Westwater Resources Inc (NYSE-A:WWR) has a new CEO in engineering executive Frank Bakker.
The firm announced that its board of directors had appointed Bakker as its new president and CEO effective immediately.
Bakker had previously served as Westwater’s vice president and general manager – Alabama Graphite (CSE:ALP) Products.
READ: Westwater Resources signs first letter of intent to sell Ultra-Purified Micronized Graphite from its Kellyton Processing Plant
“Frank is an experienced executive with a proven track record in engineering, project management, and plant construction and operations for large-scale process facilities that produce a wide variety of industrial products,” Westwater’s executive chairman Terence Cryan said in a statement.
“Since last fall, Frank has been managing our construction activities at the Kellyton graphite processing plant. Frank will expand his role to handle additional corporate responsibilities related to technical services, sales and marketing, and continuing the development of the Coosa graphite deposit.”
According to Westwater, Bakker’s professional background includes significant engineering, project management, and process plant management, having built and operated numerous plants that process ammonia, elastomers, methanol, and resins.
He previously served as CEO for US Methanol LLC in Charleston, West Virginia, and as President and CEO for OCI Partners LP in Beaumont, Texas.
Other appointments
In addition to Bakker’s appointment, Westwater’s board also promoted Steven Cates to senior vice president – finance and CFO, and John Lawrence to Chief Administrative Officer in addition to general counsel, his current role.
Executive chairman Cryan told shareholders that the appointment “reflect the strong bench strength at the company,” adding that they “demonstrate that Westwater can leverage the executive management team to continue our success and to increase value for our shareholders and other stakeholders.”
Colorado-based Westwater is an energy technology company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite.
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