Our Team

Management

Dr. Chao Yan

Founder and CEO

Research Scientist in Princeton University.
Co-inventor of direct recycling of lithium batteries technology.
Over 30+ high impact publications and 40+ conference presentations in energy field. Expert in physical chemistry and battery materials.
Serial entrepreneur since 2014. Experienced in business administration and operation. Passionate in both science and business.

Dr. Xiaofang Yang

Co-Founder and CTO

Ex-researcher of Brookhaven National Lab, Princeton University and Columbia University.

15+ years research in energy materials, fuel cells, and lithium-ion materials and has over 40+ high impact papers and 60+ conferences talks and posters.

Peng Zhao

COO
Former Senior Manager of Panasonic North America, in charge of Strategy Planning and Global Program Management.
Over 10 years of experience in the global business deployment.
Previously in charge of emerging technology incubation and product commercialization in Panasonic Innovation Center North America.
Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, PMP Certified.

Stephen Snyder

CSO

Former Managing Partner with Accenture with 30+ years of technology, business launch, strategy experience in the utility generation/distribution, nuclear and telecom, as well as high-tech sectors across US, Greater China, North Asia, Europe. Executive-in-Residence at Princeton University and Board member with the Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College.  
 
Board member and Treasurer of New York Angels and former partner with the Clean Energy Venture Group (CEVG).  Board advisor for 5+ active and successful Princeton University spinouts and other companies within the energy, high-tech, electronics, and manufacturing domains. 

Dr. Jinyun (Jared) Liao

Director of R&D

Ex-researcher of University of Texas at Austin, University of Missouri-Columbia, and Sun Yat-sen University.

Former Director of Research and Senior Scientist in Storagenergy, holds more than 13 years of experience working on battery materials, including extensive experience with production of Ni-rich layered oxides cathode materials and cathode/anode materials recycling. He has over 40+ high impact papers and 20+ conferences talks and posters.

PhD in Material Science.

Dr. Andy Zhang

Director of Engineering

Former Senior Battery Product Manager in SGS and Stryten Energy, holds years of experience on the energy storage product line development, manufacturing SPC analysis and continuous improvement, battery safety test and analysis for renowned companies that comply with international regulations. 

PhD in Engineering and material scientist.

Shawn Turner

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Former Senior Sales Manager at Panasonic leading the e-mobility sales strategy for venture EV companies in North America.

Over 10 years in sales and marketing within the Li-ion rechargeable battery industry. 20 years in product marketing, and sales of capital equipment in Siemens, Hirata on a global scale.

Marine veteran.

Lawrence Leighton

VP of Industry Growth

Former Managing Director of several leading investment banks, including Chase Investment Bank, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of UI USA, the US subsidiary of Union d’Ètudes et d’Investissements, the merchant banking arm of Credit Agricôle, with decades of extensive experience in international investment banking, mergers, and acquisitions. Previously represented major companies, including Pernod Ricard and Verizon Communications Inc., and government agencies in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Mr. Leighton holds a BSE degree in engineering from Princeton and an MBA degree from Harvard.

Janet Robertson

Director of Government Affairs and Communications

Former U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officer (ret.) serving in Washington, D.C., New Jersey and at the U.S. Embassy, Beijing, China where she worked closely with U.S. companies, federal and state leadership and economic development teams, and led SelectUSA for Mission China.

Over 25 years in private sector international business development and global marketing executive roles in the Fortune 100 (Sony), new technologies (Panamsat, Healthscape) and non-profit sector (Sesame Workshop).

Ms. Robertson holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from Tufts University.

Arsalan Khan

Marketing Manager

Former Marketing Analyst with Penn Power Group, over 8 years of experience and knowledge of B2B and Digital Marketing in the renewable energy industry.

Arsalan has worked with various Fortune 500 companies including Google — successfully launching Chromebooks in various markets.

B.S in Marketing

Advisory Board

Dr. Bruce E. Koel

Co-founder

Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University.

Leading expert in the field of materials and surface science with 40+ years experience.

Peter Ort

Financial Advisor
Previously a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and Karsch Capital. General Partner at Cambium Capital.

Dr. Huolin Xin

Battery Advisor
Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy , University of California, Irvine.
Leading expert in lithium-ion battery, fuel cells, electron microscopy, electro- and thermal catalyst.

Dr. Chris Mi

Technology/Industry Advisor
Distinguished Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering, San Diego State University.
Leading expert in electric and hybrid vehicles. Fellow IEEE & SAE.

Dr. Robert Benson

IP Advisor

Consultant with twenty-five years’ experience in technology transfer helping clients with patent and licensing needs.

Stephen Snyder

Strategic Advisor

Former Managing Partner with Accenture with 30+ years of technology, business launch, strategy experience. Member of the Clean Energy Venture Group (CEVG).

Dr. Jay Zhou

Industrial Advisor

Vice President of Ford Asia Pacific Quality and New Model Launch, Corporate Executive Technical Leader and member of Technology Advisory Board.
Fellow of American Society for Quality and Chief Technical Expert of ASQ Shanghai.