Management Team and Board of Directors

John Hammen | Chief Executive Officer, Director

John Hammen was born in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. He moved with his family to Montana in 1986, and worked on early generations of Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) technology. He attended college at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where he majored in Chemistry, participated in NCAA Cross Country and Track, and earned his B.A. with Honors in 2001. From 2001-2002 worked full time on the early grants that led to the development of the Solid Phase Extraction matrix that is the foundation of Metals U.S. current SPE technology. During his graduate work at Stanford University from 2002-2009, John studied the use of various metals, including rare earth elements, in developing asymmetric catalysts for organic synthesis. John has managed over 30 hydrometallurgical development projects spanning rare earths, precious metals, and base metals. He has been a major contributor in the development of the core Solid Phase Extraction material technology, as well as designed hundreds of particular chelating materials used in Metals U.S. separation processes. In addition to his work at Metals U.S., he continues to collaborate with the Trost Group as a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University, employing metal catalysts immobilized in SPE material for organic reactions.

John Williams, PhD | Systems Development

John Williams holds a PhD in Earth and Space Sciences from the University of Washington. Subsequent to receipt of his PhD, he completed post-doctoral appointments at the University of Washington, the University of Iowa, and at the Northwest Space Research Center. He has had faculty appointments at the University of Montana, the University of Iowa, and the University of Alaska, where he has lectured on mathematics, physics, and space sciences. During his time as a Research Scientist at Bechtel Corporation, Dr. Williams has lectured to over 10,000 students on the effects and safe handling of radioactive material.

Dr. Williams has been a noted researcher in the development of space science technologies. He has been involved in developing the instrumentation that was aboard two prominent NASA missions, namely the Deep Space Flyby of Comet 19P/Borrely, and the Cassini Mission to Saturn. He has a wide breadth of experience in computer programming, automation, and design of high tech instrumentation. John joined the Metals U.S. technical team in 2014. He will work with Metals U.S. in developing automated Solid Phase Extraction processing systems.

Jerry Furniss, JD, MBA | Business Development, Advisory Board Chair, Director

Jerry Furniss is the chair of the Advisory Board for Metals U.S. and is assisting with business development and corporate strategy. Jerry holds a BBA in Accounting, an MBA in Management, and a Juris Doctor in Law. He is an author of a number of manuscripts and training materials for business, insurance, and securities education, with over 25 publications in the areas of business, law, insurance and real estate. Jerry’s 30 years of professional and business experience spans a wide range of areas including CEO of Furniss and Associates, holding the offices of treasurer, vice-president, president, and program chair of the Pacific Business Law Association, and President and Chief Negotiator for the University of Montana’s Faculty Union. Jerry has founded or co-founded 12 companies in areas of technology, geological information mapping, real estate marketing, business consultancy, hotels/real property development, publishing, and retail. In addition to being Professor of Business Law at the University of Montana, Jerry is presently a Business Development Advisor for IntelliMet (separation chemistry technology company), and Hasman Software, Ltd. (Oracle based, Enterprise Resource Planning, Learning Management Systems/Portals, SME/Enterprise Level software implementation).

In addition, he provides business services and management consulting through the business advisory consortium The International Think Tank to a number of companies, including Syft (state-of-the art technology that senses in real time Volatile Organic Compounds in parts per trillion) and Montainer, a sustainable cargo container homes/commercial property company. Jerry is an expert consultant and witness in lawsuits related to environmental liability, corporate and business structure, bankruptcy, corporate board liability and governance, employment law and wrongful termination, and fiduciary duties. He also co-founded the largest training company in Montana to offer exam and license preparation and continuing education services for professionals in insurance.

Richard Hammen, PhD | Chief Science Officer, Board Chairman

Richard Hammen is originally from Missoula, Montana and is a former director of the chemical laboratory at the NASA jet propulsion lab in Pasadena, California. He graduated from Stanford University and attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, where he studied under one of the leaders in modern organic synthesis. He did postdoctoral research at UCLA in Chemistry. He competed on the United States National Cycling Team in the 1974 World Championships and the 1975 Pan American Games. Although pre-selected for the 1976 Olympic Team, he returned to scientific research at the Molecular Biology Institute of UCLA. He then took a position at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute) where he assumed management of the laboratories of two of the scientific founders of Genentech, Inc. He then moved to be the Director of Chemistry at Vestar Research Inc., a bio-tech company in Pasadena. A pioneer in Solid Phase Extraction technology, Dr. Hammen has developed innovative new technologies in recombinant protein purification, and has served as Principal Investigator for more than $2 million in federal grants.

Eric Panke | Controller

Mr. Panke has worked in accounting for startup companies using both U.S. and Canadian GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). He has worked with auditors, counsel, investment firms, and regulatory agencies to meet public company reporting obligations in Canada and the U.S. for activities related to, taking companies public, interfacing with tax preparers and external auditors, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, cost control and cost reporting, establishing financial controls and procedures, corporate governance policies, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance reporting. Eric’s work experience includes: Idaho North Resources, Corp, Idaho since 2012 as CFO and Controller. At Idaho North Resources he took the company public on OTC exchange and worked with auditors, counsel, and sponsoring broker to prepare S-1 filing and other documents required for SEC and FINRA reviews, and is responsible for all internal and external accounting functions. At United Mine Services, Inc., Idaho, Mr. Panke has served as CFO and Controller. He successfully completed accounting for three mergers, including a reverse takeover acquisition by United Silver Corp in 2010, which resulted in the company becoming publicly traded in Canada, successfully moved parent company from the Canadian National Stock Exchange up to the Toronto Stock Exchange and was responsible for all internal and external financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting. Mr. Panke also served Washington Group International, Inc., Idaho as Senior Manager of Business. He progressed from field accountant to senior manager of business at numerous project sites and area offices; relocated seven times in first ten years of career throughout the U.S., including Hawaii. Assignments included: Sr. Business Manager on $1.0 billion Connecting Idaho Program, Sr. Business Manager for Engineering Services Division, with annual revenues exceeding $100 million, Area Business Manager in Boise for multiple construction projects around the country ranging in size from $1.0 million to $2.0 billion. He was educated at The College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Summa cum laude with a major in Business Administration and Management, and a Minor in Spanish.

Chris Hammen | Operations and Engineering

Chris Hammen holds a B.Sc. in Materials Science Engineering from Stanford University. He began working with Solid Phase Extraction technology in 1998 with a science fair project that examined the rapid capture and measurement of copper in rivers and stream-beds around Montana. One of his projects led to his selection by the U.S. National Science Foundation as a science exchange delegate to South Korea. Chris joined IntelliMet full-time in 2011, having worked intermittently with SPE technology in applications ranging from metal purification to structural composite materials and membranes for fuel cells. Chris will bring his energy and experience with IntelliMet to the Metals U.S. team to assist with operationalizing and commercializing the SPE technology.

Stephan Edwards, MA, MA | Advisor, Environmental and Community Affairs

Stephan Edwards is a communications catalyst. As a social scientist, and with over a decade in academia and the non-profit sector, he has studied how local communities react to global markets, and understands how cultural identity shapes consumers' relationships to products and companies. As a certified mediator and facilitator, Stephan has built consensus and navigated change for multiple organizations, including businesses, cities, state and Federal government agencies, Native American Tribes, non-profits, and universities. He has conducted public scoping for the Montana State Water Initiative and the Northern Rockies Climate Change Workshop, and taught communication and conflict resolution seminars for Leadership Missoula, the Wyoming Water Quality and Pollution Control Association, and The University of Montana.

A specialist in natural resources conflict resolution, complex multi-party negotiation, and cross-cultural communication, Stephan has built multi-level communication strategies that work, both inside and outside of organizations. Stephan holds Masters degrees in cultural anthropology from Brandeis University and history from the University of Connecticut, as well as a graduate certificate in natural resources conflict resolution from the University of Montana. Formerly, Stephan was a Visiting Scholar at Salem State University and Assistant Professor of History and Political Science at Central Wyoming College. He is a Research Associate with the University of Montana's Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy, a Board Member at The International Think Tank, and directs a small non-profit specializing in mediation and conflict resolution. He connects with the world from his home base in Missoula, Montana.

Mitch Everts | Advisor, Government and Public Relations

Mitch attended Phillips Academy Andover, Gonzaga University and the University of Montana, focusing his studies on business management, entertainment management, and political science. He has since gone on to become a founding member of The International Think Tank, a business think tank and innovation institution located in Missoula, Montana specializing in corporate strategy, management consulting and product innovation that is currently advising Metals U.S.

As a member of the Board of Directors and manager of The International Think Tank, Mitch has advised companies in several industries, specializing in government and public relations, clean tech, manufacturing, sustainable housing, mining, and data management. Mitch currently advises Metals U.S. on corporate strategy as well as public and government relations.

Neal Marxer | Chemical Engineer, Director

Neal has served in a wide range of operational and management roles in the pulp and paper production sector of the chemical process industry. He started his career as project Chemical Engineer at Hoerner Waldorf pulp mill in Missoula, Montana, and moved to the role of Pulp Mill foreman. He also worked in the Power and Recovery area as an Assistant Superintendent. In Michigan, Neal worked as Pulp Mill Superintendent for Champion International and also served as Production Manager in Ontonagon Michigan. Mr. Marxer then became Production Manager with overall responsibility for the mill’s production with employment of 670 employees during Stone Container’s acquisition of the pulp and paper mill in Frenchtown Montana. Mr. Marxer also managed departments including Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering, Capital Engineering, and Quality Control for all products at the facility.

Subsequent to his employment at the mill, Neal founded Monture Engineering, LLC in order to provide engineering consulting services. Neal was involved in decommissioning the Smurfit-Stone mill in Missoula and is in charge of environmental compliance and reporting for the site. Neal’s broad experience in chemical engineering and his relationship with the community and personnel who worked at the plant will facilitate the establishment Metals US’s planned metal separation and purification facilities in the Missoula area. Neal will also assist with various permitting activities given his experience and his long-standing relationships with various government agencies. Neal received his degree in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University.

Emese Vitalis, MA, PhD, MBA | Corporate Sales and Business Strategy, Director

Emese Vitalis was born and raised in Hungary. After finishing her MA in Psychology she was chosen to complete her doctorate degree in Psychology at Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. She has spent more than ten years teaching psychology for colleges and universities in Hungary, Germany, and the U.S. to students from more than fifty countries.

Emese moved to the U.S. ten years ago. After coming to Missoula, she had the opportunity to work with several start-up companies, among them Rivertop Renewables, a pioneer in the development of the technology and production of bio-degradable carbochemicals. Emese recently received her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Montana with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. She and her business partner won the 2011 Ruffatto Business Plan Competition at the University of Montana and she is on the board of The International Think Tank and the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. Dr. Vitalis is an expert in sales and business strategy for startups. Emese is passionate about the environment. She served on the board of the Missoula Sustainable Business Council for two years and she is a supporter of the organization.

Andre Gillan, M.A. | Research Scientist

Andre Gillan holds a Bachelor of Sciences from the University of Washington in Science and Engineering with a Minor in Chemistry, as well as a Masters degree in Chemistry with a specialty in Polymers and Coating. He has done additional graduate work at Montana Tech in Butte in metallurgical engineering. His work included metallurgical development work on Rare Earth materials, and the use of silica-based resins for Rare Earth element purification. Additionally, Andre has also done work in polymer science for the Kimberly-Clarke Corporation and Los Alamos National Laboratories. Andre will be working with the Metals U.S. technical team in development of Solid Phase Extraction materials and processes for mining applications. His wealth of experience in metallurgy and polymer science is ideally suited for the scientific development goals of Metals U.S.