Vast Exploration fka VST

[Tackler]

Vast Exploration appoints Garner to board

2008-06-19 10:51 MT - News Release

Mr. Stan Bharti reports

VAST APPOINTS GENERAL JAY GARNER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COLONEL RICHARD NABB AS VICE PRESIDENT-KURDISTAN OPERATIONS

Vast Exploration Inc. has appointed General (U.S. Army, retired) Jay M. Garner to the board of directors of the company. Gen. Garner has been involved as an adviser to Vast and to Forbes & Manhattan Inc. in the recent acquisition of an oil block in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. In addition, Vast has appointed Colonel Richard Nabb to the position of vice-president, Kurdistan operations. Col. Nabb is based in Erbil, Kurdistan. Both Gen. Garner and Col. Nabb have extensive experience in Kurdistan and were involved in Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq in 1991 which led to the establishment of the no fly zone which led to the preservation of the Kurdistan region within northern Iraq.

Stan Bharti, chairman of the board of directors, commented: "We are delighted to add Gen. Garner and Col. Nabb to our organization. Jay's and Dick's distinguished experience and political knowledge of the area will prove invaluable to our shareholders as we undertake our project in the Kurdistan region of Iraq."

Gen. Garner's military career culminated with his being assistant vice-chief of staff, U.S. Army. Prior assignments include commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command (USASSDC), headquartered in Arlington, Va.; assistant deputy chief of staff for force development, office of the deputy chief of staff for operations and plans, Washington, at the Pentagon; deputy commanding general, V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany; and deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Air Defense School. In January, 2003, Gen. Garner was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to organize and direct the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) for postwar Iraq.

In 1991, Gen. Garner was appointed commanding general, Joint Task Force Bravo for Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq. Under his leadership, a coalition of American, British, French and Italian forces provided humanitarian relief assistance to the Iraqi Kurds.

After his retirement from the military, Gen. Garner became president of SYTechnology. From 2000 to 2001, he was a member of the congressionally mandated commission to assess United States national security space management and organization.

Col. Nabb was the commander of the allied forces in northern Iraq in 1991 where he was largely responsible for implementing a humanitarian effort to assist and resettle many of the destroyed villages. In 2003, he was appointed as north regional co-ordinator for the Coalition Provisional Authority, where he was responsible for the administration of seven northern governorates (including Kurdistan) from a military and economic perspective. Through his extensive experience in the region, Col. Nabb has been able to establish key relationships with the political leadership that will be a significant advantage as the company progresses to set up its operations.

"Vast is very pleased to add Col. Nabb as a member of our executive team. His knowledge and experience will greatly enhance our capabilities and planned initiatives as we move forward," added Ahmed Said, president and chief executive officer.

The company has accepted the resignation of Dean Louis as a member of the board of directors. The company wishes to thank Mr. Louis for his guidance and contribution to the company's domestic initiatives over the past few years.