ABOUT POSITIVE MATERIALS
Positive Materials Inc. is a Canadian company controlled by its management team and directors. We are advancing Project Positive+, an initiative to onshore established pCAM expertise to ease the biggest North American bottleneck to a localised battery materials supply chain. Project Positive+ aims to create an independent Canadian midstream processing operation, while enabling local value-adding for Canadian critical minerals.
We plan to deliver exceptional quality, energy dense precursor cathode active materials that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and sustainability.
Our Team
MANAGEMENT
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Marco Romero
45 years of diversified international leadership, team-building and corporate finance experience in the technical services, mining, mineral processing, battery raw materials and construction materials industries. Company builder since the age of 21 and co-founder of several enterprises including Eldorado Gold, Polaris Materials, Delta Gold, Euro Manganese and Positive Materials. Recipient of several international, national, and regional awards for achievements in corporate social responsibility, safety and environmental excellence.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Pierre Massé
40 years of diversified international experience in project and corporate finance, strategy,corporate governance and accounting. Former CFO of Pan American Silver, Eldorado Gold, Ivanhoe Mines and Euro Manganese. Holds a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering, received his Chartered Accountant designation in Canada (CPA) and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kenji Naoi
Seasoned and successful executive, with over 20 years of extensive international experience in steel products, battery raw materials & metals trading, recycling and processing. MD of METz Corporation, a mid-size metals distributor,recycler and processor, and one of Japan’s largest importers and distributors of manganese metal. Fluent in Japanese and English. Law degree
VP, PROJECTS
Ken Palko
Engineer with 24 years of experience in mining, materials handling, logistics and mineral processing in Canada, the USA and Greenland. Multiple senior executive positions, including CEO. Extensive operations experience, as well as strong background in project evaluation, planning and development. History of cordial and respectful working relationship with First Nations in Canada.
VP, ENVIRONMENT
David Rayworth
Environmental planning and management specialist with over 25 years of experience across Canada. Long history as an EIA expert at one of Canada’s leading environmental consulting firms. Recent role as a senior major project reviewer at the Canadian Impact Assessment Agency. Strong understanding of federal and provincial regulatory process. New Brunswick native with extensive history of working with First Nations.
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pCAM TECHNOLOGY LEAD
Stuart Johnson
Highly experienced technical and supply chain expert in the chemical process industries. Specialist knowledge in solids-based processes including pigments, catalysts and battery materials, including pCAM. Strong background in technology scouting, scaling-up, and commercialization of next-generation processes. PhD, Chemical Engineering; FIChemE.
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COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
James Mills
Battery specialist with technical & commercial expertise in value chain development & integration, strategic purchasing. Former critical minerals market & equity analyst at London investment bank. Former member of Volkswagen AG’s cathode active materials and critical materials in-house strategic procurement team. Recent roles in value chain strategy, regional policy & legislation assessment, contractual negotiations at Benchmark Minerals Intelligence. MSc Geology & Geophysics; MSc Metals & Energy Finance.
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CORPORATE MANAGER
Wendy Ridley
30-plus years of experience in corporate administration. Specializing in project and office management, confidential executive and board support, media relations, HR, PR, information technology and communications.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CEO & DIRECTOR
Marco Romero
45 years of diversified international leadership, team-building and corporate finance experience in the technical services, mining, mineral processing, battery raw materials and construction materials industries. Company builder since the age of 21 and co-founder of several enterprises including Eldorado Gold, Polaris Materials, Delta Gold, Euro Manganese and Positive Materials. Recipient of several international, national, and regional awards for achievements in corporate social responsibility, safety and environmental excellence.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kenji Naoi
Seasoned and successful executive, with over 20 years of extensive international experience in steel products, battery raw materials & metals trading, recycling and processing. MD of METz Corporation, a mid-size metals distributor,recycler and processor, and one of Japan’s largest importers and distributors of manganese metal. Fluent in Japanese and English. Law degree
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CHAIRMAN & INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
Darrell Podowski
Partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a leading Canadian law firm. Advises a diversity of companies on corporate finance and M&A transactions, general corporate commercial matters, compliance and governance. Expertise in negotiating complex transactions, strategic alliances, off-take agreements, joint venture and joint operating agreements, specializing in the mining and critical materials sectors. Previously worked as in-house counsel to Teck Resources and as a geophysicist with Amoco Canada.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
Lori Goucher
Senior chemical industry executive. Experience developing new process technologies & building and operating large-scale industrial facilities globally. Recent Senior Vice President with BASF, a leading chemicals and battery materials producer, responsible globally for capital investment development / execution, process technology, EHS and continuous improvement for catalysts and battery materials. Strong cross-functional experience in engineering, manufacturing, procurement, EHS, sales and business management. Chemical Engineer
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
J. Craig Dudra
Former Regional Head of B.C. and Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, with 30+ years of diverse capital markets experience and team leadership. A proven track record with over $20B in lead transaction execution / origination across a broad range of transactions including corporate M&A(friendly & hostile), equity raises (IPOs & bought deals) and debt raises (IG and HY). Chartered Accountant, CFA charter holder, Top 40 under 40 award (Vancouver).
ADVISORS
Wenling Sun
Strategic Advisor: Technology, Procurement & Strategic Relationships
Economist with 27 years experience in international metals trading, procurement & project development. Served as China’s representative for several international companies, including Euro Manganese. Expertise in engineering, procurement, project planning, construction, market intelligence and technology. Battery raw materials focus since 2016.
Masahiro Mogari
Strategic Advisor: Market Intelligence,
Technology & Customer Relationships
Former longstanding President and later Chairman of Tanaka Chemicals, a leading Japanese pCAM producer. Extensive experience in pCAM products and related technologies, development, industrialization, manufacturing and commercialization.
Ramboll
Current Focus: Specialized pCAM environmental expertise
Ramboll is a Danish engineering, environmental and architectural firm with over 18,000 employees working in 35 countries, including Canada. Its expert teams have been playing a lead role in the environmental planning and permitting of some of the most important pCAM development projects in Europe and North America.
Worley
Current Focus: Environmental technology options
Worley Limited is a global project planning and delivery, environmental, and construction company with over 48,000 employees around the world. They have been behind some of the most important battery manufacturing and battery materials development projects in Europe and North America
Deloitte
Current Focus: Auditors, initially performing financial disclosure review
Deloitte is one of the world’s top corporate advisory firms, offering auditing, financial management, risk advisory, tax and accounting services.
Mcmillan LLP
Legal Counsel
McMillan LLP is a Canadian business law firm serving public, private and not-for-profit clients across various industries in North America and around the world.