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Dario Gnoato P.Eng.
Chief Executive Officer
Backwoods Energy Services LP

Backwoods Energy Services Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer

Edmonton, Alberta — November 27, 2024 — Backwoods Energy Services LP (“Backwoods”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dario Gnoato P. Eng.  as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 2, 2024.

With 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Mr. Gnoato has demonstrated exceptional and proven organizational growth, profitability, and success throughout his career, holding increasingly significant roles with organizations such as Graham Infrastructure, Kiewit Corporation, Ellis Don Construction, Volker Stevin Highways and others. Most recently, Mr. Gnoato served as Senior Vice President of Major Projects—USA for Nicholson Construction. After his first year, he successfully led his division to become the most profitable within the organization, an achievement he has sustained in each subsequent year.

“We are confident that our current leadership team, complemented by the addition of the expertise and extensive knowledge of Mr. Gnoato in the construction industry on an international scale will serve to navigate the future with certainty and propel Backwoods to achieve new heights,” said Harvey Sheydwaser, Chairman of the Board.

“I am honoured to join Backwoods and lead such a talented and dedicated team and would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation for placing their confidence in me.” said Gnoato. “Together, we will continue to build on the foundation that has been established to drive growth, sustainability, and deliver value to our clients and stakeholders.”

We look forward to the exciting new chapter that Dario Gnoato will bring to Backwoods. Please join us in welcoming him and supporting his efforts to lead our company to continued success.

ABOUT BACKWOODS

Backwoods Energy Services, wholly owned by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, ranks among the largest Indigenous-owned companies in Canada. As a premier provider of access and matting solutions, civil construction, forestry, pipeline infrastructure, and security services in Western Canada, Backwoods Energy Services has successfully executed some of Alberta’s most significant midstream and utility projects. The company is steadfast in its commitment to driving economic opportunity by empowering Indigenous Peoples and communities.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, please visit contact:

Ashley Fontaine
Manager, Human Resources
Backwoods Energy Services LP
info@backwoodsenergy.ca
www.backwoodsenergy.ca

Backwoods Energy Services
#200, 1603 91 Street SW
Edmonton, AB T6X OW8

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Andrew Gibson, Vice President of Operations at Backwoods Energy Services, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “The synergy between our companies is evident in our shared values and vision. We are confident that this partnership will not only expand our service capabilities but also create significant opportunities for community development.”

The partnership is poised to strengthen the capacity of both organizations through the creation of employment opportunities, training programs, and revenue streams that directly contribute to community initiatives. This collaboration between two Indigenous companies is a significant step towards our goal of ‘Driving economic opportunity by empowering Indigenous people & communities.’

About Backwoods Energy Services

Backwoods Energy Services is one of the largest and most sophisticated Indigenous owned contractors in Western Canada. Backwoods is wholly owned by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and is guided by its Mission: Driving Economic Opportunity by Empowering Indigenous People and Communities, which they accomplish though their security, access matting, forestry, civil, environmental, and industrial construction services.

www.backwoodsenergy.ca

About Kihew Fabco

At Kihew FabCo, we take pride in the fact that we are a 100% Indigenous-owned and operated company, fueled by a robust entrepreneurial drive. Our mission is centered around creating opportunities and cultivating prosperous futures for our communities through impactful partnerships. Kihew FabCo is dedicated to advancing the well-being of First Nation members by promoting self-sufficiency, ensuring financial stability, and fostering long-term economic success. Our leading steel fabrication training center in Canada welcomes individuals eager to learn and passionate about trades, embodying our commitment to empowerment through education.

As specialists in mechanical construction and structural steel manufacturing, Kihew FabCo provides an extensive array of services tailored to meet our clients’ diverse requirements. From Virtual Reality Capture and 3D Laser Scanning to Engineering Design and Prototype Development, our team is committed to delivering high-quality solutions. We also excel in Contract Manufacturing, Steel and Piping Fabrication, Carbon Steel Pipe Manufacturing, and the Decommissioning of retired facilities and assets. Moreover, our offerings encompass Assembly, Project Management, Plasma Cutting, and state-of-the-art Robotic Welding Technology.

www.kihew.com

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About Backwoods Energy Services

About Sterling Crane

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In its ongoing efforts to help build a vibrant downtown and support downtown businesses, the Edmonton Downtown Business Association announces the official launch of their Edmonton Downtown Night Patrol, a new initiative that aims to improve nighttime safety and support other public safety efforts through data collection. Operating seven days a week from 12:30am to 8:30am, two Night Patrol vehicles comprised of a security professional from Backwoods Security and a peer support worker from Hiregood are conducting continuous mobile patrols of downtown streets, alleys, and public spaces. The first-year pilot phase of the initiative is being funded by the City of Edmonton under the Downtown Vibrancy Fund.

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Our team sprang into action, utilizing their forestry expertise to construct fireguards and protect nearby homes, as well as various oil and gas pipelines in the area. As the fire drew closer to the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation’s lands, Backwoods dispatched additional equipment to aid in the fire suppression efforts for the Lessard Lake Fire in Lac Ste Anne County, which borders the Alexis lands. The availability of this equipment was crucial in preventing the spread of the fire into the nation’s territory.

Mark Fox, COO and Acting CEO of Backwoods Energy Services says, “We take immense pride of our Alexis ownership and equally proud of our employees who have selflessly dedicated countless hours in the past few days to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Thanks to our prompt response and the dedication of our team, we continue to play a crucial role in helping to combat these devastating fires.

For more information about Alberta Wildfires, please view the interactive map on the Government of Alberta website.

Media Contact for Backwoods Energy Services:
Marketing Department
marketing@backwoodsenergy.ca

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• 94 Calls to Action published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• Cultural genocide, as determined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• 25 residential schools, residential school research and recognition in Alberta; the effects of residential schools are real and deserve recognition and support –

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Willow Lake Métis Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, September 7, 2022 – Willow Lake Métis Group (WLMG), an Alberta-based group of strategic Indigenous industry partners created to explore partnerships and business ventures on behalf of the Willow Lake Métis Nation, and Backwoods Energy Services, one of Western Canada’s largest and most sophisticated Indigenous-owned contractors, have entered into an unprecedented Limited Partnership Agreement. The partnership aims to economically advance their respective communities and was founded on a shared sense of purpose, value alignment, and the desire to build a bridge between reconciliation and community prosperity.

The agreement is unique in that it marks the first time a Métis Nation and First Nation have forged a formal partnership. The Traditional Territories of both independent communities have been significantly impacted by oil and gas development. As a result of this socio-economic agreement, capacity for both communities will be strengthened through employment, training, and revenue opportunities that directly support community development initiatives.

“This agreement formalizes a strong relationship that strengthens the bonds between two Indigenous Nations and our businesses and is based on mutual understanding and respect,” says Justin Bourque, president of Willow Lake Métis Group. “Willow Lake is excited to continue building this partnership on a solid foundation supported by shared values and principles.”

The two communities have been engaged in an ongoing informal partnership that has been guided by trust, transparency and communication, fairness, project management, capacity building and employment, and project performance. Throughout that period, the communities discovered value and directional alignment, which spurred the evolution of the formalized agreement.

Mike Heck, CEO of Backwoods Energy Services is also excited about the partnership and says, “We have been working with Willow Lake for almost two years and have come to understand that we share many of the same values. We want to advance our respective communities through economic development and in a way that is professional and responsive to the needs of our clients.”

The unprecedented agreement’s benefits extend well beyond the borders of each Nation’s community. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 92 – Business and Reconciliation calls upon the corporate sector to ensure Indigenous people have equitable access to jobs, training, and education, and that Indigenous communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects. This partnership agreement serves as an opportunity to advance reconciliation with Indigenous communities by empowering communities through economic participation.

In a show of support for their newest partner, Backwoods has graciously stepped up to the tee as the title sponsor for WLMG’s first-ever Cultural Cup golf tournament in Fort McMurray on September 8, which precedes Willow Lake Métis Nation’s (WLMN) Annual Métis Fest on September 10. Proceeds from the tournament will support educational and programming initiatives for WLMN citizens.

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About Willow Lake Métis Group

The Willow Lake Métis Group (WLMG) was founded, and is operated, through the strong willed, hardworking, and self-sufficient culture of the Métis people. They were established to create and explore partnerships and business ventures on behalf of the Willow Lake Métis Nation and have a mandate to bridge reconciliation and community prosperity. They have built a new perspective on partnership – in a time when it is needed most.

WLMG is proud to have established strong relationships with top-tier companies that have facilitated their growth into a strategic Indigenous industry partner. Working with these partners allows WLMG to provide full-service expertise for large scale projects, including maintenance, security, civil work, turnarounds, and servicing of facilities. In doing so, they continue to build internal capacity and strengthen their mandate. WLMG provides quality services and forges strong partnerships with major industry players in Northern Alberta.

For more information, visit www.wlmn.ca/willowlakemetisgroup.

Media Contact for Willow Lake Métis Group:

Peter Pilarski
President, CIPR Communications
403-462-1160
peter@ciprcommunications.com

About Backwoods Energy Services

Backwoods Energy Services is one of the largest and most sophisticated Indigenous owned contractors in Western Canada. Backwoods is wholly owned by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and is guided by its Mission: Driving Economic Opportunity by Empowering Indigenous People and Communities, which they accomplish though their security, access matting, forestry, civil, environmental, and mechanical construction services. With more than 800 employees and annual revenues exceeding $200 million, they are the largest employer of members from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. Backwoods also represents the largest independent source of income to the community, substantially aiding to the Nation’s goal of self-sustainability.

For more information, visit http://www.backwoodsenergy.ca/

Media Contact for Backwoods Energy Services:

Crystal Dallner
Marketing Manager, Backwoods Energy Services
1.587.880.2937
cdallner@backwoodsenergy.ca

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