Fortuna has assembled a balanced team with particular expertise in Latin American mining, exploration, geology and finance.
Jorge A. Ganoza Durant, Geological Engineer
President, CEO and Director
Mr. Jorge Ganoza Durant is a geological engineer with over 16 years experience in exploration, mining and business development throughout Latin America. Jorge graduated from the New Mexico Institute of Mining in 1994. He is a fourth generation miner from a Peruvian family that has owned and operated several underground gold, silver, and base metal mines. His professional experience is vast and varied- before Fortuna he was involved in business development at senior levels for several private and public Canadian junior mining companies working in Central and South America. Jorge's experience extends through various countries including Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Peru, and Colombia.
Thomas I. Vehrs, Ph.D.
Vice President of Exploration
Over the past thirty-five years, Dr. Thomas Vehrs has built a successful career in mineral exploration and mine development. During this time, he has consulted for and/or held senior positions with Gold Fields, Cyprus-Amax, Western States Minerals and Anaconda Minerals, as well as being a founder, President and COO of Aquest Minerals Corp. Since 1980, Tom has worked extensively in Latin America, developing and managing exploration programs in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Argentina, Mexico and Central America with emphasis on epithermal and porphyry-related mineralized systems. Dr. Vehrs is a Founding Registered Member of The Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME Member Number 3323430RM), a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and a Member of The Geological Society of America. Tom also serves as an independent director for AQM Copper Inc.
Luis Dario Ganoza Durant, B. Sc. Engineering, MBA, M. Sc.
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Luis Ganoza Durant has extensive experience in the financial management of mining companies, most recently as Controller for one of Peru's largest public mining companies. Luis has a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria in Peru, an MBA from ESAN, a Tier 1 Latin American Business School, and an M.Sc. in Accounting and Finance from The London School of Economics.
Manuel Ruiz-Conejo Carlos, B. Sc. Engineering
Vice President of Operations
Mr. Manuel Ruiz-Conejo is a mining engineer graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria in Lima, Peru. He has more than 25 years in the mining industry and has worked for the most prolific polymetallic mines and mine contractors in Peru. As an engineer, he participated in the implementation and execution of critical projects. As an executive, he devised and supervised the execution of several multimillion dollar mining projects. In 2005, he became Chief Operating Manger of Minera Atacocha. Manuel also holds an Executive Mangement Program from the Universidad de Piura in Peru. Amongst his different areas of expertise, he has vast experience in community relations.
César Pera Caceres
Vice President of Human and Organizational Development
Mr. César Pera Caceres is a organizational psychologist with a masters degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Madrid. Cesar has over 25 years experience in organizational development and change in Latin American companies. He has served as president of the Peruvian Association of Human Resources (APERHU) and also as Vice President of the Interamerican Federation of Human Management (FIDAGH) for the Andean region. Cesar is currently director of the masters degree program in Organizational Development and People Management at the Universidad del Pacifico in Peru.
