Our Executive Team

Active Minerals’ Executive Team

Meet our executive team. Together these professionals command a combined experience of more than 90 years in the Industrial Minerals industry. This leadership team is propelling Active Mineral’s successful growth and placing the company at the forefront of technological innovation in industrial minerals markets.

President and CEO

BRAD CASPER

Senior Advisor

DENNIS PARKER

Chief Financial Officer

Wayne Carlson

General Counsel &
Chief Compliance Officer

CHRIS COLEY

Chief Strategy Officer

David COPLEY

Chief Commercial Officer

Joel Henley

Vice President
Global Logistics

ADOLFO BLASSINO

Vice President
Operations

CHUCK PETTIT

Vice President
Human Resources

Lara Walker

Vice President
Information Technology

Charlie Price

Brad Casper – President and CEO

Joined AMI in 2020 bringing with him a deep background in specialty minerals and mining for global industrial and energy markets.  Previously, Casper served as President of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. and other roles including Chief Commercial Officer from 2015-2019 and Vice President of Strategy. In these roles he drove U.S. Silica’s expansion and M&A strategy and led the over $1.3 billion acquisition and integration of six companies in specialty minerals, logistics and value-added performance minerals. Before joining U.S. Silica, Casper held various positions at Bain & Company, Inc., including Principal. Casper earned a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dennis Parker – Senior Advisor

Joined AMI in 1984. During his 36 years of service, Parker has transformed AMI from a distributor of minerals and chemicals to a fully integrated, world class producer of kaolin and attapulgite clays. Prior positions held include Business Development Manager, Vice President of Sales and, for the past 24 years, CEO/President. In addition to his role of Senior Advisor, Parker serves on AMI’s Board of Directors. Parker graduated with a BA in Geology from the Indiana University School of Geology and is a specialist in clay mineralogy.

Wayne Carlson – Chief Financial Officer

Joined AMI in 2022. As CFO, Wayne leads the overall finance function and serves as a business partner to the broader organization ensuring financial compliance, driving organizational improvements, and creating enterprise value. He comes to AMI with over 20 years of progressive financial experience, including significant experience within the chemical and materials manufacturing industry.  Wayne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from West Virginia University and is an inactive Certified Public Accountant.

Chris Coley – General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

Joined AMI in 2020 bringing more than 25 years of business law experience. Before joining AMI, Coley held a similar position at EP Minerals from 2012-2019 where he was responsible for legal and compliance issues including two substantial asset acquisitions/integrations along with the sale of EP and all its subsidiaries to US Silica. Prior to that, Coley served as General Counsel for a NASDAQ-listed company in the field of nanotechnology and as CEO/General Counsel for a gaming enterprise. Coley earned his law degree at Southwestern University School of Law and a Master of Finance from the University of Illinois.

David Copley – Chief Strategy Officer

Joined AMI in 2021, bringing with him a deep background in industrial minerals, supply chain management, and management consulting, as well as extensive experience in the U.S. public sector. For six years, David held positions of increasing responsibility at U.S. Silica (NYSE: SLCA), including serving as Chief Operating Officer of the company’s Performance Materials business segment. Prior to U.S. Silica, David worked as a strategy consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), solving strategic challenges for industrial, financial services, aerospace, and public sector clients. As a public sector official, David served at the U.S. State Department as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. He also served as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. David earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Wharton School and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is a veteran of the war in Iraq.

Joel Henley – Chief Commercial Officer

Joined AMI in 2021 and is responsible for aligning the company’s commercial growth strategy with operational objectives.  Joel’s prior industry experience includes 5 years as Vice President, Global Sales & Business Development for Minerals Technologies in Bethlehem, PA.   He also held the position of Vice President, Industrial Products and Savory Ingredients at Tate and Lyle Corporation based in Chicago, IL and Director of Industrial Products Division for Ingredion Corporation, NJ.  Joel earned an MBA from Boston University and has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Adolfo Blassino – Vice President Global Logistics

Joined AMI in 2012 and currently leads the Company’s logistics and domestic customer service operations. Blassino has 20 years of experience in logistics, distribution and procurement. He has held management positions at Pompeian Oil and Solo Cup. His efforts have led Active Minerals to be recognized for nine consecutive years by the Journal of Commerce as a Top 100 US Exporter. Blassino graduated with an AA in Business Administration from Catonsville Community College. He also serves as President of the US Clay Producers Traffic Association.

Chuck Pettit – Vice President of Operations

Joined AMI in 2007 and held prior positions as Operations Manager of Gordon’s Kaolin Division and General Manager of Operations.  Prior to joining AMI, Pettit was a Plant Manager at multiple facilities and Corporate Mobile Equipment Manager at Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Co. and Imerys. Pettit’s industry experience and influence have been essential in achieving critical milestones and objectives. Pettit graduated with a BS in Business Management from Rasmussen College and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Mining Association.

Charlie Price – Vice President of Information Technology

Joined AMI in 2022 to lead the company’s Information Technology strategy and operations. Price has over 20 years of experience in infrastructure, cyber-security,  IT operations, and compliance. Previously, Charlie held Director of IT positions in several industries, including Oil & Gas, Ship Management, and Software Development, where he managed teams and infrastructure globally.

 

Lara Walker – Vice President of Human Resources

Joined AMI in 2022.  Lara provides executive-level leadership and guidance to the organization’s HR operations. She also carries the responsibility of implementing long-range strategic HR goals. Lara has over 16 years of proven HR leadership experience including roles as VP of HR at HWCC  and VP of Talent Acquisition at OmniCable.  Additionally, she held HR Director roles at DNOW and National Oilwell Varco. Lara earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Houston Clear Lake and is PHR certified from SHRM.

GET STARTED ON YOUR CUSTOM MINERAL SOLUTION TODAY

Contact Us