Our Executive and engineering teams have over 120 years of experience in the battery chemistry, electronics and electric supply and material processing sectors. We are uniquely positioned to leverage our connections in the supply of critical materials to battery manufacturing and user of battery application manufacturers to secure demand and supply partners. Our team includes successful business executives, engineers, scientists, and technicians with extensive experience in geology & mining, processing & engineering, and experienced persons who have devoted their professional career in nickel zinc battery science and battery manufacturing. In addition, the company has assembled a team of renowned technical experts and a highly respected team of business advisors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ari Virtanen
Ari has a strong executive and management level background with senior level local and international experience and cross sector business exposure to utilities and electric supply, telecommunications, mining , and environmental technology segments. Ari has worked over 16 years as a CEO, 15 years as an expatriate manager in Africa, Latin & North America, the UK and East-Europe and has held a direct line management position in sales & marketing, supply chain management and operations. Ari has C-level international experience in financial and HR management. Over 20 years experience as a board professional in stock listed and private companies ( incl the UK, Norway, Mexico, Finland, Estonia) . B.Sc. Electric engineer , MBA , Certified Turnaround Management Consultant, member of the Finnish Data Center Association (FDCA)
Craig Wilkins
Craig has 30 years of proven sales and executive management experience with a variety of start-ups in the financial and technology sectors. Craig serves as the CFO of ZAF Energy Systems leading the customer acquisition team and driving funding efforts. Craig was previously the founder of ViZn Energy and served as EVP of Finance and then Chairman/CEO until 2014. ViZn Energy provides grid-scale energy storage solution to utilities, EPC’s and renewable developers. Craig was also the founder and President/CEO of Acceptance Capital Mortgage Corporation (ACMC), a nationwide mortgage banker with 450 employees and licensed in 30 states with annual fundings exceeding $1.2B. Prior to ACMC, Craig was a founder and principal owner in NetWireless, the largest distributor for Nextel Communications, which grew to $45M in revenue in less than 3 years before being sold to Bearcom, the largest national Motorola distributor. Craig has a BA in Finance from University of Montana and completed his graduate studies in Economics.
Tom Gerke
A graduate of Carleton University (the School of Public Administration, Ottawa), Tom has a Masters degree specializing in public sector finance and labor relations. Subsequent to Carleton University, Tom spent two semesters at Geisenheim Agricultural College studying viticulture and enology. Upon his return to Canada from Germany, he worked on the administrative side of wine and spirits importation, eventually managing a Vancouver based agency with distribution in a number of provinces across Canada. In 2007, Tom was asked to work for a small mineral exploration company with a zinc oxide project in the Northwest Territories. Duties would include Aboriginal relations and project permitting. Further responsibilities lead to a greater understanding of the mining industry. A meeting with Mr. Craig Wilkins at the 2016 International Zinc Association meeting led to the creation of BGM in 2019, a vertically integrated supplier of critical minerals to the battery industry. Tom has been a vital part of procuring and organizing the processing of these minerals.