Executive Management
Company Leadership
Mahendran Samuel
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Mahendran Samuel is the Founder and CEO of Riverstone Resources. With more than 35 years of experience across mining, exploration, development, and commodities trading, he is a widely respected industry leader known for his depth of expertise, strategic judgment, and decisive leadership.
His operational focus spans hydrocarbons, power generation, precious and base metals, diamonds, and heavy mineral sands. Under his direction, Riverstone Resources is committed to increasing production capacity, strengthening operational efficiency, and expanding its global resource portfolio for long-term, sustainable growth.
John G. F. McLeod, P. Eng., FEC
Vice President, Engineering
John McLeod has over 40 years of technical, operational, and management experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, both domestically and internationally. He spent 15 years with Amoco Canada in Canada and the USA, including four years as Chief Engineer.
He has served as an officer and/or director of several Canadian public and private energy companies. Internationally, he has been involved in exploration, development, and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects and has held leadership roles, including President and CEO positions, in companies such as Arakis Energy Corp (Sudan), Rally Energy Corp (Egypt), and United Hydrocarbon International Corp (Chad).
John is a member and past President of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Ben Lehr
Vice President, Operations
With more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Ben Lehr serves as Vice President of Operations at Riverstone Resources. His career began on drilling and workover rigs, where he progressed to the role of Company Man (Wellsite Representative), overseeing critical field operations and ensuring seamless coordination between operators and service providers.
He has held several leadership roles across the industry, including Drilling and Completions Manager, Operations Supervisor, and Director of Operations. In these roles, he managed multi-site operations, optimized efficiencies, and delivered cost-effective performance across regional and international projects.
As VP of Operations, Ben leads the company’s operational strategy, guiding multiple departments and ensuring disciplined execution, operational excellence, and long-term growth.