Executive Leadership

Mr. Barbagallo was appointed Executive Chairman in November 2024. Before joining Boart Longyear, Mr. Barbagallo served as Chief Executive Officer of mining equipment manufacturer CR Mining. Prior to that time, he held a number of senior leadership positions at Moly-Cop, Arrium Mining and Materials, Rio Tinto, and Xstrata.

Mr. Barbagallo holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration in International Finance from The University of Queensland.

Mr. Baetz joined Boart Longyear as Chief Financial Officer on June 17, 2024, bringing extensive financial leadership experience across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, energy services, and manufacturing. Prior to Boart Longyear, Mr. Baetz was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for Berry Corporation. Before Berry, he held Chief Financial Officer roles at Seventy Seven Energy, Chesapeake Oilfield Services, Atrium Corporation, and Boots & Coots. Earlier in his career, Mr. Baetz held senior finance positions with Chaparral Steel and Texas Industries. He is a member of the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents.

Mr. Baetz holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Finance and Accounting from Oklahoma State University.

Mr. Despres was appointed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer in September 2016 and Chief Executive Officer, Drilling Services in October 2023. He began his career with Boart Longyear in 1981 and held various positions with progressive responsibility in the Company’s Drilling Services and Products divisions over the next 26 years, including as Senior VP, Drilling Services. After leaving Boart Longyear in 2007, Mr. Despres founded his own drilling business, which was acquired by Major Drilling in 2010. He served as Major’s Chief Operating Officer prior to rejoining Boart Longyear.

Mr. Despres studied in Ontario, Canada, and received a diploma in mechanical engineering technology from Algonquin College, a Bachelor of Engineering from Lakehead University and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University, all of which are in Ontario, Canada.

Mr. Goldblatt joined Boart Longyear as Chief Human Resources Officer on September 1, 2022. His career includes significant global human resources experience focused on organizational transformation, business partnering, and performance management across diverse industries. From 2019 to 2022, Mr. Goldblatt was a senior executive with mattress manufacturer Serta Simmons Bedding, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and previously as Chief Human Resources Officer. From 2006 to 2019, he was Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Acuity Brand Lighting, the world’s largest manufacturer of lighting fixtures. From 2001 to 2006, Mr. Goldblatt held a number of human resources positions at Hexion Speciality Chemicals, including Vice President Human Resources Performance Products Division and Asia Pacific. He also held additional senior human resources positions at Phase Two Strategies and Trucolor.

Mr. Goldblatt is a graduate of Brown University.

Mrs. Giovanna Bee Moscoso joined Boart Longyear as Chief Legal Officer on February 28, 2022, bringing an abundance of legal and mining industry experience. Prior to joining the Company, Giovanna was a legal consultant to the mining industry where she focused on permitting, compliance, due diligence, and land management. From 1994 to 2019, Giovanna held progressive responsibilities at Barrick Gold, including Partner, Vice President, and Assistant General Counsel, in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Salt Lake City, and Toronto. Her scope of responsibilities encompassed managing legal, regulatory, permitting, and contractual matters for various mines in the Americas. Giovanna’s roles have also included coordinating government and public relations and developing social outreach and human rights programs with stakeholders, including indigenous communities and private landowners.

Giovanna is an Independent Director and Chair of the Governance, Social and Environmental Committee of the Board of GT Resources Inc. Until mid-2022, she was Chairwoman of the Board of Calipuy Resources Inc. 

Giovanna holds a Doctor of Law – JD from the University of Lima and a Masters of Law – LLM from Duke University.

Mr. Simonutti was appointed President, Drilling Products on November 27, 2023. He is a mining industry veteran with expertise in sales and marketing, product development and engineering. Before Boart Longyear, Mr. Simonutti held numerous executive positions with the Weir Group, most recently as Regional Managing Director North America – Minerals Division. Previously, he was Vice President of Global Sales – ESCO Division and Vice President of Products, Engineering and Marketing – ESCO Division. Mr. Simonutti joined Weir through the acquisition of ESCO in 2018. At ESCO, he held a variety of global senior leadership, product management, and engineering roles.

Mr. Simonutti holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Antwerp’s Management School.