Li-Metal announces appointment of lithium industry executive as new CEO
by CM Staff
Dr. Godavarthy, an experienced lithium industry executive, brings commercial and operational experience to the role with a global leadership background in specialty chemicals and lithium battery materials.
Li-Metal announces appointment of lithium industry executive as new CEO
TORONTO — Li-Metal Corp., a developer of lithium metal and lithium metal anode technologies for next-generation batteries, announced the appointment of Dr. Srini Godavarthy as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 15, 2023.
Dr. Godavarthy, an experienced lithium industry executive, brings commercial and operational experience to the role with a global leadership background in specialty chemicals and lithium battery materials. Previously, he led the lithium metals and specialty salts business at Albemarle Corp, where his team was responsible for the commercial and technology development efforts for lithium metal, solid-state electrolytes and lithium metal anodes. Mr. Jastrzebski will continue to serve as an Executive Director of Li-Metal.
Mark Wellings, Chairman of Li-Metal commented, “After careful review, assisted by its advisors, the Board of Directors accepted the recommendation from Maciej that a new CTO role be created to bring more focus and to accelerate technology development efforts, in addition to recruiting a CEO to lead the development of commercial partnerships and other functions.” Tim Johnston, Co-Founder and Director of Li-Metal added, “We are thrilled to have an industry expert join Li-Metal’s management team as CEO. After an extensive search, the Board of Directors concluded that Dr. Godavarthy’s hands-on experience in the lithium industry, including lithium metal and anode technologies as well as his experience developing partnerships with next-generation battery players made him the ideal candidate to lead Li-Metal through this next phase of growth.”
“Li-Metal is working at the forefront of battery material technology and I am excited to support the advancement of sustainable lithium metal production and the development of the next-generation battery ecosystem in North America,” commented Dr. Godavarthy. “The Li-Metal team has established a strong foundation for me to build from, which is reinforced by a strategic technological and commercial roadmap. I look forward to working closely with Maciej, the Board and the rest of the Li-Metal team, as together we help unlock the full potential of next-generation batteries and deliver long-term value to all stakeholders.”
The co-founders, Tim Johnston and Maciej Jastrzebski, will work alongside the Chairman, Mark Wellings, to transition the CEO function to Dr. Godavarthy, and to deliver positive outcomes for the Company’s shareholders and broader stakeholders.
