Westwater Resources Inc (NYSE-A:WWR) has announced that its chief accounting officer (CAO) Steven M. Cates has been elected the company's new CFO and vice president – Finance following the retirement of Jeffrey L. Vigil from both positions, effective August 26, 2022.
"Following over nine years of distinguished service and after positioning the company for financial success in the ongoing construction and planned operation of the Kellyton graphite processing facility in Alabama, Mr Vigil will retire at the end of August,” said Terence J. Cryan, executive chairman of the Westwater board of directors.
“The Board and entire management team extend their sincere thanks to Mr Vigil for his dedication and contributions to the company. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement," Cryan added.
Since joining Westwater in May 2021, the company noted, Cates has been extensively involved in all aspects of the company’s finance, capital markets and accounting activities, including responsibility for Westwater’s SEC reporting, treasury, tax, and risk management functions.
“As part of a thoughtful and planned succession strategy beginning last year, the Board has now elected Mr Cates as the company’s new CFO and Vice President – Finance,” commented Cryan. “He will continue to work closely with the management team based in Denver and he will oversee financial activities associated with the completion of construction activities at the Kellyton graphite processing facility in Alabama.”
Prior to joining Westwater, Cates served as the vice president – Controller for Apartment Income REIT Corp, a real estate investment trust focused on apartment communities (2019-2021), as corporate controller for Caliber Midstream Partners, LP, an energy and oil infrastructure company (2016-2019), and in various accounting and financial reporting roles at American Midstream Partners, LP (2013-2016), Newmont Mining Corporation (2012-2013), and Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. (2009-2012).
The company said Cates began his career at KPMG in 2002, where he served as senior manager for audit and advisory services. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Redlands, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Colorado.
“I am honored and grateful to assume this new role,” said Cates. “Jeff’s mentorship and guidance has been invaluable to me, and I join Mr Cryan in wishing Jeff a long and healthy retirement,” concluded Mr. Cates.
NYSE American exchange-listed Westwater Resources is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite products. The company’s primary project is the Kellyton graphite processing facility that is under construction in east-central Alabama.
In addition, Westwater’s Coosa graphite deposit is the most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States – and located across 41,900 acres (around 17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com