Top Shelf Partners

Georgia 2025 | May 14th-16th

Institutions

Participating Companies

Keynotes

John Feneck

Feneck Consulting

John began his career in 1992 as an equity analyst on the Merrill Lynch global allocation fund (MALOX). From 1993-2019, John was a senior executive for Mutual Fund and ETF providers, spending most of his career at Merrill Lynch Funds (now Blackrock) and JP Morgan Chase Funds. He was ranked #1 in both gross and net sales once at Merrill Lynch and three times at JP Morgan Chase (out of 40 senior executives.)  He has contributed articles to Kitco since 2017 and was asked to be a regular contributor to Kitco in June of 2021. Kitco is the world's leading source of information about metals and mining over the past 40+ years, and has over 620,000 followers. John has made multiple appearances on Kitco as a featured guest, has been the keynote speaker at over 250 client seminars and webinars and has been a speaker at 12 global commodities events.
 
He was a member of the precious metals PM team at Sprott in 2017 and has developed a compelling track record (see performance tab) based on a proprietary methodology, which combines technical analysis with public information gathered from direct interaction with senior management of commodities companies. He believes that building a diversified portfolio of 25 to 50 exceptional resource stocks is critical to success. The commodities sector is the most volatile of all sectors, so John's "go anywhere" approach allows him greater flexibility than the average PM, who is many times constrained by prospectus language such as holding 5% or less in any one stock, focusing on tax-efficiency at the potential expense of total return, being 80% invested at all times, etc.
 
In September 2019, John started Feneck Consulting Group, LLC, based on demand from commodity companies, especially those in the metals and mining sector. The enterprise also works with HNW Financial Advisors and clients, educating them about the opportunities and risks in the financial markets and, specifically, in the commodities markets. To learn more about John's background, please visit his LinkedIn profile.  He has passed the series 7, series 63, CMFC and CIMA level one, but is not a licensed advisor, RIA or CPA at present, as he is focusing more of his efforts on consulting.
 
John lives in Scottsdale, AZ and is a single Dad to an amazing 11 year old daughter that is his best friend. On the weekends, he is a professional musician and enjoys performing and writing music, along with playing sports and traveling.

Peter O’Rourke 

TCI Partners / NAVR

Peter O’Rourke is an accomplished leader with over 27 years of diverse experience across federal government roles, the critical minerals sector, and Veteran advocacy. His extensive background uniquely positions him to offer valuable insights into the intersection of commodities, national security, and supply chain management. As a senior U.S. government appointee, Mr O’Rourke served as Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and VA Chief of Staff. He was instrumental in the passage of the landmark VA MISSION Act, stood up the VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and was integral to the modernization of the VA’s electronic health record system, demonstrating his strategic vision and leadership acumen.

Mr. O’Rourke has held pivotal roles in the private sector, focusing on executive leadership, operations, market strategy, M&A, communications, and government relations. He formerly served as the President of U.S. Operations for Western Magnesium Corporation, a disruptive materials technology company, and as an advisor for M2I, an emerging U.S. domestic critical minerals and metals group. His work with organizations such as Accenture, Blackland Group, and Calibre Systems underscores his diverse skill set and commitment to driving innovation and efficiency.

Mr. O’Rourke’s military background further enriches his expertise. With eight years as a U.S. Air Force Logistician and Supply Chain professional, coupled with his experience as a Navy enlisted plane captain and Air Force officer, he deeply understands supply chain management and national security. His Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification adds to his credentials, emphasizing his ability to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.

He is a managing partner of TCI Partners and currently serves as President of the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) as he continues to champion Veteran advocacy, reflecting his dedication to serving those who have served our nation. His unique blend of experience in critical minerals, federal government roles, and Veteran advocacy makes him a sought-after speaker and thought leader, especially on topics related to securing critical minerals for national defense and economic security in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.

Erik Wetterling

The Hedgeless Horseman

Erik Wetterling is a full-time investor with over a decade of experience in the junior mining resource sector. Possessing 2 degrees in Economics, Erik combines a strong academic foundation with the strategic mindset developed during his career as a professional poker player — a background that has proven invaluable as an investor in the mining sector. Drawing on lessons learned from playing poker, Erik applies a deep understanding of probabilities, risk-reward dynamics, and the psychological discipline required to stay objective in a volatile market. His approach is unconstrained, which lends itself to a higher-risk/ higher-reward outcome in certain time periods. He regularly shares his research publicly and is a frequent guest on industry-focused podcasts.

Agenda

3:00-5:45pm Registration
6:00-7:00pm Cocktail Reception
7:00-9:00pm Formal Dinner
3:00-5:45pm Registration
6:00-7:00pm Cocktail Reception
7:00-9:00pm Formal Dinner
7:00-8:00am Buffet Breakfast
8:00-4:30pm 1 on 1 Meetings
5:00-6:30pm Cocktail Reception
6:30-9:00pm Small group dinners held throughout the metro area