Our Leaders

Mr. Bill Xue joined the board of Western Potash Corp. In September 2015, and following the completion of a Plan of Arrangement in April 2017, Mr. Xue's directorship was transferred to Western Resources Corp. Mr. Xue was elected as Chairman of the Board in March 2020.

Mr. Xue brings 20 years experience in project & investment management from both the private and public sectors, specializing in finance, mining, gas, and power generation fields. He has played a leading role in several significant M&A transactions involving publicly listed companies, including Deputy Chief Engineer at Shanxi Economic Development Investment Company, Executive Deputy General Manager at Shanxi Top Energy Company Ltd., Managing Partner at Shanxi Baijie Law Firm, President and General Manager at Shanxi Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., Vice President of Strategy & Investment at Shanxi International Electricity Group Limited Company, and Managing Director and Investment Review Board Director at Chinastone Capital Management Limited. Mr. Xue currently maintains his role as President and Director of the Investment Review Board of Beijing Tairui Innovation Capital Management Co. Ltd. Mr. Xue is now President and CEO of Western Resources Corp., the parent company of Western Potash Corp.

Mr. Xue earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Beijing Jiaotong University and was certified as a lawyer in 1999.

Mr. Mark Fracchia joined Western Resources (“Western”) board in March 2022. He is appointed as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. He is currently also an independent director at both March Consulting Associates Inc., and STC Industrial Contracting.

Mr. Fracchia brings over 30 years of management, executive and director experience to Western. He is well connected in the potash world and has a track record of accomplishments in leadership, strategy, vision and, in particular, innovative potash mining technology. His extensive career encompasses roles such as Technical Superintendent, General Manager at multiple Potash sites, Vice President of Safety, Health, Environmental & Security, culminating in his appointment as President, all within the organization now known as Nutrien, formerly PotashCorp.

Mr. Fracchia graduated from the University of Saskatchewan majoring in Chemical Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Andrew Hancharyk joined the board of Western Resources Corp. in March 2021, serving also on the Company’s Audit Committee in his capacity as an independent director. He is currently an independent director of Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. and a consultant with focus in legal, finance and investment services.

Andrew was Director of Corporate Services for The County of the Corporation of Prince Edward, Picton, ON (Oct 2018 to Sep 2019); Chief Legal Officer of Largo Resources Ltd., (May 2013 to Jul 2015); Senior Legal Counsel and Consultant for CHC Helicopter Group, (Oct 2010 to Nov 2012); National Policy Manager of TMX Group - TSX Venture Exchange, Vancouver, BC (Nov 2007 to Feb 2010); General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Vancouver, BC (Sep 2005 to Sep 2007) and Associate Counsel of Sherritt International Corporation/Sherritt Power Corporation, Toronto, ON (Jul 1998 to Aug 2005).

Andrew is a corporate and securities lawyer with a business degree, a JD/LL.B and a Master of Laws from the University of Ottawa.

Mr. Raymond Lu joined Western Resources (“Western”) board in March 2024. He is also appointed as Western’s Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Lu is currently a partner in the Vancouver-based accounting firm- Manning Elliott LLP since 2010.

Mr. Lu brings over 20 years of public practice experience in assurance services to public companies mainly in the manufacturing and resource industries. His experiences extend to tax planning, structure and compliance, assurance, consulting and advisory services to private and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to 1996, Mr. Lu was CFO of a private company in Hong Kong.

Mr. Lu has a Bachelor’s degree (with honors) in Accountancy. He obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 2000.  

Mark Fracchia joined the Western Potash Corp. Executive Committee board in May 2022. He also serves on the Western Resources Corp. board.

Mr. Fracchia brings over 30 years of management, executive and director experience to Western. He is well connected in the potash world and has a track record of accomplishments in leadership, strategy, vision and, in particular, innovative potash mining technology. His extensive career encompasses roles such as Technical Superintendent, General Manager at multiple Potash sites, Vice President of Safety, Health, Environmental & Security, culminating in his appointment as President, all within the organization now known as Nutrien, formerly PotashCorp.

Mr. Fracchia graduated from the University of Saskatchewan majoring in Chemical Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan.