ABOUT US

J. Christopher (Chris) York is the Chief Executive Officer of ADVANO.

Chris brings a wealth of experience and expertise to ADVANO and is well positioned to lead the company through the commercialization of its technology. Before his current role at ADVANO, Chris was the Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at NOVONIX, where he was responsible for strategic planning and growth initiatives in areas such as cathode and anode materials, battery development, and analytical services.

Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated a strong ability to lead and drive business expansion in the battery technology industry. Prior to joining NOVONIX, he successfully led the establishment of a new subsidiary focused on developing active synthetic graphite, silicon, and Si-G composites for electric vehicle Li-ion battery cells. Earlier in his career, he steered a significant Silicones business in North and Latin America. His efforts resulted in achieving short- and long-term business strategies, enhancing financial objectives, and improving operational efficiency, leading to substantial cost performance and EBITDA growth.

Chris has been recognized for his visionary leadership and strategic foresight, enabling him to secure high-profile partnerships and substantial investments for R&D projects, ultimately benefiting renowned clients like Tesla. With vast experience in managing global businesses and leading multi-functional teams, Chris has consistently driven double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth, securing strong market positions for the companies he’s been associated with.

Chris holds an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Indiana’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Mr. James “Jim” Stonecipher is Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of ADVANO. With 30+ years of experience in the Chemicals space, Jim has been with ADVANO since February 2024 and is currently operationalizing the REALSi product portfolio bringing advanced Lithium battery anode material to a commercial scale at volume.

Prior to ADVANO, Jim is also the Principal at EdyMac, LLC where he works closely with executives and C-Suite leaders in several startup companies to develop their emerging businesses. He created EdyMac in October 2023 when he was sought out to provide engineering and operational consultation for several waste to X projects. Prior to EdyMac, Jim held several executive positions with Fulcrum Bioenergy leading the company’s engineering, operations and growth areas for five years. Jim has also worked with numerous Fortune 100 companies during his career leading operational, engineering, and quality programs in a global environment.

Jim has an MBA from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Tech. He is also a certified Black Belt with General Electric and holds a Level 2 Sommelier certification from WSET in London.

Cambre is the Chief of Staff at Advano.

She has over 6 years of experience in high growth startups as an operational and human resource leader skilled in streamlining operational processes, improving employee relations, and managing key stakeholders.

Prior to joining Advano, Cambre served as Chief Operating Officer at a high growth start up driving increased business development, sales, and operational efficiencies.

Cambre graduated with an MBA from Loyola University and a Bachelors from University of Louisiana in Marketing and Finance.

Andre Chartier is an Associate Engineer Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the pouch cell lab. His work primarily focuses on design, fabrication and testing of pouch cells. Andre is cross trained to support other cell team labs and oversees all tooling development in the cell team labs at Advano.

Andre’s work with Advano started in 2017 as a Process Intern while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Soon after graduating from the University of New Orleans, Andre accepted a full-time position on Advano’s cell team.

Courtney Beaulieu is a Process Lab Technician at Advano. Her love for research began at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. She brings over 7 years of chemistry lab experience to Advano.

Prior to joining Advano, Courtney served as a Lab Operator at various types of companies across the state. of Louisiana, where she gained experience in narcotics analysis, water testing, polymer analysis, and jet fuels. Courtney experience across different industries allows her to bring a diverse perspective to her work.

Brandon Dang is an Associate Engineer at Advano. He offers support in performing analytical application tests as well as developing methods to integrate new technology into our materials. Brandon brings extensive experience as a researcher specializing in polymer synthesis and CO2 capture and adsorption for industrial use.

Prior to joining Advano, Brandon served at LSU as a researcher specializing in selective PDMS and other polymer synthesis as well as other anionic, ring opening interactions

Through his experiences as a researcher and as an employee at Advano, he has developed a deep passion for understanding and reimagining the way we produce and store energy. With the help of our team, he endeavors to bring to the world a better alternative to a greener future.

Brandon obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University and Biology from Xavier University of New Orleans. He is an active member of the American Institute of Engineers (AIChE) and has certifications in Safety and Chemical Engineering (SaChE) focused in Understanding Hazards and Risk, Pressure Protection, Relief Systems, Process Safety, and Fire Hazards.

Tracy Domingues is a Process Lab Technician at Advano. She is a UNO graduate that brings over 15 years of laboratory experience to the team.

Tracy was previously a laboratory technician at a state certified lab where her responsibilities included analyzing all incoming drinking water samples for bacterial contamination and mineral content. She also has extensive experience working as a Quality Control Analyst at a global leader in water soluble polymers. During her time there, she contributed to multiple research endeavors that led to more efficient lab practices on site.

Ou is the VP of R&D at Advano.

Prior to joining Advano, Ou was VP & Senior Director of R&D and IP for a leading battery materials supplier. He is trained in condensed matter physics and manufacturing engineering with over 30 years of R&D, product development and customer support in battery and materials with wide international experiences at Silicon Valley startups and largest consumer and automotive battery companies . He is the (Co-)inventor of over 40 issued and over 20 pending patents and 40 referred journal publications.

Ou holds a Ph.D. in Physics from McGill University, a Master’s Degree from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He conducted post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University wit 3M company.

Dan Summitt is the Facilities Technician at Advano ensuring the facilities, equipment and material readiness of the company are maintained at a high level. Dan has extensive experience managing and tracking maintenance and critical materials in the military and private sector.

Prior to joining Advano, Dan served as the avionics and material control work center supervisor in the United States Marine Corps. His technical mastery of the material control process and has been recognized as exceptional and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal. Dan also has substantial experience in the critical power and oil and gas industries, installing, commissioning and maintaining UPS, ROV and natural gas telemetry systems. He is excited to contribute his skills to Advano and strives for safe and productive environment.

Dan graduated from American Military University with a Bachelors in Homeland Security.

Taylor Thibodeaux is a Battery Lab Technician and works in the coin cell lab. Her work is mainly focused on cell assembly and performance testing. She is cross trained in the electrode fabrication process and supports the electrode fabrication lab as needed. She is also learning to fabricate pouch cells.

Prior to joining Advano, Taylor was a Main Floor Chemist for Intertek and was responsible for all ASTM, ISO 17025, and octane engine analysis testing (RON and MON).

Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of New Orleans.

Nicholas Tremblay is the Facilities Manager at Advano. Nick brings over 12 years in Electronics Technician, and Machinist. Driven by a willing to help attitude, he takes pride in providing the best facility/operational support possible.

Prior to joining Advano, Nicholas served in the USCG for 6 years as an electronics technician.

As a Facilities Manager, his goals include no unplanned downtime and a safe facility. In addition to his primary job functions, Nick has been recognized by Advano for his extraordinary flexibility and commitment, while taking on other roles to ensure continued operations.

Pradeep Vallachira Warriam Sasikumar is a senior material scientist at Advano. Pradeep is working on developing Si specific ecosystem to enhance the capacity and cycling performance of silicon containing anode materials in Li-ion batteries.

Pradeep holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Trento, Italy. Over the course of last 10 years, he has compiled an impressive track record in development of silicon-carbon based anode materials for Li-ion batteries. To date, Pradeep has authored/co-authored 30 full-length articles in top-ranked journals.

Prior to joining Advano, he worked as a research scientist at Empa, Swiss federal laboratories for materials science and technology, where he was involved in the synthesis and characterization of Si based nanostructured materials for energy and biomedical applications. Dr. Pradeep has extensive knowledge and research experience (> 10 years at high-profile international institutes) in battery anode materials, ceramics for functional applications, materials processing, and project management.

Nyajia Williams is a Process Lab Technician at Advano. She brings over 7 years of lab experience to the team, and her experience encompasses a vast array of fields including toxicology, petroleum, and sugar refining.

Prior to starting at Advano, Nyajia worked as a Research & Development Technician at a start-up sugar refinery. Her research contributed to the first successful production of xylose sugars by way of raw sugarcane by-product.

Nyajia uses her passion for new challenges, coupled with her vast analytical experience to strive for excellence in the lab. She is goal-driven and readily willing to collaborate on overcoming the next new challenge.

Nyajia graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree.