Western Magnesium Corp, which is aiming to produce magnesium metal in the US, reported it had hired Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd, a retired major in the United States Air Force, to become its executive vice-president for communications and government affairs.
Hayes-Byrd has had a highly successful career of service both in and out of uniform, said the company.
As well as receiving the distinguished Meritorious Service Medal in her time with the Air Force, she has served "two consecutive tours in The White House and supported three US Presidents as the director of White House Management – 'Room One'”, it added. She also maintained direct oversight of the operational White House budget and all presidential and first lady administrative expenditures.
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And before her federal service, she was chief operating officer for Family Service Foundation Inc. (FSF), a not-for-profit human services organization dedicated to meeting the behavioral health and social support needs of developmentally disabled adults across Maryland.
"I have seen firsthand what American businesses can bring to the table, and Western Magnesium Corporation is a self - sufficient 'win-win' company that will provide a 'green' producing magnesium product, which will further ensure our critical supply chain and will provide good paying jobs for Americans,” said Hayes-Byrd in a statement.
Western Magnesium CEO Sam Ataya added: "Jacquie’s proven track record as a national thought leader with demonstrated success at the community and grass roots level will be critical to our engagement with state and local government officials.
"Her addition to the team will help ensure Western Magnesium’s impact in changing America’s future as the U.S. will once again secure its competitive advantage on the world stage with clean sustainable precious metal made here in America."
The company said: "She will lend her organizational expertise and tactful advocacy in the environmental domain as Western Magnesium answers the critical demand for eco-friendly magnesium metal production solely in the United States."
Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com