Vancouver, British Columbia, January 16, 2014 - Avanti Energy Inc. (TSXV: AVN) ("the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. George J. Donnelly Samper to the board of directors of the Company.
Avanti President John McIntyre commented, "I am pleased to welcome George to the Avanti board. We believe that George's many years of experience in the international oil industry, deep personal and professional network in Brazil and Colombia make him particularly well-equipped to assist Avanti in executing its strategy in Latin America."
Mr. Donnelly began his career in the oil and gas industry at Texaco Inc. in 1962 and served in various roles at Texaco Inc. and at the Gulf Oil Company until 1988. At Texaco, Mr. Donnelly served in management roles in refining and marketing in Latin America. Mr. Donnelly then went on to a distinguished career at Gulf Oil, including serving as vice president of the Worldwide Energy and Minerals Division, vice president of the Latin American division, head of the Washington, D.C. office, management in Angola, and as General Manager in Costa Rica. Between 1988 and 2000, he served as vice chairman of Spencer Stuart Associates and vice president of Russell Reynolds Associates. Mr. Donnelly was also a founder of, and serves as Chairman of Global Suppliers, a U.S. firm that provides equipment to the petroleum and chemical industry.
Mr. Donnelly is a managing partner of Lilo Ventures, a venture capital firm with investments in Latin America. He also serves on the board of directors of Parker Drilling Company (NYSE:PKD), a global oilfield services company.
Mr. Donnelly's not-for-profit activities included serving as president and chief executive officer of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during 2005 and 2006 and as president of the San Jacinto Museum of History from 2000 to 2002. He has also served on the board of directors of the Greater Houston Partnership, including chairing its World Trade Division and the Partnership's International Aviation Committees, the Houston Committee on Foreign Relations, the United Way of Houston, and the Center for Houston's future. He presently serves on the boards of the Institute of International Education, KIPP charter schools, the Houston Health Museum, the International Committee of Texas A&M University, and the Advisory Council of Houston Baptist University's Business School.
Mr. Donnelly has been recognized for his distinguished service by receiving Presidential decorations from Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela. He was also the recipient of the Houston International Executive of the Year. Mr. Donnelly is a graduate of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and Columbia University's Advanced Management Program.
For more information please contact Karl Kottmeier, director, at 604 689 7422. Please visit our website at www.avantienergy.com.
"John F. McIntyre"
President, CEO
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