Key Executives
Damian Caldwell Managing Director
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Oladunni (Ola) Iyiola Managing Director
Meet Damian Caldwell, a driving force behind Lighter Dynamic Oil and Gas (LDOAG). As the original founder and CEO of Triple 7 Commodities Inc., Damian's journey in the business world has been marked by transformative leadership and strategic acumen.
Damian's entrepreneurial spirit came to the fore as he spearheaded Triple 7's growth within the mining industry. Through a carefully crafted strategy of organic growth and assimilation, he elevated Triple 7 to become a prominent player in the mining sector. In a significant move in early 2021, he orchestrated the acquisition of Mountainside Coal Company Inc., subsequently assuming the role of CEO for the entire holding company.
Under Damian's guidance, the combined entities now boast over seven mining sites and a $20 million coal wash plant. Doing business with major corporations like Ferro Globe, Proterra Partners, Universal Alloys, and others, Damian has positioned the company as a key player in the industry.
Damian Caldwell's professional journey began in the financial services industry, starting as an Associate at Wachovia Bank and later ascending to the position of President at Caldwell Financial. His expertise in sales and marketing, coupled with proven leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, paved the way for higher-level operational roles in various industries, ultimately leading to the founding of Triple 7 (now MCC) in 2016.
As the head of MCC, Damian achieved remarkable growth in mining production, revenues, and secured contracts with Fortune 1000 companies. Today, MCC stands as the only Minority Backed Enterprise (MBE) within the Specialty Coal industry, a testament to Damian's commitment to diversity and excellence.
Beyond business, Damian's influence extends into sustainable mining practices, environmental protection, and worker safety. His visionary approach has earned respect within the coal industry and beyond.
Damian Caldwell continues to shape the future of the energy industry, combining business acumen, integrity, and a dedication to sustainable practices. His journey is a testament to the power of vision and leadership in driving positive change within the dynamic landscape of energy and resources.
Oladunni (Ola) Iyiola Managing Director
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Oladunni (Ola) Iyiola Managing Director
Meet Oladunni Iyiola, a dynamic force at Lighter Dynamic Oil and Gas (LDOAG) with an impressive nine-year track record in successful Sales and Marketing across diverse industries. His expertise spans manufacturing, fossil fuels sales, bulk lubricants sales, and clean logistics marketing.
Ola's recent role at Yembus Investment LLC showcased his prowess in directing strategic sales and marketing initiatives. Over the past four years, he excelled in selling fossil fuels to major corporations and government agencies, gaining profound insights into building strong relationships with large energy consumers both in the United States and globally.
Ola's journey in the energy sector began in 2013 when he entered the sales and marketing arena with a focus on Bonny Light Crude Oil. His instrumental efforts led to the acquisition of an authentic allocation from Nigeria, establishing him as a key player in the industry. Collaborating with experienced veterans in the energy field, Ola brought strategic expertise in logistics and product sourcing.
A native of Awoekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, Ola Iyiola brings not only business acumen but also cultural expertise to the table. As a dual citizen of both the United States and Nigeria, he is fluent in four languages, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration.
Ola's influence extends beyond national borders. His strategic expertise in logistics and product sourcing has led to collaborations with multinational companies from both Nigeria and the U.S. His role in growing Mountainside Coal and co-founding Lighter Dynamic Oil And Gas demonstrates his commitment to driving success and innovation in the energy industry.
As a visionary Sales and Marketing Strategist, Ola Iyiola plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Lighter Dynamic Oil and Gas, contributing his wealth of experience and cultural insights to the company's global endeavors.
Robert Christiansen Chief Financial Officer
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Meet Robert Christiansen, Chief Financial Officer at Lighter Dynamic Oil and Gas (LDOAG), Robert plays a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of the company. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record, he is dedicated to setting up robust infrastructures and controls that enable LDOAG to operate seamlessly within a rolling five-year strategic vision.
Robert's illustrious career includes serving as a former Senior Vice President & General Manager at Citicorp Services, Inc., Global Payments Product Division. In this role, he oversaw two global operations centers and led a team of over 1,200 employees. His responsibilities extended to managing the issuance, tracking, and reconciliation of over one billion financial documents in various currencies, amounting to more than $151 billion annually.
Prior to his role at Citicorp, Robert held a director of operations position at American Express Co., Travel Related Services, Inc. There, he managed a substantial $65 million budget, showcasing his financial acumen and leadership skills.
Beyond his corporate roles, Robert has demonstrated successful entrepreneurial ventures. Following his tenure at Citicorp, he founded Financial Information Technologies, Inc. ("Fin\Tech"), a start-up that specialized in marketing electronic funds transfer (EFT) and flexible electronic data interchange (flex-EDI) services across corporate, public, private sectors, and government entities nationwide. Under his leadership, the company processed over $70 million a month in payments for over 500 clients.
Robert Christiansen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ancient and Medieval History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds the degree of Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI) with a special emphasis on company operations.
His contributions extend beyond the business realm as a former member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Tampa in Florida. With his extensive financial expertise and strategic vision, Robert Christiansen brings a wealth of knowledge to LDOAG, ensuring the company's financial success aligns seamlessly with its strategic objectives.
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Travis Burris Vice President- Field Operations
Meet Travis Burris, as the Site Management Liaison between Triple 7 Commodities, Inc. and Lighter Dynamic Oil and Gas, Travis Burris plays a pivotal role in the implementation of project management, engineering statistics, and production processes. As Vice President -Operations, Travis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, ensuring seamless collaboration between the two entities.
Travis's professional journey is marked by a progression of increasingly responsible roles in manufacturing. His diverse experience encompasses Industrial Engineering and production management within Operations. He has lent his skills and expertise to renowned companies such as Volvo North America Trucks, Textron, Honeywell FM&T, and Garmin.
Notably, Travis served as a Horizontal Construction Engineer in the U.S. Army, operating heavy equipment and managing construction projects in training environments. The fusion of principles from both military and civilian careers has been key to his success. Travis's approach incorporates lean manufacturing practices and a continuous improvement mindset, reflecting his commitment to positively impacting business outcomes and driving results.
Travis Burris holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. His unique ability to view the world through the customers' eyes enables him to solve complex problems with a customer-centric approach. Recognized for his effective collaboration and leadership skills, Travis is dedicated to working with and through others to achieve shared goals.
In his role at Lighter Dynamic Oil and Gas, Travis Burris exemplifies a commitment to excellence, problem-solving, and results-driven leadership, ensuring the success of operations and contributing to the overall success of the organization.