Meet the Team

Andre Zeitoun is the Founder and CEO of Ionic Mineral Technologies, a U.S.-based innovation leader in advanced, next generation battery materials. Andre is highly regarded for his leadership in the commercialization of halloysite clay nanotubes. Andre has dedicated over a decade of his career to this unique mineral and established himself as a pioneer in the commercialization of Halloysite for specialty applications. A seasoned leader formerly working on Wall St. and as an executive of a public company, Andre is well positioned to grow his company and accelerate the path to an electrified future.

andre@ionicmt.com

Eric Miller is the Chief Financial Officer at Ionic MT. Eric is a growth-focused executive with a successful track record launching technology and advanced manufacturing businesses. Most recently, Eric served as CFO for Anovion Technologies, a domestic supplier of anode materials. His efforts were supported with a DOE grant of over $115M. Prior to his role as CFO at Anovion, he led M&A at Amsted specializing in corporate finance and business development. His financial leadership extends to previous positions at Amsted and Robert Bosch, where he led cross functional teams, commercialized CleanTech process technology, and launched Automotive products.

eric@ionicmt.com

Keith Brooks is the Vice President and COO of Ionic Mineral Technologies. Keith is a results-driven professional chemist with 40 years of experience in minerals extraction and manufacturing environments. Prior to joining Ionic Mineral Technologies, Keith was the Site Director at BASF. At BASF, Keith managed a $275M annual operating budget and oversaw 600-square-mile mining operation, four manufacturing plants, production of 1.3M short tons/year of processed kaolin, shipments out to three markets globally, 600 BASF employees, and 300 contractors.

Over the span of 17 years and multiple times for each, Keith has served as President and Executive Board Member of the Georgia Mining Association (GMA), Georgia Mining Foundation, and China Clay Producers of Georgia. Keith was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by GMA for his exceptional contributions to the growth and prosperity of the mining industry in 2013.

keith@ionicmt.com

Jake Entwistle PhD. is the Director of Battery Materials at Ionic MT. Jake oversees the scale-up of the Ionisil™ production line, and the development of next generation products in our in-house battery testing lab. Jake is an expert in metallothermic reduction and silicon anodes, having completed his PhD. on the topic. Previously, Jake has worked at the prestigious UK Faraday Institution on the NEXTRODE project and Innovate UK on the HIPERCARB project. In these roles, he researched novel LIB electrode microstructures and novel anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

jake@ionicmt.com

Betty Lankry brings extensive international experience in events marketing, media, and business development to Ionic Mineral Technologies. For decades, Betty has led events and supported media productions across Europe, North America (primarily NYC, Miami and LA), as well as South America. Betty co-founded Prisma Artists, a global booking agency, and has worked for brands including MTV, Royal Elastics, and Prospect Park production company with Jeff Kwatinetz. Betty studied the Business of Entertainment at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

betty@ionicmt.com

Preston Colledge is the Director of Mining Operations at Ionic Mineral Technologies. Preston holds an extensive background in excavation, geology, and scaling-up mining operations. Previously, Preston was a Researcher at Utah Valley State University where he developed various research proposals including one for using magnetic anomalies in Earth’s total magnetic field to locate placer gold deposits. Preston received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Earth Science from Utah Valley University.

preston@ionicmt.com

Chad is the Production Manager and Environmental Health and Safety Supervisor at Ionic MT. He ensures that all mining and processing operations meet the highest standards for health, safety, and environmental protection and he also supports our ongoing expansion of Ionisil™ production. Chad previously served as Minerals Manager and EHS Coordinator at one of the nation’s largest muscovite mica suppliers, Colors & Effects USA. Chad brings a strong background in mining, mineral processing, construction and forestry to Ionic MT. Chad obtained his degree from Georgia Military College and is a U.S. Army veteran where he was an infantryman and team leader, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

chad@ionicmt.com

Max Yan PhD. is a Chemical Engineer at Ionic MT and part of the Battery Materials team. Max is an expert in metallothermic reduction and brings a wealth of materials skills to the company. Previously, Max worked at the prestigious Dalhousie University where he specialized in researching nano-silicon production processes for energy storage and conversion applications. Max completed his PhD on silicon anode material for lithium-ion batteries with a focus on techno-economic analysis at the University of Sheffield. Prior to this, Max gained his Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Sheffield which included a research project in materials science and electrochemical energy at the State University of New York.

maxyan@ionicmt.com

Max is a Research Analyst for Ionic MT and brings his strong insight in business analysis, the lithium-ion battery market and research skills to the company. Max previously studied Management and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews and worked as an Analyst for the investment holding company, HighKey Capital, where he specialized in niche private market investments.

maxw@ionicmt.com

Shane is a head excavator for Ionic Mineral Technologies. Previously with Goldstar Excavation, Shane brings over five years of experience in surface mining and extensive knowledge of the local terrain at Ionic Mineral Technologies’ site in Utah. He performs a hands-on role for the company, ensuring quality work and environmental responsibility throughout the excavation, mineral transit, and final processing steps of transforming halloysite to nano-silicon.

shane@ionicmt.com

Oliver Wriedt is a Strategic Advisor to Ionic Mineral Technologies. Mr. Wriedt is also the founder of HighKey Capital, a boutique merchant banking platform focused on niche alternative investments. He serves as President & Head of Capital Markets at 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed SPAC. Prior to the formation of HighKey Capital, Mr. Wriedt spent 15 years in executive management positions in asset management, most recently as CEO of Vibrant Capital Partners (2019-2020) and Co-CEO at CIFC Asset Management (2012-2018). Previously, Mr. Wriedt served as a Managing Director in Providence Equity Partners’ Capital Markets Group and a partner at Sciens Capital Management and GoldenTree Asset Management. Mr. Wriedt started his career in banking at Deutsche Bank and NORD/LB in Singapore, London and New York.

oliver@ionicmt.com

Dr. Ian Wilson is an economic geologist and Geologic Advisor at Ionic Mineral Technologies. Dr. Wilson holds 45 years of international experience in industrial minerals. His experience includes exploration, resource, estimation, project development, production, and global marketing for various industrial minerals, including kaolin, halloysite, calcium carbonate bentonite, and magnesite.

He has held key technical and management positions in major public-listed mining companies, including the world’s largest kaolin producer Imerys, and as a senior scientific officer of the British Geological Survey. He was also secretary of the Mineralogical Society of London (Clay Minerals Group) and has been the convenor of multiple international conferences on clay minerals.

In 2009, Dr. Wilson was awarded the Hal William Hardinge award in recognition of his services to the industrial minerals industry.