BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Allan W. Jackson, Chairman and CEO
Allan Jackson is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arci Ltd., where he leads the company’s strategic direction, investment initiatives, and long-term growth within the real estate sector. Under his leadership, Arci will continue to strengthen its position as a disciplined and forward-thinking real estate investment company.
In addition to his role at Arci, Mr. Jackson serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jackson Enterprises Inc., a holding and consulting firm. His career included significant governance and executive experience, including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for Canadian Western Bank, as a director of Westjet Airlines and as a director of Princeton Developments Ltd., a private real estate development and management company.
Mr. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Hannes Kovac, President and COO
Hannes Kovac is the President and Chief Executive Officer of OPUS Corporation and President and Chief Operating Officer of ARCI Investments Inc., where he oversees the strategic direction, development activities, and long-term growth of both organizations. As a founding member of Northern Vision Development LP in Whitehorse, Yukon, he has played a significant role in shaping real estate investment and development across multiple regions.
Mr. Kovac has contributed extensively to Calgary’s business community, previously serving on the boards of the Calgary Film Centre and Calgary Economic Development (CED). He currently chairs CED’s Real Estate Advisory Committee, providing guidance on the city’s evolving commercial and residential landscape.
Since 1997, Mr. Kovac has been a prominent leader in Calgary’s real estate market, overseeing more than 40 million square feet of development, including landmark projects such as OPUS 8, Stampede Station, the Golder Building, and Britannia Crossing. Under his leadership, OPUS has recently expanded into multifamily development, highlighted by the Mission Landing project.
Originally from Austria, he holds a Master of Law from Karl-Franzens University and completed post-graduate studies in International Criminal Law at the University of Antwerp.
Joe Palin, Secretary
Joe Palin is a Partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP and serves as Secretary of ARCI Investments Inc. He brings over 35 years of specialized experience in structuring and executing complex domestic and international financing transactions. Mr. Palin regularly acts as lead counsel to major financial institutions, lending syndicates, and corporate borrowers, advising on sophisticated financing structures across multiple industries.
He has significant expertise in oil and gas, energy services, power projects, and pipeline project financing. His practice also encompasses debt restructuring, corporate reorganizations, and bankruptcy and insolvency matters, providing clients with comprehensive counsel across the full spectrum of capital structuring and recovery.
Throughout his career, Mr. Palin has advised on numerous high-value transactions, including cross-border syndicated credit facilities, large-scale project financings, and renewable energy development financings across North and South America.