ioneer Ltd (ASX:INR) (OTCMKTS:GSCCF) (FRA:4G1) has demonstrated confidence in executive chairman James D Calaway by renewing his employment agreement for a further 12 months, effective from July 1.
Calaway has been chairman of ioneer since 2017 and was appointed executive chairman in July 2020 in recognition of his increased focus on the sales and marketing efforts, strategic partner discussions and funding considerations for the company’s wholly-owned Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada.
He has also been active in US investor relations and stakeholder meetings, especially with COVID-19 impeding the travel of the company’s Australian-based management.
In renewing his contract, Calaway will continue his close level of involvement in the company and its activities, with a particular focus on securing strategic project partners and financing.
Significant role in the US
ioneer managing director Bernard Rowe said: “It has been very beneficial to have James in an executive chairman capacity in the US over the past 12 months.
“As we move towards a final investment decision on Rhyolite Ridge and the project construction phase, it is necessary for ioneer to build a strong presence in the US.
“James will play a significant role as we conclude project financing and strategic partnering arrangements to bring Rhyolite Ridge online.”
Before joining ioneer, Calaway served for eight years as non-executive chairman of lithium producer Orocobre Limited (ASX:ORE), leading it from early development phase into production.
He has assisted several private and public companies through critical growth stages to become successful commercial operations and is currently chairman of Distributed Power Partners Inc, a distributed power development company.