projects Kurt has had the opportunity to work in a wide range of areas, from cost estimating on large heavy-oil-capital projects, to ice engineering on Beaufort Sea offshore development studies, to business development activities in Kazakhstan and Russia. Industry experience has also developed his strong understanding of the upstream oil and gas value chain, including stage-gated project management systems, cost estimating, scheduling, risk analysis and Joint Venture (JV) issues.

Kurt holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree (Civil Engineering) and a Master of Science degree (Ocean Engineering) from Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, and has memberships to the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA), and the Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA).

Dean Milner

Vice President Business Development

Dean joined IMV Projects in 2002, bringing 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry with proven success in the areas of business management, marketing, business development, new product development, sales, and the management of large sales forces.

As Vice President of Business Development, Dean looks after new client development, manages the sales section of the Business Development team, and assumes the client Relationship Manager role for most of our clients.

Dean has been involved with all of IMV Projects' clients at various times in their growth cycle. Current activities focus on the client Relationship Management role whereby client objectives are paramount to the ongoing success of both organizations.

He has been a past President and/or Executive Board Member of the Canadian Gas Processors Suppliers Association, the Gas Processors Association Canada, and the Canadian Heavy Oil Association.

In his spare time Dean enjoys golfing, snooker, and taking his best buddy Thor to table tennis events.

Tom Fransham

Vice President Engineering & Design
Vice President Quality Assurance

Tom joined IMV Projects in 2006 as the Director of Project Services. Leading his team to develop systems that help ensure consistent and predictable project outcomes, Tom put processes in place which allow teams to continually improve project execution by building on the experience of previous projects.

Tom's innovations led to increased opportunities and responsibilities - in the form of two hats. As Vice President of Engineering and Design, he is responsible for the coordination and operations of all Engineering and Design groups. As Vice President of Quality Assurance, he is responsible for the project execution and design systems we use to fulfill our client's projects.

When the company hats are off, Tom enjoys outdoor athletics and delights in his role as a dad. As an active member of the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC), he occasionally finds himself atop a mountain pondering the why of such an undertaking. He also enjoys jogging or biking to work, particularly during gridlock.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree (Mechanical Engineering) from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Calgary. His professional memberships include: the Wood Group Engineering Excellence Program Team, APEGGA, APEGS, and APEGM.

Gunter Lehnert-Thiel

Vice President Operations

As Vice President of Operations and Director of Projects Gunter is responsible for all project managers and associated project execution. In addition to the day to day objectives associated with project execution, he oversees corporate project reviews, the standardization of project execution documents and reports, and the refinement of project execution processes.

His more than 20 years of industry experience with exploration and production companies, and EPCM companies, includes onsite construction experience, over 10 years of project management experience, and 5 years as a senior project manager for IMV Projects on the Shell Orion project. Other significant projects include the completion of thermal heavy oil facility projects for Amoco, CNRL, Husky and Suncor.

Truly a man of the outdoors Gunter enjoys hobby farming, woodworking, timber frame construction, hunting, and vegetable gardening.

Gunter holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lakehead University Thunder Bay, Ontario and a Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma from SIAST Kelsey Campus Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Professional memberships include APEGGA and APEGS.

Scott Hennenfent

Vice President Finance & Accounting

To his role as Vice President of Finance and Accounting Scott brings 18 years of experience in the oil and gas service industry. While responsible for the accounting and finance of IMV Projects, its subsidiaries and joint ventures, he also reports financial results to Wood Group, IMV Projects' parent company.

Prior to coming on board with IMV Projects in 2008, Scott was the corporate controller for Trinidad Drilling Income Trust and Xtreme Coil Drilling, both listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange).

In off hours Scott enjoys travelling, hiking and skiing - while trying to convince Kevin (our VP) that two skinny boards are better than one fat one on the slopes.

Scott has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University and articled at Deloitte and Touche for his Chartered Accountant designation. He is a member of the ICAA (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta).

Ken Davis

Vice President Business Affiliates

Ken Davis joined IMV Projects in 2001 as a Project Manager. Bringing "results-oriented" project management and 17 years of industry experience, including 13 years in various oil and gas sectors, Ken has successfully managed a diverse portfolio of large capital projects.

As Vice President of Business Affiliates, Ken is responsible for managing all of IMV Projects' corporate collaborations. VP of Business Affiliates is the point-person for communication, alignment, and cooperation between IMV Projects and Wood Group companies. IMV Project's implementation of WorkShare with other Wood Group engineering offices also falls under the direction of the VP of Business Affiliates.

Ken's experience includes an extensive focus on thermal-heavy-oil projects, as well as plant expansion design and construction. Partnering with other companies has played a large role in helping IMV Projects meet our clients' needs, and Ken is an integral part of our continued growth as we expand and look for more opportunities to create new relationships and connections.

Outside of the office, Ken's hobbies range from old cars to dirt bikes; if it creates power it's probably part of Ken portfolio of hobbies. In the winter, his preferred location is the ski resort.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Mechanical Engineering) from Lakehead University, and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA), and the Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA).