Executive Team
Darby Stacey Chief Executive Officer
Darby Stacey, P.E., is the Chief Executive Officer of Talon Metals following the acquisition of Eagle Mine. He previously served as Eagle Mine’s Managing Director (since 2020) under Lundin Mining, leading safe, predictable performance, extending mine life beyond the then-planned 2025 closure, and overseeing the Eagle East ramp-up.
With more than 20 years in the mining industry, Darby brings leadership experience across design, project execution, and operations, supported by a technical background in mineral processing and water treatment. He was a key contributor to the original design and ramp-up of Humboldt Mill, helping the facility exceed its original design and operate above nameplate capacity.
Before returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his family, Darby served as Process Manager at the Idaho Cobalt Project and previously led process engineering and pre-feasibility work at Resolution Copper with Rio Tinto. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Tech and is a Registered Professional Engineer (Mining Engineering) in Arizona.
With more than 20 years in the mining industry, Darby brings leadership experience across design, project execution, and operations, supported by a technical background in mineral processing and water treatment. He was a key contributor to the original design and ramp-up of Humboldt Mill, helping the facility exceed its original design and operate above nameplate capacity.
Before returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his family, Darby served as Process Manager at the Idaho Cobalt Project and previously led process engineering and pre-feasibility work at Resolution Copper with Rio Tinto. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Tech and is a Registered Professional Engineer (Mining Engineering) in Arizona.
Mike Kicis President
Mike Kicis is President of Talon Metals and has been with the company for more than a decade. Before his appointment as President, he served as Talon’s Chief Legal Officer, providing strategic counsel and leadership across corporate governance, transactions, and regulatory matters.
Prior to joining Talon, Mike was a Senior Associate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, working in the firm’s London, England, and Calgary, Canada offices.
Mike earned his Honours Business Administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario, completed concurrently and with honours.
Prior to joining Talon, Mike was a Senior Associate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, working in the firm’s London, England, and Calgary, Canada offices.
Mike earned his Honours Business Administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario, completed concurrently and with honours.
Vince Conte Chief Financial Officer
Vince Conte is Chief Financial Officer of Talon Metals. Prior to joining Talon, he served as Vice President, Corporate Development and Financial Evaluation at Tau Capital, a private investment and advisory firm, where he was responsible for financial modelling and project valuation.
Before Tau Capital, Vince was a Senior Manager with Deloitte LLP in Toronto in the Financial Advisory Group, advising mining companies and investors on valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and financial due diligence. While at Deloitte, he also provided audit, accounting, internal controls, and consulting services.
Vince holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo and holds the CPA, CA, CFA, and CBV designations.
Before Tau Capital, Vince was a Senior Manager with Deloitte LLP in Toronto in the Financial Advisory Group, advising mining companies and investors on valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and financial due diligence. While at Deloitte, he also provided audit, accounting, internal controls, and consulting services.
Vince holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo and holds the CPA, CA, CFA, and CBV designations.
Brian Goldner Chief Exploration Officer
Brian Goldner is Chief Exploration Officer for Talon Metals, bringing 14 years of exploration experience, including prior roles with Rio Tinto Exploration. Over his career, he has focused on nickel and iron exploration across North America, with much of his work centered on advancing the Tamarack Project. Brian Goldner is Chief Exploration Officer for Talon Metals, bringing 14 years of exploration experience, including prior roles with Rio Tinto Exploration. Over his career, he has focused on nickel and iron exploration across North America, with much of his work centered on advancing the Tamarack Project.
Brian brings strong capability across both the technical and operational dimensions of exploration and has led multiple multi-rig drill programs over the course of his work with Rio Tinto and Talon Metals.
Brian holds degrees in Geology and Geography from Gustavus Adolphus College and completed a master’s thesis on the Tamarack Intrusion at the University of Minnesota Duluth, providing him with deep, site-specific expertise in Tamarack geology and geophysics.
Brian brings strong capability across both the technical and operational dimensions of exploration and has led multiple multi-rig drill programs over the course of his work with Rio Tinto and Talon Metals.
Brian holds degrees in Geology and Geography from Gustavus Adolphus College and completed a master’s thesis on the Tamarack Intrusion at the University of Minnesota Duluth, providing him with deep, site-specific expertise in Tamarack geology and geophysics.
Jessica Sandstrom Vice President, Health, Safety, & Human Resources
Jessica Sandstrom is Vice President, Health, Safety & Human Resources for Talon Metals and a senior HR and safety leader with 15+ years of experience in mining and global organizations. Most recently, Jessica served as Health, Safety & Human Resources Manager at Eagle Mine, leading all people and safety functions at an operating underground mine. In this role, she oversaw a two-year internalization of major contractors to reduce workforce and operational risk and implemented Fatal Risk Management to strengthen critical controls.
Previously, Jessica held global HR leadership roles with Lundin Mining, supporting HR systems and workforce strategy across multiple jurisdictions. She is recognized for embedding values into organizational systems, strengthening leadership capability, and managing workforce risk in complex operating environments.
She holds a B.S. in Human Resources Management & Services and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, Korn Ferry Leadership Architect Certified, and a Certified Internal Investigator.
Previously, Jessica held global HR leadership roles with Lundin Mining, supporting HR systems and workforce strategy across multiple jurisdictions. She is recognized for embedding values into organizational systems, strengthening leadership capability, and managing workforce risk in complex operating environments.
She holds a B.S. in Human Resources Management & Services and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, Korn Ferry Leadership Architect Certified, and a Certified Internal Investigator.
Matt Johnson Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Matt Johnson is Vice President, Corporate Affairs for Talon Metals. He was part of the team that developed Eagle Mine, an award-winning greenfield nickel mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula recognized internationally for modern mining practices, including environmental protection, community capacity building, transparency, and employee engagement.
A proactive, highly collaborative executive, Matt builds trusted relationships with teams and local communities to foster collective problem-solving and long-term shared success. He previously worked for the U.S. Congress and served under Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm on natural resource issues.
Matt holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology and Public Administration from Northern Michigan University, completed executive programs led by Duke and Georgetown, and holds the ESG Competent Boards Certificate and GCB.D designation. He serves on Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees.
A proactive, highly collaborative executive, Matt builds trusted relationships with teams and local communities to foster collective problem-solving and long-term shared success. He previously worked for the U.S. Congress and served under Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm on natural resource issues.
Matt holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology and Public Administration from Northern Michigan University, completed executive programs led by Duke and Georgetown, and holds the ESG Competent Boards Certificate and GCB.D designation. He serves on Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees.
Rob Beranek Vice President, Projects & Environmental
Rob Beranek is Vice President, Projects & Environmental for Talon Metals. He has worked in mining since 2009, with experience in environmental compliance, permitting, regulatory strategy, and the delivery of complex projects. Most recently, he served as Environmental and Water Services Manager at Eagle Mine, where he led environmental compliance, permitting, and water treatment for the mine and mill.
Prior to Eagle Mine, Rob held senior roles at Cleveland-Cliffs, including Director of Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Affairs, where he led permitting strategy across mining, steelmaking, and steel finishing operations in the United States. His background includes multi-media permitting and renewals, state and federal regulatory engagement, oversight of legacy sites, and support of business growth evaluations and development-stage projects.
Rob holds an M.S. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Applied Physics.
Prior to Eagle Mine, Rob held senior roles at Cleveland-Cliffs, including Director of Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Affairs, where he led permitting strategy across mining, steelmaking, and steel finishing operations in the United States. His background includes multi-media permitting and renewals, state and federal regulatory engagement, oversight of legacy sites, and support of business growth evaluations and development-stage projects.
Rob holds an M.S. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Applied Physics.