Management Team

Scott Tessier has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER) since 2013, and was also Board Chair from 2013-2019.

Scott was born and raised in St. John’s and holds an Engineering degree from Memorial University. Before joining the C-NLOER, he was an advisor in the petroleum industry on legislative and regulatory matters in Alberta. Prior to that, Scott served in senior positions with regulatory mandates during a public service career that spanned twelve years at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and three years in the Health and Northern Economic Development portfolios. Earlier in his career, Scott worked with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and he started his career with the St. John’s Harbour Atlantic Coastal Action Program.

Scott is an observer on the Board of One Ocean and he is the past Chair of the International Regulators Forum. From 2019 to 2023, Scott served on Eastern Health’s Board of Trustees and Quality Assurance, Improvement and Safety Committee. He also served two terms on the Board of the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response (MEOPAR) Network from 2014 to 2020.

Scott has coached youth basketball and minor hockey. He and his wife have three children and an unusually large number of pets.

Jill Mackey has been with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER) Safety Department since 2012, having previously served in the positions of Safety Officer and Lead Safety Officer. As Chief Safety Officer and Director of Safety, she is focused on oversight and management of departmental activities, processes and procedures.

Jill graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from Memorial University of Newfoundland and also has a B. Ed., (Intermediate / High School) and B.Sc., (Biochemistry Honours), from Memorial. She is a Professional Engineer, a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and has attained an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School. Along with her scientific training, Jill is a graduate of the French Immersion Honors program at Holy Heart of Mary High School and successfully completed three French bursary programmes in Quebec.

In her spare time, Jill enjoys good food, painting, hiking and travelling.

Jeff O’Keefe is a Senior Special Advisor with the Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER).

Born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Jeff graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology and then from the University of Alberta in 1998 with Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering. He received his P. Geo and P.Eng. designations in 2008.

Jeff has worked with a variety of oil companies on projects in West Africa and Russia. Jeff worked on the White Rose project in 2003 and then joined the C-NLOER in 2004 as a reservoir engineer. He held the position of Director of Resource Management from 2013 to 2021 and continues to serve as Chief Conservation Officer (CCO), a role he has held since 2013.

Jeff has served on the Board of Geoscientists Canada and in a variety of executive positions, including President for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists for Newfoundland and Labrador. Jeff also became a Fellow of Geoscientists Canada in 2018.

Jeff is a member of several associations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Geological Association of Canada.

After graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-Operative) degree in 1992, Mike held progressively responsible positions with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador before joining the C-NLOER in 2002.

His previous experience includes roles as a Management Analyst with the Provincial Court of Newfoundland, a Policy, Planning and Research Analyst and Manager of Public Services and Administration with the Newfoundland Medical Care Commission, and Manager of Human Resources with the Department of Health and Community Services.

He has held various roles at the C-NLOER including Human Resources Manager, Manager of Support Services, Director of Administration and Industrial Benefits, and has held the role of Director of Corporate Services since March 2021.

Mike holds a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Newfoundland and Labrador.

He was raised in Grand Bank, NL and resides in Kilbride, NL with his wife and two daughters.

Kelly has worked at the C-NLOER since 2008, previously in the positions of Development Geologist and Geoscience Lead. Her role as Director of Resource Management is focused on regulatory oversight of producing fields, including reservoir geoscience and engineering, measurement, production monitoring and forecasting. She has also been helping to spearhead the C-NLOER’s initiatives on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

She holds a B.Sc. (Honours) in Geology and Environmental Science from Western University, an M.Sc. in Geology from Queen’s University and a Ph.D. in Geology from Carleton University. Her graduate research included field-based studies in carbonate sedimentology in western Newfoundland and in the Northwest Territories. She has served two terms on the editorial board of the Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology.

Kelly is registered as a Professional Geoscientist with PEG-NL. A committed community volunteer, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for her contributions to Canada and the community. Kelly is a long-serving youth leader with Girl Guides of Canada and is also a chorister and board member of Quintessential Vocal Ensemble. She is originally from Conception Bay South.

Marshall was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Memorial University and an MBA from Heriot Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School. He also completed the Advance Leadership Program at Memorial University’s Gardiner Center in 2022.

Marshall’s engineering career began in the petroleum industry in Western Canada. He returned to Newfoundland and joined the C-NLOER in 2012. Marshall has held multiple positions within the C‑NLOER in both the Resource Management and Offshore Operations Departments. In his current role as Director of Offshore Operations, Marshall is responsible for a specialized team of engineering and technical staff focused on well operations, certification, production operations, and regulatory reform.

For the last 15 years, Marshall has been actively involved with the Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation (CPCF), where he has held the role of Director-Treasurer for eight years. Marshall also occasionally participates as a guest lecturer for the Masters of Engineering program at Memorial University. In 2019 he received the Regional Young Members Outstanding Service Award from the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Marshall currently resides in St. John’s with his wife and children.

Lynette has been with the C-NLOER since 2021, having previously served as Senior Legal Counsel and Legal Counsel. As General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Lynette advises the CEO, Management Team and the C-NLOER on legal and enforcement matters and ensures effective administration and conduct of Board meetings. Her practice areas include natural resources, occupational health and safety, environmental, contract and administrative law. Lynette has over 23 years legal experience, including previous experience as in-house counsel focused on regulatory compliance, public safety and emergency management in Alberta.

Lynette graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University (double major in French and Political Science) and completed the French program at L’Institut Frecker in St. Pierre. In 2001, she graduated with joint Bachelor of Laws and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of New Brunswick. As a scholarship recipient of the As Prime Minister Awards Program, her essay “Divide and Conquer- How decentralization can lead to a new and united Canada” was published in the 1999 edition of @stake As Prime Minister I would…”. Lynette has also completed the Advanced Leadership Program at Memorial University’s Gardiner Centre. She is a member of the Law Societies of Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Lynette’s proudest accomplishment is being a mom. In her spare time, Lynette enjoys hiking, biking and walking the Manuals River trails with her family and their hyperactive dog. She currently sits as a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee at the C-NLOER. As part of the “C-NLOER Gives Back” initiative, Lynette enjoys volunteering at various community organizations throughout the year.

Stephanie Johnson was born and raised in Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Science from Memorial University. Since 2008, Stephanie has been a member of the C-NLOER’s Exploration and Information Resources Department and is an active member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland & Labrador, focusing in Petroleum Geology.

As of 2025, Stephanie holds the position of Senior Director, Offshore Resources and Data. In 2016, Stephanie assumed the role of Acting Director of Exploration and Information Resources, managing administration of the Scheduled Land Tenure System, assessment of exploration-related authorizations and approvals, policy development, administration of corporate records and technical information, and the operation of the Core Storage and Research Centre.

In her personal life, Stephanie enjoys a variety of recreational activities including softball, hockey, camping, and kayaking.

Rob McGrath is the Senior Director of Industrial Benefits and Innovation with the C-NLOER where he has been employed since June 2021. After graduating from Memorial University in 2002, Rob spent two years working in London, England and traveling across Europe. Upon moving home to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2005, Rob obtained employment with the Provincial Government. Over the next 12 years, Rob held progressively responsible positions, including several years as the Director of Industrial Benefits with the Department of Natural Resources. In this role, Rob interacted regularly with oil and gas operators, the supply community and industry representatives and was responsible for negotiating and monitoring Benefits Agreements for offshore developments. In 2017, Rob moved into the private sector and spent the next four years securing business opportunities and acquisitions, locally, nationally and internationally.

In his spare time, Rob can be found on the soccer field coaching his daughters. Rob is also an active volunteer in the local community, most recently serving on the Executive of the Bowring Park Foundation.

Rob lives in St. John’s with his wife and two daughters.

Lesley has been with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator since 2008, progressing through senior communications positions and onto management as Director, Communications and Public Engagement in 2022 and adding Government Relations to her responsibilities in 2025.

Lesley is responsible for strategic engagement with both provincial and federal governments, internal and external communications, media relations and oversight of the C‑NLOER’s digital and social media presence. In this role she also supports informed policy dialogue related to offshore energy and strengthens relationships with government partners and key stakeholders.

Lesley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University and an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from the Nova Scotia Community College. She completed the Advanced Leadership Program at Memorial University’s Gardiner Centre in 2022 and most recently completed the Executive Policy Leadership Program with the University of Ottawa’s Public Policy Forum. She is currently enrolled in Mount Saint Vincent University’s Master of Public Relations program.

Outside of her professional role, Lesley is an active volunteer in the local community. She and her husband are proud parents of two daughters and one ‘mini’ Goldendoodle.

Craig attended Memorial University of Newfoundland where he attained a B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. in Geophysics. During his career Craig has specialized in exploration geophysics, focusing on seismic data interpretation and assessment. Craig began working for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER) in October 2005 in the Exploration Department, progressing through senior technical positions and onto management as Exploration Director in 2012. Craig’s role expanded in 2014 as he accepted the Information Resources portfolio and held the position of Director of Exploration and Information Resources, until moving into the position of Director of Regulatory Operations.

Craig is focused on regulatory excellence, including world-class facilitation of exploration through implementation of programs like the scheduled land tenure system as well as placing a high priority on information management, access to data and value-added information for the public and oil and gas industry. Prior to his employment at the C-NLOER Craig worked at a geophysical consulting firm where his focus was marine seismic data acquisition and processing.

Born and raised in St. John’s, NL, Craig is a member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

Before becoming Director of Environmental Protection, a position she has held since 2018, Elizabeth held roles such as Environmental Analyst and Environmental Assessment Officer within the Environmental Protection Department, of the C-NLOER. In her role as Director, Elizabeth manages activities related to environmental assessments, strategic environmental assessments, environmental protection plans, compliance and enforcement, environmental effects monitoring, and authorizations and approvals.

After graduating from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Science, Elizabeth worked for almost 20 years in the environmental consulting sector as a project manager, environmental biologist, and environmental analyst. She also worked as project manager in environment on a resource project with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Over this time, she developed extensive experience in the environmental management of resource projects and a strong background in regulatory environments and legislative regimes.

Elizabeth is a member of the Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF) Management Board and the C-NLOER representative on the International Offshore Petroleum Environmental Regulators (IOPER).

She is a long-time supporter and member of the Manuels River Natural Heritage Society.