Our Leadership

Dave has served in this role since 2015 and leads the SSi Artificial Lift Company. Prior to joining SSi, he worked with Lufkin Industries running their Eastern Hemisphere based out of Cairo, Egypt. Dave was also involved in setting up their manufacturing plant in Romania during this time. Dave was responsible for facilities in Egypt, Oman, and Romania. Prior to joining Lufkin Industries, he was the Vice President for Cameron Subsea Systems based out of London responsible for EPC Projects in the North Sea, West Africa, Brazil, Gulf of Mexico, North Africa, and Australia, utilizing local content and manufacturing facilities in each region. During his tenure at Cameron, he worked as a Global Subsea Product Manager, Regional Sales Manager running Business Units in various regions in the world located in Scotland, England, USA, and Norway.

He is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Nina Nikolic is the Vice President of Finance at SSi Artificial Lift Systems. Since joining the company in 2015, Nina has overseen the development and execution of SSi’s financial strategy, playing a pivotal role in supporting operational excellence, innovation, and long-term growth. With over 25 years of experience in financial leadership within the energy industry, Nina brings a strong track record of aligning financial management with corporate objectives. Her expertise spans corporate finance, strategic planning, financial reporting, budgeting, and risk management. 

Prior to her tenure at SSi, Nina held progressively senior roles in finance across the oil and gas sector, where she established a reputation for driving efficiency and building strong finance teams in complex, performance-driven environments.

She is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Jose joined SSi in 2017 after graduating from the University of Calgary where he studied Oil and Gas Engineering. At SSi, he runs well designs using both SROD and Rodstar to ensure that clients are receiving the equipment that best applies to their well conditions and production expectations. He also helps clients in post delivery activities such as the remote monitoring of units via SCADA whether it is on the client’s server or on SSi’s own. Additionally, Jose assists clients with suggested unit operating parameters based on both current well measurements and the expected numbers from the initial well design.

He is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Shola currently leads SSi’s supply chain strategy, ensuring alignment with operational goals and long-term business growth. With a decade of progressive experience in supply chain management—including international experience, Shola brings expertise in end-to-end supply chain strategy, vendor management, and procurement.

In her role, Shola collaborates closely with vendors and internal stakeholders to drive supply chain performance, focusing on cost control, lead times, and risk mitigation. She plays a pivotal role in supporting cross-functional initiatives focused on process optimization and supplier development, while also championing HSE initiatives.

She is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Darryl has been with SSI since 2015 and has served in different roles within the organization.  Prior to starting with SSi Artificial lift, he started his career as a Millwright within the energy sector for approximately 10 years prior to moving into a management role. On the path to his current position, he was moved into a General Manager as well as a Technical Sales Manager in those businesses.

Darryl has always taken pride in being a contributing factor in the western Canadian Oil Field market, specifically in manufacturing, repairing or designing of Oil Field equipment. SSi asked Darryl to manage our in-house assembly and testing in 2015 using Kaizen and 5S principles for our scheduling and ISO 9001 for our Quality Management Systems. SSi has consistently grown over these years and he is now the Vice President of Manufacturing and Inventory Control.  

He is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Michael has served in this role since 2018 and leads our Engineering, Quality as well as the R&D efforts in SSi. SSi has had one additional patent for the use of our new Smart Speed Logic that automatically controls the optimization of our units working in the field. Prior to joining SSi, he worked with Zedi, leading their Engineering and R&D projects. 

Michael had previously worked on NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) projects at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) to develop a hand exoskeleton to facilitate astronauts Extra Vehicular Activities (EVAs) outside the International Space Station (ISS).  He participated in many other R&D projects like interpreting human brain commands to move fingers using EMG signals and converting these commands to hand exoskeleton movement. He has worked as a lead for various EPC Projects in the Oil and Gas industry.

He is located in Houston, Texas

Steven has been with SSi Lift since 2013, working his way from field service, through international business development and now into his executive role with operations.  His day-to-day activities include management of the technical services teams, running and operating our US Field Locations. supporting customer and BD teams as well as running our Smart Lift Academy.  

During his time with SSi Lift Steven has been involved in global expansion supporting operations in Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Egypt, USA and now the newest venture into Australia.  Steven has been involved in the Smart Lift Academy since its inception in 2020 helping customers implement SSi Lift Technology into their artificial lift strategies and facilitating R&D through customer feedback. Prior to joining SSi, Steven served in the Royal Canadian Airforce as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer concluding his career on F18 fighter aircraft in Cold Lake Alberta.

He is located in Midland, Texas.

With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the oil and gas sector, Alan Gower is a seasoned Business Development Manager who combines a strong sales orientation with a commitment to exceptional customer service. Alan’s career journey includes notable positions at artificial lift companies such as Weatherford International and Trinity Pumping Units, as well as his tenure at Flex Rod LLC, where he honed his skills in client relations and strategic growth.

Alan’s passion for developing lasting relationships with clients has been a driving force in his success. He possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics and is adept at identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities within the energy sector. His expertise spans the entire sales process, from initial engagement to closing deals, ensuring a seamless experience for clients.

As a Business Development Manager, Alan is committed to driving growth and fostering partnerships that contribute to the advancement of the companies he works with. His strategic vision and customer-focused approach make him an asset in the competitive landscape of the oil and gas industry.

He is located in Midland, Texas.