John Ciganek, MD and CEO of Vanadium Resources
Full Name: John Ciganek
Position and Company Name: MD and CEO of Vanadium Resources
Main Activity of the Company: Vanadium Resources is a developer and ultimately producer of vanadium
Date and Place of Birth: April 24, 1967, Sydney, Australia
Education: Bachelor of Mining Engineering, Wollongong University, New South Wales, Australia; MBA, Macquarie Graduate School of Management, New South Wales, Australia
First Job: Underground coal miner
Career Path to Date: I spent ten years as a mining engineer and then 18 years in banking and corporate finance advisory
Value of Assets under Your Control: $1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: Ten people
Management Style: Lead by example
Personal Best Achievement: Acting as corporate finance adviser to some of the most well-regarded mining professionals in the industry, with projects located across the globe, for more than 18 years. Through my career to date, I have been involved with successfully raising debt and equity funding in excess of A$5-billion for various clients
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My grandfather, who taught me to work hard and treat people with respect in all aspects of life. He also taught me how to play chess
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Joan Bath, my first boss as a junior mining engineer at Comalco/Rio Tinto in Weipa, North Queensland, Australia. She was Australia’s first female mine manager
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett, an investment legend
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, for his ability to transition the globe to electric vehicles
Philosophy of Life: Work hard and deal with people honestly and fairly
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Appointment as MD and CEO of Vanadium Resources
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None, really; I am happy with my past decisions and actions
Hope For the Future: That the globe transitions completely to renewable energy and battery storage, with a view to eliminating hydrocarbon-based power
Favourite Reading: Nonfiction
Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch TV
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood and white wine
Favourite Music: Classical guitar music
Favourite Sport: Soccer and boxing
Hobbies: Playing the classical guitar, bush walking, swimming and yoga
Car: I do not own a car
Married: To Rebel Ciganek
Children: Siena, 19