Our 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.

Dr. Sunho Kang is the Chief Technology Officer at Ionic Mineral Technologies and a seasoned leader in lithium-ion battery innovation, with over 25 years of experience in R&D and the industrialization of battery materials and cells. His career spans top-tier research institutions, cell manufacturers, and OEMs, including Argonne National Laboratory, Samsung SDI, Apple, and Volkswagen. Dr. Kang’s work in developing advanced NCM cathode materials, silicon-carbon nanocomposites, and nanoporous silicon has led to their widespread commercial adoption in lithium-ion cells for electric vehicles and power tools. A former protégé of Nobel Laureate Dr. John B. Goodenough, a pioneer in lithium-ion technology, Dr. Kang holds more than 80 scientific publications and over 30 U.S. patents in battery materials. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Seoul National University. 

Dr. Wenwei Zheng is the Director of Research at Ionic Mineral Technologies (IonicMT), leading the company’s research and development of halloysite-derivative battery materials, with a particular focus on innovative silicon anode solutions. Joining IonicMT in February 2025, Dr. Zheng drives the strategic development of advanced battery materials, spearheading the Battery Material Research team and collaborating across departments to accelerate the commercialization of IonicMT’s Ionisil™ technology. His leadership is pivotal to IonicMT’s mission to redefine lithium-ion battery performance, range, and charging speed. Dr. Zheng brings over 20 years of R&D experience in material science, including over eight years focused on battery material science and R&D leadership, with a strong track record of success in developing and commercializing silicon-based battery technologies. Prior to IonicMT, he played a critical role at GP Batteries, where he led the commercialization of two generations of silicon anode technologies and the prototyping of a third, significantly increasing energy density in commercial button cells. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Chemistry from Peking University.

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.

Andrea Thompson is a Battery Materials Engineer at Ionic Mineral Technologies, specializing in lithium-ion cathode materials, electrode processing, and electrochemical characterization. She brings extensive hands-on experience in cell assembly, materials testing, and data analytics, having previously worked at Tesla as an Engineering Technician in cathode material development.

Andrea holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University and an M.S. in Data Analytics from Western Governor’s University. Her expertise spans powder characterization (XRD, SEM, BET, PSD), electrode fabrication, electrolyte formulation, and battery cycling analysis. She has also contributed to battery research, presenting findings on ionic and electronic conductivities in Li-ion cells at The Electrochemical Society.

With her strong technical foundation, problem-solving skills, and passion for battery innovation, Andrea plays a key role in advancing nano-silicon anode technology at IonicMT.

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, Prospect Park production company. Betty studied the Business of Entertainment at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

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.