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 is operationalizing the REALSi product portfolio bringing advanced Silicon anode material to the market at commercial scale and volume.

Prior to ADVANO, Jim advised C-Suite leaders and executives at multiple startup companies in developing their emerging businesses by providing engineering and operational consultation with a specialization on waste to fuels projects. Jim has held several executive positions with global impact, leading engineering, operations and growth teams in Startup and Fortune 100 companies.

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, UK.

Dr. Sung H. Lim recently joined Advano as Chief Technology Officer, bringing over 20 years of industry experience in materials synthesis and polymer chemistry. He holds over 60 patents and peer-reviewed publications across many industries, including battery materials, optical coating materials, and medical diagnostics.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lim has led teams in developing next-generation materials, managed R&D activities for advanced battery materials, and overseen product development initiatives. He has successfully led multiple government-funded R&D projects and played a pivotal role in commercializing advanced technologies.

Dr. Lim earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focusing on asymmetric synthesis with organolithiums, and his B.A. in chemistry from Northwestern University, specializing in synthesis of dendritic polysilanes.

As the Director of Human Resources, Morgan has over 14 years of extensive experience in leading and implementing HR strategies that support driving operational success and create a robust company culture. Prior to joining Advano, Morgan spent 2 1/2 years in the dynamic start-up world of battery materials and played an integral role in supporting rapid industry growth and technological advancements.

With Morgan’s commitment to excellence, proactive approach to problem solving and deep understanding of business dynamics, she brings innovative solutions and strategic insights that foster high performance teams.

With a proven track record of success and a passion for driving continuous improvement across all HR functions, Morgan is dedicated to empowering organizations and their people to reach their full potential.

Morgan received her MBA in Human Resources Management from Tennessee Technological University, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.

Karen joined Advano as the Commercial Director. She brings 25+ years of expertise in the global Automotive Industry with experience coming from roles ranging from resident engineer at an OEM assembly plant to Vice President of Business Development at major Tier 1 suppliers.

Prior to joining Advano, she has been in the battery materials space for the past 3.5 years including living abroad to closely engage with key global players in the advanced EV and battery space.

Karen uses her technical expertise and her passion for people as a foundation to cultivate client relationships and to bridge the gap between technical and commercial aspects. She provides a unique perspective into the industry and offers valuable insights and strategies to facilitate corporations reaching their business objectives.

Karen graduated from Central Michigan University School of Engineering and Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree.