Leadership

Mr. Sawhney, the founder and CEO of Dr. Phone Fix is multiple award-winning, risk-taking, serial entrepreneur and thought leader playing an integral role in the growth of Canada's burgeoning cell phone repair and electronics industry. His entrepreneurial acumen and strategic vision have been instrumental in expanding the company's footprint and enhancing its service offerings.

Mr. Sawhney is a network builder and founder of two cell phone and electronics related companies in Canada. Skilled in corporate development and business expansion, sales, technical training, and supply chain development makes him a valuable asset to industry committees focused on technology innovation, business growth and consumer electronics. A cell phone veteran with over 15 years of business operational experience and strategic leadership. Mobile Zap Ltd., which he founded, was recognized by the Financial Times14 as one of the 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the 'Americas' for 2024 and named by the Globe and Mail15 as the 10th Fastest Growing Company in Canada for 2023. He's a winner of Canadian business leadership awards including the 2023 ASTech 'Game Changer' award16 and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce 2023 'Newcomer Entrepreneur' award17. He was a finalist in 2022 for the Ernst & Young 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award18 for the Prairies as well as the Canadian SME Small Business Awards 'Top Immigrant Entrepreneur' finalist

Mr. Goel is a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, where he has developed a deep understanding of technology and market trends. His entrepreneurial spirit has driven him to be involved in numerous business ventures and real estate projects, showcasing his versatility and business acumen. Notably, Mr. Goel founded MobilFixrepair chain, establishing it as a trusted brand before successfully selling it in 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra, one of India's premier institutes of technology, providing him with a strong technical foundation that has significantly contributed to his success in both the telecommunications and entrepreneurial sectors.

Mr. Goel is currently the President of Dr. Phone Fix Canada Limited and assists the CEO with strategic planning, contributing to the long-term vision and growth strategies of the company. He also works closely with the CEO and CFO on managing key financing arrangements, ensuring optimal financial performance. Additionally, Mr. Goel also assist the CEO with identifying new store locations, conducting thorough research, and negotiating leases to support the company's expansion efforts.

Jason Vandenberg brings over 20 years of experience across diverse financial leadership positions and has an established record of leading multiple companies through substantial growth, both organically and through business acquisitions. Jason is currently a senior vice president and co-founder of Camilla Advisory Group Inc., a management consulting firm based in Edmonton, Alberta. Prior to this, Jason was the Chief Financial Officer of ENTREC Corporation from 2011 until 2020 and the CFO of Eveready Inc. and its predecessor companies until it was acquired by Clean Harbors in 2009. In these roles, Jason was responsible for all finance and administrative functions. Prior to joining Eveready in 2005, Jason spent six years as an accountant with Grant Thornton and from 2010 until 2011 was the Vice President, Finance with Afexa Life Sciences Inc. Jason is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, with Distinction, from the University of Alberta.

Mr. Verma brings over a decade of experience in the telecommunications industry, coupled with a robust background as an experienced residential and commercial home builder. He successfully launched and operated a Bell authorized dealership in Red Deer, AB, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen. Mr. Verma has played a pivotal role in the build-out and development of all 35 DPF locations, demonstrating his expertise in project management and operational efficiency.

Currently, Mr. Verma oversees and coordinates all aspects of new store construction. In this capacity, he ensures that each project meets rigorous standards for quality and timeliness, managing everything from architectural design to contractor coordination and final inspections. His comprehensive approach guarantees that new stores are built to the highest specifications, enhancing the overall customer experience and supporting the company's growth objectives and standards.

Mr. Barr is the current managing partner of BARR LLP and has been an equity partner of the firm since 2015. Mr. Barr has 13 years of experience in Corporate and Commercial Law, specializing in commercial asset and share acquisition and sale, corporate reorganizations, commercial financing, shareholder agreements, tax implementation, leasing and lease review, and commercial real estate acquisition and sale.

Prior to practice, Mr. Barr completed a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto in the field of Health Law and was thereafter engaged as a research associate at the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. Prior to joining BARR LLP, Mr. Barr articled with Ogilvie LLP in Edmonton. He is currently the National Chair of the Canadian Bar Associations Real Property Subsection and a past member of the Real Estate Practice Advisory Committee for the Law Society of Alberta.

Mr. Barr has acted as general counsel to Dr. Phone Fix Canada Limited since 2021. Mr. Barr has also served as the Board Secretary and General Counsel for UpRyze Cannabis Ltd., a fully licensed microcultivation and micro-processing cannabis company in Acheson, Alberta, from August 2019 to March 2024. Mr. Barr has also served as a director to Phidelco Ltd., a housing corporation at the University of Alberta, since 2012.

Frank Sur, current Corporate Secretary and a director of Auka, is a partner of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, practicing in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and corporate commercial, with a focus in technology, energy and mining sectors. Fluent in Korean, Frank has represented a number of Korean-based companies - as well as numerous international companies based in China and other parts of Asia - in various transactions over the years. He has sat on the boards of a number of public companies, has advised on a large number of cross- border transactions, and has represented many international companies on financings, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.

Mr. Sur holds an LL.B. from the University of Windsor, a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School Of Law and a bachelor's degree in arts (honours) from Queen's University.

Mr. Sur has been a Director and the Corporate Secretary of Auka since its inception.

Mr. Baraniecki is a utility executive with over 20 years of experience and is currently holds the position of Vice President, Commercial Development at EPCOR Utilities Inc. In his current position Mr. Baraniecki is Jay is accountable for providing senior leadership to EPCOR's Commercial Development operations in Canada which primarily involves business development (origination), contract development and negotiation and integration of new commercial development projects and utility acquisitions. Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Baraniecki was the Director, Technologies from February 2022 to January 2023 and Director, Energy Services leading EPCOR Utilities Inc.'s Energy Services Division that primarily provides billing and customer care services for EPCOR's regulated electricity customers. From August 2003 through June 2016, Mr. Baraniecki held progressively increasing roles in Regulatory Affairs for EPCOR Utilities Inc. Electricity Services functions, concluding with the role of Director, Regulatory Affairs and Business Planning. In this role, he was responsible for the development and execution of regulatory strategies and applications for EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc.'s distribution and transmission functions and EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. (Energy Services).

Mr. Baraniecki has been a Director of AUKA Capital Corp. since its inception where he was a member of its Audit Commitee. Mr. Baraniecki also served as the Board Chair for UpRyze Cannabis Ltd., a fully licensed microcultivation and micro-processing cannabis company in Acheson, Alberta, from August 2019 to November 2023.

Mr. Jeff Lloyd is the President of Almita Piling, a leading North American geostructural provider. Prior to his current position, Mr. Lloyd worked at a New York Stock Exchange listed international consulting firm based in Edmonton, Alberta as its vice president of Corporate Development. Mr. Lloyd graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver in 1987 and with a Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in 1990.

Mr. Lloyd currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Olsson, a multi discipline engineering and consulting firm based in Lincoln, Nebraska and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Derrick Club in Edmonton, Alberta. Mr. Lloyd is a past director and member of the Pigeon Lake Watershed Association, the EPCOR Community Essentials Council and the Kids with Cancer Society of Northern Alberta.

Robert Cole has over 25 years of experience within capital markets and wealth management. He is currently a Principal at Tytata Holdings Inc., a wealth management consulting firm. As a portfolio manager and family enterprise advisor, he consults on family and business wealth creation and eventual transition within a governance framework. His industry experience has ranged from product development, product distribution, practice management, industry regulatory compliance and high net worth client advisory. A graduate of the University of Alberta, Mr. Cole holds both a bachelor degree in Arts and Commerce and completed his MBA with the Australian Institute of Business.

Mr. Cole is an independent contractor of the Corporation and it is anticipated that Mr. Cole will devote such amount of time as is required by the Corporation to identify and complete a Qualifying Transaction. Mr. Cole has not entered into a non-competition or non-disclosure agreement with the Corporation.