Equity Research Team
Dana Benner, CFA
Managing Director, Institutional Equity Research
Oilfield Services
Prior to joining AltaCorp, Mr. Benner was Managing Director in Oilfield Services research at Stifel Nicolaus, formerly Thomas Weisel Partners and Westwind Partners, covering a large universe of Canadian drilling and oilfield services companies. Prior to Thomas Weisel Partners’ acquisition of Westwind Partners in 2008, he was responsible for opening Westwind’s Calgary office in 2004. Mr. Benner’s previous experience also includes working as a senior research analyst at RBC Dominion Securities and National Bank Financial (1995 – 2003). Mr. Benner began his career in investment research in 1992 as a research associate. He holds an Honors BA degree, with majors in Economics and English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was a visiting student at Oxford University. Mr. Benner also holds the CFA designation. Outside of business, Mr. Benner’s largest volunteer commitment is in coaching both boys and girls community hockey.
John Chu, CFA
Managing Director, Institutional Equity Research
Agri-Industry
Prior to joining AltaCorp, Mr Chu was Senior Vice President in Agriculture and Industrials Research for 8 years at Mackie Research Capital (previously Research Capital). Prior thereto, he spent 3 years in equity research at Scotia Capital, and prior to that at HSBC Securities. Mr. Chu holds a B.A. (Honours) in Economics from Queens University, an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, and holds the CFA designation.
Don Rawson
Managing Director, Institutional Equity Research
Junior and Mid-Cap Exploration & Production
Mr. Rawson was former Managing Director in Oil and Gas Research at Mackie Research Capital from 2009 to 2011, and prior to that, he spent 6 years at Tristone Capital, covering Canadian junior and intermediate E&P companies. Prior thereto, Mr. Rawson acted in a number of corporate development roles, most recently as a consultant to Fording Coal and senior roles in corporate development and planning at PanCanadian Petroleum. In 2011, he was recognized by Starmine as one of the top Canadian analysts for earnings estimators, ranking first in the Oil & Gas industry and third among all industries. Mr. Rawson holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Distinction from the University of Alberta, and an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Maxim Sytchev
Managing Director, Institutional Equity Research
Diversified Industries
Prior to joining AltaCorp, Mr. Sytchev was Vice-President with Northland Capital Partners from 2010 to 2011, covering Canadian engineering, construction, architecture and bulk commodity firms. Prior thereto, he has 5 years of experience as a Research Analyst at Genuity Capital Markets and in Equity Research at Desjardins Securities. Mr. Sytchev holds a Master of Science from University of Sherbrooke and a Double Major Undergraduate Degree in Finance and French Literature from Bishop’s University (Honors for both). Outside of business, Maxim contributes to the Christian Children's Fund of Canada charity and supports the alumni organization at Bishop’s University, sharing his experience in finance as well as being a part of welcoming delegates at the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, an internship established by WEF’s founder, Klaus Schwab, for Bishop’s students.
Jeremy McCrea, CFA
Analyst, Institutional Equity Research
Junior and Mid-Cap Exploration & Production
Prior to joining AltaCorp, Mr. McCrea was an Associate Analyst at National Bank Financial covering the Canadian E&P Trust market from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that, he began his career at J.F. Mackie and Company (Mackie Research) in investment banking. Mr. McCrea holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, and is a CFA charter holder.
Jason Sawatzky
Analyst, Institutional Equity Research
Oilfield Services
Prior to joining AltaCorp, Mr. Sawatzky was an Associate Analyst covering oilfield services at Stifel Nicolaus from 2009 to 2011. Prior thereto, he worked at Cormark Securities covering oilfield services and E&P companies for 4 years. Mr. Sawatzky holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Psychology from the University of Calgary.