Management
B. MATTHEW HORNoR
CEO
B. Matthew Hornor, a longtime leader in international project development, has contributed to some of the world’s most significant copper and polymetallic discoveries through his work with the Ivanhoe Capital Group, including the Oyu Tolgoi, Platreef, and Kamoa-Kakula projects.
With more than 30 years working in Japan’s academic and business communities, Mr. Hornor has built a reputation for forging strong cross-border partnerships and securing major strategic investments. He played a central role in arranging a $300+ million investment into the Platreef project from a Japanese consortium composed of Itochu, JOGMEC, and JGC Corporation, and earlier helped advance the Ivanhoe Mines SX-EW copper operation backed by Marubeni and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Mr. Hornor’s ability to bridge Western resource developers with Asian capital brings a rare combination of technical insight, international dealmaking expertise, and global perspective, strengthening Falcon Copper’s capacity to responsibly advance high-quality U.S. copper assets for the nation’s future.
Travis Naugle
CHAIRMAN
Travis Naugle serves as Executive Chairman of Falcon Copper and is a mining executive and licensed Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in the gold, copper, and strategic metals sector. His background spans the full project lifecycle from discovery and engineering through construction, commissioning, and operations across the Western United States, Alaska, Russia, and Eurasia.
Mr. Naugle has held senior roles on major mining developments including the Kupol gold-silver project with Bema Gold (acquired by Kinross for $3 billion) and the Kensington gold mine project with Coeur Mining, and has led the financing, development, and liquidity exits of multiple mining operations. He currently focuses on advancing critical minerals exploration and development initiatives in Nevada, Arizona, Montana, and Alaska, including joint ventures and operating partnerships with Rio Tinto and Freeport-McMoRan.
Mr. Naugle holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from Montana Tech, and is a Qualified Person (QP-MMSA) in Mine Valuation & Finance.
Phil Nickerson
VP Exploration
Dr. Phil Nickerson is an accomplished economic geologist with deep expertise in base and precious metals exploration across the United States, bringing a strong scientific foundation to Falcon Copper’s growing portfolio of domestic copper projects. Raised in Wyoming and trained at the University of Arizona, he has published influential research on the copper systems of the American Southwest, contributing to the broader understanding of one of the nation’s most important mining regions.
Dr. Nickerson previously served as a Senior Geologist at EMX Royalty Corp before joining Rio Tinto, where he advanced through key roles including Principal Geologist for North American copper exploration and Technical Geology Lead supporting Rio Tinto’s Nuton venture. Prior to joining Falcon Copper, he served as Exploration Manager, USA at Rio Tinto, overseeing regional exploration programs and geologic strategy. He holds a B.S. in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Wyoming, along with M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geoscience from the University of Arizona and is a Past-President of the Wyoming Geological Association.
Ryan Moss
CFO
Ryan Moss is an experienced energy and infrastructure executive with a strong background in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic finance. He most recently served as chief financial officer of Lucid Energy Group, a Permian Basin-focused infrastructure company majority owned by Goldman Sachs and Riverstone Holdings, until Lucid’s sale to Targa Resources in 2022.
Prior to joining Lucid, Mr. Moss was a partner at Perella Weinberg Partners, a leading independent financial services firm, where he advised energy companies on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions. Earlier in his career, he held investment banking roles at Morgan Stanley and UBS, focusing on coverage of U.S. super-majors, large-cap independents, and midstream energy companies.
Mr. Moss has been active in nonprofit and educational leadership, including board service with the Momentous Institute, the Ginger Murchison Foundation, and Uplift Education, where he served as chairman of the board. He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas and an MBA from Columbia Business School.