Technology Deployment Manager, Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains / Batteries and Critical Materials, U.S Department of Energy 

Daniel Shapiro is a technology strategist and deployment leader dedicated to building the United States’ next-generation clean energy economy. As Technology Deployment Manager in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains (MESC), Daniel works at the intersection of innovation, policy, and industry—helping scale domestic manufacturing capacity and advancing a truly circular battery ecosystem.

At DOE, his efforts focus on expanding battery manufacturing and recycling infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign critical minerals, and strengthening supply chain resilience. He is deeply engaged in initiatives such as the 48C program, which invests in clean energy manufacturing and recycling facilities across the country. By driving collaboration between government, industry, and technology developers, Daniel is accelerating the recovery and reuse of essential battery materials—critical for reducing mining demand, lowering lifecycle emissions, and building a sustainable EV future.

With a career anchored in sustainability and innovation—from product development to federal deployment strategy—Daniel is committed to pushing the limits of how new technologies and industries come to life.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Daniel Shapiro will share key insights into how the Department of Energy is catalyzing domestic recycling capacity and supporting the EV community. His perspective will illuminate the opportunities for recyclers, manufacturers, and innovators to align with federal initiatives, unlock investment, and build a resilient, circular battery supply chain for the nation.

Co Founder and Chief Innovation Officer,
ElectraMet

Dr. Cameron Lippert is a visionary cleantech entrepreneur and the Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at ElectraMet, where he leads the development of breakthrough technologies for sustainable water, energy, and critical materials recovery. With a unique ability to bridge chemistry, engineering, and business strategy, Cameron has spent his career transforming cutting-edge science into commercially viable solutions that tackle some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.

At ElectraMet, Cameron drives innovation at the intersection of circular economy and clean technology. The company’s advanced carbon electrode platform enables chemical-free removal and recovery of heavy metals—an innovation that is reshaping industrial water treatment and playing a pivotal role in electric vehicle battery recycling. By making impurity removal more efficient, reliable, and sustainable, ElectraMet is helping recyclers and manufacturers alike maximize recovery yields, reduce hazardous waste, and strengthen the circular supply of critical materials like copper and other battery-relevant metals.

Recognized with honors including Cleantech Open’s Best Midwest Company, Blue Tech’s Most Innovative Technology Award, and a 2024 listing among America’s Top Greentech Companies, Cameron is widely regarded as a leader at the frontier of resource recovery and sustainability.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Dr. Cameron Lippert will share his insights on how innovative water and metals recovery technologies can unlock new value streams for recyclers, reduce environmental impact, and enable the EV ecosystem to meet rising demand for critical materials through circularity. His perspective highlights how science-driven innovation, when paired with entrepreneurial execution, can accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

Founder and CEO,
Scharf Energy Consulting LLC

Dr. Jonathan Scharf is a battery technologist, entrepreneur, and energy strategist dedicated to strengthening America’s clean energy future through innovation in storage, recycling, and supply chain resilience. As Founder & CEO of SkyTerra Group, he leads a consulting and advisory firm focused on accelerating battery and renewable energy solutions—bridging advanced materials science, scalable manufacturing, and actionable strategy.

With deep expertise in electrochemical engineering and battery degradation mechanisms, Jonathan’s work emphasizes designing longer-lasting batteries while also ensuring robust end-of-life pathways. He is a strong advocate for building a circular battery economy, where recycling and resource recovery minimize waste, lower costs, and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals like lithium, graphite, and manganese. His perspective on recycling highlights both the challenges—such as manual disassembly and lithium reactivity—and the opportunities, as new technologies make material recovery increasingly efficient and profitable.

Today, through SkyTerra and his leadership role with CleanTX, Jonathan works across the energy ecosystem to align industry, technology, and policy. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Nanoengineering from UC San Diego, with widely cited publications in Science and Nature Nanotechnology on advanced batteries and degradation characterization.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Dr. Jonathan Scharf will share his insights on how recycling and critical mineral recovery can drive a resilient domestic supply chain, reduce environmental impacts, and extend the life of EV batteries. His session will provide the EV community with a clear view of how technological advancement, circularity, and supply chain strategy intersect to secure the future of clean mobility.

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Princeton NuEnergy

Dr. Chao Yan is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Princeton NuEnergy (PNE), a pioneer in advanced lithium-ion battery recycling technologies. With a background in physical chemistry and battery materials, Chao has dedicated his career to building sustainable solutions that transform how critical minerals are recovered, reused, and reintegrated into the clean energy economy.

At Princeton NuEnergy, he leads the commercialization of the company’s patented low-temperature plasma-assisted separation (LPAS™) technology—a direct recycling process that rejuvenates and reuses cathode and anode materials without the need for harsh chemicals or high-temperature smelting. This breakthrough method achieves recovery rates of up to 98% while reducing energy consumption by 70% and cutting recycling costs by more than 40% compared to conventional processes. The environmental benefits are equally profound: lower water use, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the elimination of toxic leaching and refining waste.

Under Chao’s leadership, PNE has scaled rapidly, launching its first pilot line in Texas and a flagship commercial facility in South Carolina with the capacity to recycle materials from more than 100,000 EV batteries annually. The company has earned recognition as one of the most impactful climate tech startups in the U.S.

Chao’s passion for circular economy solutions is rooted in his early experiences growing up near heavy industry, which shaped his mission to build technologies that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible. With a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and research experience at Princeton University, he combines deep scientific expertise with entrepreneurial drive to deliver transformative industrial solutions.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Dr. Chao Yan will share his vision for how direct recycling technologies can redefine the economics and sustainability of EV battery recycling—offering recyclers, automakers, and policymakers a pathway to secure critical materials, lower environmental impacts, and accelerate the transition to a resilient, circular battery supply chain.

Co-founder and Senior Partner,
Archimedes Industrial Advisory & Investment

Patrick Curran is an entrepreneur and industry strategist with more than 35 years of leadership experience across battery recycling, water treatment, and advanced manufacturing. As Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Archimedes Industrial Advisory & Investments (AIAI), Patrick advises global clients on plant modernization, hazardous waste and metal recovery, emissions reduction, and large-scale recycling infrastructure—bringing technical depth and practical insight to some of the industry’s most pressing challenges.

Patrick is widely recognized as both a proponent and a pragmatist in battery recycling. He emphasizes the critical role lead-acid recycling will continue to play for the next decade, while also analyzing the fast-evolving lithium-ion market with a measured perspective. He cautions against overbuilding lithium recycling capacity given the slower return flow of EV batteries, the rise of second-life applications, and the market shift toward chemistries such as LFP and sodium-ion—which could challenge profitability and reshape recycling economics.

Through Archimedes, Patrick guides mergers and acquisitions, production line design, material recovery innovation, and operational growth strategies worldwide. His work blends engineering expertise with market foresight, ensuring companies are positioned to thrive in both established and emerging segments of the circular economy.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Patrick Curran will offer a candid, market-grounded perspective on the future of recycling. He will explore how lead-acid and lithium-ion recycling can coexist, how evolving chemistries may alter economic models, and how recyclers can balance investment with long-term market realities—providing invaluable insight for operators, investors, and policymakers shaping the next era of sustainable energy storage.

Chief Technology Officer,
KULR Technology Group, Inc.

Dr. William Q. Walker is the Chief Technology Officer of KULR Technology Group, where he leads the development and commercialization of advanced battery safety and thermal management technologies. With over a decade of expertise spanning NASA, UL Research Institutes, and private industry, William has become one of the foremost authorities on lithium-ion battery thermal behavior, failure analysis, and safe system design.

At KULR, he directs engineering teams advancing solutions to prevent thermal runaway, mitigate cell-to-cell propagation, and design battery systems that meet the most stringent safety standards—from crewed spacecraft to grid-scale energy storage. His leadership has also driven KULR’s expansion into the EV recycling ecosystem, where the company’s SafeCASE™ technology provides a secure logistics platform for transporting damaged, defective, and end-of-life batteries. Partnerships with Cirba Solutions and Heritage Battery Recycling have positioned KULR as a critical enabler of safe, scalable, and compliant recycling supply chains.

Prior to joining KULR, William spent nearly a decade at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, pioneering thermal control systems for the Orion spacecraft, International Space Station, and Human Landing System. His groundbreaking work in fractional thermal runaway calorimetry (FTRC) has set new benchmarks for understanding battery failure mechanisms and is now being leveraged by both NASA and the Department of Energy to improve battery safety across industries.

Dr. Walker holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Houston and has authored multiple publications on lithium-ion safety, calorimetry, and thermal management. He continues to mentor the next generation of engineers while pushing the frontiers of battery innovation.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, William Walker will share how next-generation safety architectures and transport solutions are redefining the economics and feasibility of lithium-ion recycling—empowering recyclers, manufacturers, and regulators to manage risk, protect workers, and accelerate the growth of a sustainable, circular battery supply chain.

Founder & CTO,
EcoX Energy Inc.

Alex Xia, Ph.D. is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of EcoX Energy Inc., a company dedicated to delivering cost-effective, high-performance lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials for the rapidly growing EV and energy storage sectors. With over 15 years of experience spanning metallurgy, battery recycling, and materials engineering, Alex has built a reputation as an innovator in bridging laboratory breakthroughs with scalable industrial manufacturing.

Before launching EcoX Energy in 2025, Alex served as CTO of Austin Elements Inc., where he spearheaded technology development in battery recycling and critical mineral extraction. His career also includes roles as an Associate Professor at Central South University, where he advanced hydrometallurgy and battery recycling research, and as a Research Associate at the University of Utah, leading DOE-funded projects on titanium extraction and advanced powder metallurgy.

EcoX Energy is pioneering an approach that integrates upstream recyclers with downstream users to create sustainable LFP cathodes that are affordable, locally produced, and aligned with circular economy principles. The company’s mission is to strengthen the clean energy transition by reducing reliance on volatile nickel and cobalt markets, while enhancing safety, scalability, and environmental performance in battery materials supply chains.

Alex holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of Queensland and a B.E. in Metallurgical Engineering from Central South University. His vision is to reshape the cathode market through innovation, efficiency, and sustainability—ensuring that LFP becomes the backbone of safe, cost-stable, and environmentally responsible energy storage.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Alex will share insights on how sustainable cathode manufacturing and localized recycling strategies are redefining the economics of the EV and stationary storage markets, and why LFP is poised to lead the next wave of battery innovation.

Founder & CEO,
Battery Metals, Inc.

Derek Ramsell is the Founder and CEO of Battery Metals, Inc., a North Carolina–based company pioneering next-generation recycling technologies to recover critical minerals from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Drawing on his background in gold mining, commodities arbitrage, and metallurgical process engineering, Derek has dedicated his career to building scalable solutions that transform waste into valuable resources.

Battery Metals, Inc. is developing a 2,000 MT/year lithium battery shredding and hydrometallurgical refining facility capable of recovering over 98% of critical materials such as lithium carbonate, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, and copper—without the pollution and high costs associated with traditional smelting or burning. The company is also advancing a “Phase 2” breakthrough technology that Derek believes will redefine recycling economics and reshape the domestic supply of cathode materials.

With a vision rooted in both profitability and sustainability, Derek champions the need for circular supply chains that keep valuable materials in use while minimizing environmental impact. His work is grounded in the conviction that battery recycling must be not only technologically feasible, but also economically viable and domestically scalable.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Derek Ramsell will share how innovations in hydrometallurgical recovery, facility design, and market strategy are unlocking a new era for recycling—one that strengthens U.S. supply chains, supports the EV transition, and creates long-term economic and environmental value.

Co-Founder & CTO,
Aepnus Technology

Dr. Bilen Akuzum is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Aepnus Technology, a company tackling one of the most overlooked environmental challenges in the battery supply chain: sodium sulfate waste. With a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and postdoctoral research experience at the University of California, Berkeley, Bilen brings a uniquely interdisciplinary expertise across metallurgy, electrochemistry, carbon materials, and mechanical engineering—bridging advanced science with practical, scalable solutions.

At Aepnus, Bilen leads the development of the company’s patented electrolyzer platform, a breakthrough system that transforms sodium sulfate—an abundant byproduct of battery manufacturing and recycling—into high-value chemicals like sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. These regenerated inputs can be reused directly in cathode production, copper refining, and other industrial processes, enabling a true circular economy for critical chemicals. The process is not only 50% more energy efficient than conventional electrolysis but also avoids reliance on expensive rare-earth catalysts, making it cost-competitive and highly scalable.

By addressing the growing sodium sulfate challenge head-on, Aepnus is creating a pathway to reduced waste, lower disposal costs, faster permitting, and strengthened domestic supply chains for essential battery materials. Bilen’s leadership ensures that the company’s innovation not only reduces environmental impact but also supports the broader decarbonization of manufacturing and recycling ecosystems.

Prior to founding Aepnus, Bilen contributed to electrochemical desalination innovations at H2Only Technology Inc. and has authored peer-reviewed publications on energy storage, flow batteries, and advanced nanomaterials. He is also an Activate Fellow, recognized for translating breakthrough research into real-world climate solutions.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Dr. Bilen Akuzum will share how waste-to-value electrochemical innovation is redefining the sustainability and economics of the battery supply chain—and why solving sodium sulfate is essential to scaling a clean energy future.

Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder,
Currents

Tyler Helps is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Currents, a business-to-business marketplace redefining the end-of-life EV and hybrid battery supply chain. With more than a decade of hands-on experience in the industry, Tyler has built deep expertise spanning the entire battery lifecycle—from production and use, to repurposing, recycling, and materials recovery.

At Currents, he leads business strategy, sales, and go-to-market execution, driving the company’s mission to enable true battery circularity. His work ensures that batteries at the end of their service life are safely, transparently, and efficiently moved through the value chain to maximize reuse and resource recovery. Through innovations like Insight Certified, a diagnostic tool developed in partnership with Midtronics to assess EV battery health and residual value, Currents is bringing critical transparency and trust to a historically opaque market.

Tyler holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, where he now serves on the Board of Advisors for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Passionate about using technology to drive sustainable mobility, he continues to champion solutions that strengthen the EV battery supply chain while reducing waste and environmental impact.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Tyler will discuss how digital marketplaces and data-driven tools are unlocking new value in the EV battery ecosystem—and why closing the loop on end-of-life batteries is critical for the future of electrification.

New Business Development Manager,
Ascend Elements

David Monk is the New Business Development Manager at Ascend Elements, a U.S.-based leader in lithium-ion battery recycling and engineered materials for sustainable batteries. In this role, David spearheaded efforts to expand the company’s commercial reach by forging partnerships, engaging customers, and supporting initiatives such as Ascend Elements’ battery collection program with Call2Recycle.

With a strong background in sales, account management, and customer development in the waste management and recycling industries, David brings deep expertise in bridging operational know-how with innovative circular economy solutions. At Ascend Elements, he has played a key role in promoting advanced technologies such as the company’s Hydro-to-Anode™ process, which enables the sustainable recovery and reuse of graphite and other critical materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. His work has also involved advancing conversations around the safe handling of black mass and the challenges of scaling battery recycling infrastructure.

Prior to Ascend Elements, David held business development and account management roles at Modern Waste Disposal, Waste Management, and Arbon Equipment Corporation, where he specialized in recycling commodities and customer solutions. This foundation has equipped him with the insight to help accelerate the adoption of advanced battery recycling technologies across the supply chain.

David holds a B.S. in Social Science from the University at Buffalo and an A.A.S. from Alfred State College. At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, he will share insights on how to build partnerships and customer engagement strategies that enable the wider adoption of circular solutions for lithium-ion batteries.

Executive Vice President,
Capgemini

Praveen Cherian is an Executive Vice President at Capgemini, where he leads strategic initiatives at the intersection of automotive innovation, electrification, and sustainability. With deep expertise in electric vehicles, battery integration, and mobility ecosystems, Praveen is a strong advocate for battery recycling and the circular economy as essential pillars of the clean energy transition.

At Capgemini, his work aligns with the firm’s global efforts to accelerate the battery industry through digital simulation, advanced engineering, and ecosystem partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of integrating battery sustainability strategies into the automotive sector, including technologies such as battery swapping, auxiliary power units, and advanced data solutions. Praveen also underscores the critical role of data from end-of-life batteries, highlighting its value in improving EV design, enabling reuse strategies, and strengthening closed-loop supply chains.

He frequently contributes to industry conversations, including as a featured speaker at Battery Recycling & Reuse 2025, where he discussed how digital insights from batteries can unlock new opportunities in the circular economy. His leadership reflects Capgemini’s broader commitment to enabling sustainable energy systems, as showcased in its Research Institute reports like The Battery Revolution: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobility and Energy.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Praveen will share perspectives on how data, digital innovation, and ecosystem collaboration can accelerate the development of a sustainable and scalable battery value chain.

Global Operations Manager,
Green Li-ion

Kevin Hobbie is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Green Li-ion, a company pioneering next-generation solutions for lithium-ion battery recycling and circular supply chains. With a career dedicated to advancing sustainable innovation, Kevin plays a central role in scaling Green Li-ion’s patented Green-hydrorejuvenation™ technology—a breakthrough process that transforms unsorted battery waste, including black mass, directly into precursor cathode active material (pCAM), anode-grade graphite, and lithium carbonate.

Under his leadership, Green Li-ion is revolutionizing the recycling landscape by enabling a closed-loop system that reintroduces recovered materials straight into the manufacturing of new batteries—eliminating reliance on raw mineral extraction, reducing environmental impact, and strengthening domestic supply chains. The company’s modular hardware solutions also allow recyclers and manufacturers to deploy on-site systems, cutting down transportation costs, emissions, and inefficiencies.

A key milestone in this effort is Green Li-ion’s Atoka, Oklahoma plant, the company’s first commercial-scale facility capable of producing two metric tons of pCAM daily—enough to power more than 72,000 smartphones. This facility sets a precedent for decentralized, high-impact recycling infrastructure.

Beyond operations, Kevin is passionate about urban mining, critical mineral resilience, and the intersection of clean tech and innovation. His work reflects a commitment to building a secure and sustainable future for the EV and energy storage industries.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Kevin will share how closed-loop, modular recycling solutions are transforming the economics and sustainability of the global battery ecosystem.

Battery Recycling, Nickel & Cobalt Category Manager,
Ford Motor Company

Mitchell Regenstreif is the Battery Recycling, Nickel & Cobalt Category Manager at Ford Motor Company, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing Ford’s electrification and sustainability strategy. His work focuses on building resilient, closed-loop supply chains that ensure valuable materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper from end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap are recovered and reused in new EV battery production.

At Ford, Mitchell has been central to forging partnerships with leaders such as Redwood Materials, driving initiatives that reduce dependence on imported materials while localizing critical mineral supply chains in the U.S.. These efforts not only improve the affordability of EVs but also advance Ford’s broader mission of creating a sustainable, circular battery ecosystem.

Mitchell brings a unique perspective shaped by a career spanning mining, metals, technology, shipping, and energy transition, with hands-on experience across the entire mining lifecycle—from exploration and feasibility to operations and logistics. Prior to Ford, he held roles at Shell Digital Ventures and Shell Decarbonization, where he focused on digital innovation and decarbonization strategies for heavy industries, including mining.

Holding a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering with a minor in Environmental Engineering from McGill University and an MBA from Concordia University, Mitchell combines technical depth with commercial and strategic acumen.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Mitchell will share insights into how automakers are reshaping supply chains through recycling partnerships, domestic sourcing, and closed-loop systems—key enablers of a sustainable EV future. 

Founder and CEO,
XERA ENERGY

Haixia Casey Deng, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of XERA ENERGY, a U.S.-based company pioneering sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling and critical mineral refining. XERA ENERGY is building an integrated platform for low-carbon refining of lithium and nickel, converting spent batteries and ore concentrates into battery-grade cathode powders and other critical minerals. The company’s innovations in hydro-separation and purification processes support a true closed-loop system for cathode materials, helping to secure the U.S. supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

Dr. Deng brings more than 20 years of experience in the battery materials industry, with expertise spanning metal recycling, cathode and anode development, scale-up, and early-stage manufacturing. Before founding XERA, she served as Vice President of Cathode at Ascend Elements and held senior leadership roles at eJoule, in addition to conducting research at Argonne National Laboratory. 

She is the author of over 30 publications and patents, a recipient of the 47th R&D 100 Award for advances in Li-ion cathode materials, and has been recognized as an Inspiring Woman Leader in Energy.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Dr. Deng will share her vision for scaling sustainable refining solutions and closed-loop recycling systems that will power the next generation of clean energy technologies.

Head of Sales – Commercial,
TerraCycle

Ian Hoff is the Head of Sales – Commercial at TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials. In this role, he leads business development and partnerships that expand TerraCycle’s innovative recycling programs across industries, including specialized solutions for regulated waste such as batteries.

TerraCycle’s offerings include tailored programs for battery recycling, such as the Micro Battery Bucket, Mini Battery Bucket, Alkaline Only Battery Bucket, and General Battery Bucket. The company also operates initiatives like the Stanley Black & Decker Free Recycling Program for tools with non-removable lithium-ion batteries, while collaborating with partners like Call2Recycle for other rechargeable battery streams.

With more than seven years at TerraCycle, Ian has held progressive leadership roles, from Director of B2B Business Development to Senior Director of Global Business Development, before stepping into his current position as Head of Sales, Commercial. His work centers on building partnerships with manufacturers, enterprises, and institutions to scale recycling solutions that reduce environmental impact and support corporate sustainability goals.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Ian will highlight how innovative business models and partnerships are enabling practical, scalable recycling solutions for batteries and other complex waste streams, strengthening the foundation for a more circular economy.

Global Technical Manager ePower and Energy Storage, H.B. Fuller

Dr. Marlen Valverde is the Global Technical Manager for ePower and Energy Storage at H.B. Fuller, where she leads product development strategies that support the electrification of transportation and the future of sustainable energy systems. With over 15 years of experience in adhesives and sealants, her expertise is central to advancing technologies that not only enable safer and higher-performing EV batteries but also make them more recyclable.

At H.B. Fuller, Dr. Valverde spearheads innovations such as “Debonding on Demand” adhesives, designed to release or degrade encapsulants on command—dramatically improving the efficiency of recovering valuable cells and materials from end-of-life batteries. Her team also develops next-generation adhesive solutions like EV Seal and EV Bond, engineered for both durability and easier disassembly, ultimately streamlining repair, refurbishment, and recycling.

Beyond adhesives, her leadership integrates R&D collaboration, IP strategy, and global OEM partnerships, ensuring that H.B. Fuller’s technologies align with industry needs and the broader push for circularity in the EV sector.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Dr. Valverde will share how innovative materials science is unlocking new pathways for efficient disassembly, material recovery, and sustainability—bridging the gap between battery design, performance, and end-of-life recycling.

Group Manager – Battery Raw Materials,
Lucid Motors

Michael Parton is the Group Manager of Battery Raw Materials, Enclosure, and Recycling at Lucid Motors, where he leads the company’s upstream supply strategy for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. With a background in global supply chain management and raw materials sourcing, Parton plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Lucid’s battery program balances performance, cost, and compliance with evolving U.S. and international regulations.

At Lucid, his work extends beyond procurement—he is helping shape the company’s circular approach to battery lifecycle management. This includes advancing second-life applications for retired EV batteries in energy storage, supporting remanufacturing programs that repair and reuse battery packs, and building pathways for end-of-life recycling to recover valuable materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper.

Through his leadership, Lucid is also engaged in broader industry efforts such as the Critical Minerals Collaborative (MINAC), designed to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources. His focus aligns with Lucid’s mission to combine battery longevity, efficiency, and sustainability, underpinned by initiatives like its industry-leading warranty guaranteeing 70% capacity retention over 8 years or 100,000 miles.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Parton will share how automakers like Lucid are operationalizing battery circularity—integrating supply chain strategy, second-life innovation, and recycling partnerships to build a resilient and sustainable EV ecosystem.

VP of Business Strategy,
Bridge Green Upcycle

Ravi Gade is the Vice President of Business Strategy at Bridge Green Upcycle and the Founder & CEO of ES Technologies (formerly ES Recycle). He is a clean-tech entrepreneur and strategist dedicated to advancing circular economy models for lithium-ion battery recycling and upcycling.

At Bridge Green Upcycle, Gade drives strategic partnerships, technology integration, and market expansion to maximize material recovery from end-of-life products. The company’s mission is to revolutionize clean energy through advanced recycling and upcycling models that recover critical minerals, reduce reliance on virgin resources, and create scalable pathways toward a closed-loop economy. Its processes emphasize efficiency and environmental stewardship, aiming to leave “Nothing in the Air and Nothing on the Ground.”

As Founder & CEO of ES Technologies, Gade spearheaded the development of proprietary technologies capable of recovering up to 95% of critical battery materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. His work integrates AI, robotics, and advanced automation to enhance battery diagnostics, safe disassembly, and material repurposing—laying the foundation for scalable, sustainable solutions in the EV and energy storage markets.

With a career spanning leadership in clean-tech startups, financial services, and industrial automation, Gade combines deep technical expertise with business acumen. His focus remains on driving innovation, strengthening domestic supply chains, and accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Gade will share how Bridge Green Upcycle and ES Technologies are building the next generation of closed-loop battery recycling systems—leveraging technology, partnerships, and strategy to meet the growing demand for critical materials while minimizing environmental impact.

VP Engineering,
ONE | Our Next Energy

Nathan Saliga is the Vice President of Engineering at Our Next Energy (ONE), a Michigan-based energy storage technology company pioneering sustainable battery solutions for electric vehicles and grid-scale applications. He is a seasoned electrification leader and battery systems engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, spanning roles in high-voltage battery design, pack systems, and advanced powertrain calibration.

At ONE, Saliga leads engineering strategy and execution for next-generation battery technologies, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and anode-free chemistries. These innovations prioritize safety, sustainability, and cost efficiency while reducing dependence on high-cost or conflict-prone materials like nickel and cobalt. His work supports ONE’s mission to build a localized and sustainable battery supply chain in North America, enabling cleaner mobility and energy storage solutions at scale.

Previously, Saliga held key roles at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA/Stellantis) and Electric Last Mile Solutions (ELMS), where he advanced high-voltage battery hardware, pack systems engineering, and electrified powertrain calibration. His expertise bridges mechanical and electrical engineering, with a proven record of scaling battery technologies from concept through production.

While ONE’s core focus is on developing long-lasting, high-performance battery systems, the company’s broader mission aligns with circular economy principles—including extending battery life, enabling reuse in second-life energy storage, and supporting recycling pathways to recover critical minerals.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Saliga will share insights into how innovative pack design and next-generation chemistries can reduce reliance on newly mined materials and enable more sustainable battery lifecycle management.

Director of Business Development,
Blue Whale Materials LLC

Christina Chilcote, PhD, is the Director of Business Development at Blue Whale Materials LLC, a U.S.-based leader in lithium-ion battery recycling and circular supply chain innovation. With a unique background that bridges 20 years in international security and business relations and advanced academic training in anthropology, Chilcote brings a global, systems-level perspective to the fast-evolving EV battery ecosystem.

At Blue Whale Materials, she spearheads commercial growth strategy, building critical feedstock and offtake partnerships, securing supply agreements, and expanding the company’s domestic and international footprint. Blue Whale’s proprietary process enables the recovery of up to 98% of critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium from end-of-life EV packs, consumer batteries, and production scrap. These recovered materials are transformed into Blacksand™, a premium product designed to re-enter the battery manufacturing stream—helping to close the loop for an ethically sourced and secure supply of essential materials.

Headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with operations in the U.S. and Korea, Blue Whale Materials is scaling as a pivotal player in the North American recycling sector. Chilcote’s leadership in forging partnerships ensures the company is at the forefront of delivering domestic collection, testing, and processing solutions that strengthen the battery supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

A recognized industry voice, she has spoken at events such as WasteExpo 2025, where she offered waste management leaders insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities of lithium-ion battery recycling.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Christina Chilcote will highlight how innovative recovery technologies and strategic collaboration can unlock a resilient, circular supply of critical minerals for the electrified economy.

COO,
American Battery Technology Company

Steven Wu is the Chief Operating Officer of American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), where he leads the company’s efforts to scale first-of-kind lithium-ion battery recycling and primary battery minerals manufacturing technologies into full-scale commercial operations. Appointed in 2024, Wu is focused on accelerating ABTC’s transition from pilot projects—including its integrated battery recycling facility—into high-volume, revenue-generating operations that strengthen North America’s domestic supply chain.

With a career spanning leadership roles at Rivian, Nuro, Uber, and Apple, Wu has deep expertise in scaling novel technologies into mass production. This experience directly supports ABTC’s mission of creating a circular, closed-loop battery manufacturing ecosystem in the U.S. by supplying sustainably sourced lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite.

ABTC’s proprietary recycling process combines automated demanufacturing and selective hydrometallurgy to achieve recovery rates above 90%, while avoiding energy-intensive smelting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By prioritizing environmental stewardship and resource efficiency, the company delivers battery-grade materials with a lower carbon footprint—helping to meet the surging demand for EVs and energy storage systems.

At the EV Battery Recycling Summit USA, Steven Wu will share insights on how to scale advanced recycling technologies, commercialize sustainable battery materials production, and accelerate the transition to a resilient North American supply chain.

Director of Business Development,
ReJoule

David Mauer is the Director of Business Development at ReJoule, a California-based company pioneering advanced diagnostics for electric vehicle (EV) batteries to enable a more efficient and sustainable circular economy. With a strong background in business development, sales, and partnerships across the energy storage and battery sectors, Mauer has successfully driven growth strategies for startups and global organizations alike.

At ReJoule, he focuses on expanding commercial relationships and bringing innovative battery testing solutions to market. ReJoule’s diagnostic technology—built on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and machine learning—allows for highly accurate state-of-health assessments, ensuring that end-of-life batteries are directed toward their best second-life applications, such as reuse in vehicles or repurposing for stationary storage, before recycling.

Mauer has been an active voice in the industry, speaking at conferences such as Battery Recycling & Reuse 2025, where he highlights the role of diagnostics in reducing waste, recovering value, and optimizing battery lifecycle management. His career also includes leadership roles at TWAICE and Renewance, where he advanced software and services for battery lifecycle management and recycling.

With an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BS in Economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, David Mauer combines strategic insight with hands-on expertise to accelerate sustainable solutions in the EV battery ecosystem.