Team List

Paul is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Axxcelus Capital Advisory. With an extensive background in investment banking and capital markets, Paul has been a principal in over $2.0 billion in transactions in energy, construction, financial services, and hospitality over his 35-year career. Paul's career highlights include building and successfully selling two upstream oil and gas companies, being a founding partner of a mid-market mezzanine fund, and co-founding Canada’s first national equity-based shared ownership real-estate company. Most recently, he served as CEO of Backwoods Energy Services, a company 100% owned by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. Under his leadership, Backwoods achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 111%, transforming it into one of the largest Indigenous-owned companies in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $200 million. During his tenure, economic benefits to the Alexis Nation grew by 614% and employment of its members increased by 235%. In 2020, Paul was a primary architect in structuring, negotiating, and financing the first AIOC transaction that saw six First Nations acquire a significant ownership position in the $1.5 billion Cascade Power Project. Paul believes in the restorative power of capitalism to maximize value to all stakeholders and rights holders. He speaks frequently on issues of responsible energy, Indigenous business, and purpose, and is regularly featured in national media outlets such as The Globe and Mail, the National Post, BNN Bloomberg, and the CBC

Ryan McQuilter is a Western Canadian authority on Indigenous economic development and consultation, with 20 years spent working directly with Indigenous communities. He advises both industry and Indigenous communities on finding paths forward for mutual benefit, drawing on broad experience across hospitality, gaming, retail, infrastructure, industrial development, tourism, and construction. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta with a major in Finance and a minor in Business Law. He is a subject matter expert on land tenure requirements under the Indian Act and has acted to structure and securitize over $250 million of development on First Nation reserves within Alberta. He has served multiple terms as co-Chair of the Alberta Region Lands Economic Development Committee and participates in governmental Indigenous Roundtable initiatives. Ryan previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Backwoods Energy Services, a company owned by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. During his tenure, he was fundamental to the growth of the business, which saw revenue grow from $8 million to over $200 million in five years. In 2020, he was a lead participant in structuring the six First Nations' equity stake in the $1.5 billion Cascade Power Project.

Tannor Kocis is an accomplished energy-sector professional with extensive expertise in Indigenous relations, procurement strategy, economic partnerships, and major energy infrastructure project execution across Western Canada. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Calgary, Tannor is deeply committed to advancing economic inclusion for Indigenous businesses and communities. With over a decade of progressive experience at TC Energy, he combines technical knowledge with strategic leadership and relationship-driven execution. Throughout his career, he has earned a strong reputation for fostering meaningful Indigenous participation in large-scale infrastructure projects. His previous roles focused on enterprise-wide initiatives to enhance local and Indigenous economic inclusion while ensuring successful project execution that generates strong external advocacy. His work demonstrates his commitment to expanding Indigenous involvement through strategic equity ownership opportunities, and both the development and execution of contracting and employment strategies. Tannor is recognized for his strong communication skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to build trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities, project teams, and senior leadership. He consistently delivers innovative solutions in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, championing collaborative and economically impactful approaches for energy development in Western Canada. Tannor resides in Airdrie, Alberta with his partner and four young children, and is a proud member of the Hollow Water First Nations in Manitoba.

Chief Tony Alexis is a recognized team builder, strategist, and innovative leader who has served as Chief of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation since 2013. His leadership brings together modern governance and Nation development with the teachings and values passed down from community knowledge keepers. He completed the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD- Rotman) program to strengthen his governance knowledge and contribute his experience to board work across business, energy, and public sectors. Known for clear decision-making and disciplined leadership, Chief Tony brings deep experience in negotiation, governance oversight, and strategic planning. His tenure as Grand Chief of Treaty Six, representing 17 First Nations and nearly 80,000 people, further demonstrates his ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder relationships and advance collective interests. Chief Tony has been central facilitating many discussions in high-stakes settings, organizing teams toward shared goals. He brings decades of leadership experience that connects policy, finance, and people. His advisory work at Axxcelus reflects his commitment to advancing Indigenous Community economic participation through ownership strategic partnership development.

Chase Morin is the CEO of Enoch Development Holdings Ltd. and River Cree Enterprises Corporation, which are the parent companies for all Enoch Cree Nation for-profit corporate entities. In addition to this, Chase currently serves as a member of the Enoch Cree Nation’s Finance and Audit Committee, providing the Committee with regular financial information on all the Nation’s corporate entities. Prior to 2018, Chase was employed as the Chief of Staff to Chief William (Billy) Morin of Enoch Cree Nation. As the Chief of Staff, Chase’s primary role was to provide high-level advice and recommendations to the Chief, Council, and Executive Staff on a wide variety of issues, decisions, departments/programs, and initiatives for Enoch Cree Nation. Chase currently serves as the Treasurer for the Enoch Cree Hockey Association (the Nation’s non-profit minor hockey association).