ABTC appoints new chief operating officer

American Battery Technology Co. (ABTC) has appointed Steven Wu as its new chief operating officer.

According to the Reno, Nevada-based lithium-ion battery recycler and battery materials manufacturer, Wu brings an extensive background from his previous companies in successfully scaling first-of-kind technologies into high-volume, bespoke manufacturing operations—a skillset the company says will help it as it continues to advance its commercialization and ramp-up efforts to onshore and build out a battery metals supply chain for its North American customers.

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“We are thrilled to welcome Steven to the team at this exciting and critical stage of growth of our commercialization efforts,” ABTC CEO Ryan Melsert says. “As we move beyond the first-of-kind design and commissioning phases, Steven brings the exact skillset and experiences needed in scaling commercial operations, building engaged and high-productivity teams and innovating and implementing ground-up, high-volume product manufacturing operations to meet the needs that our domestic strategic partners are demanding as we scale up our domestic critical battery material solutions.’

Wu has experience with operationalizing innovative technologies manufactured in customized facilities and employed in first-of-kind products at global companies.

As director of product and programs at Rivian, Wu led efforts to ramp products, set and drive achievement of objective and key results and build and manage partnerships with customers and suppliers. While working at autonomous vehicle startup Nuro as its head of new product introduction, Wu developed and led revenue generation initiatives, led partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), led manufacturing and process improvement operations, commissioned facilities and managed the operational scale-up of in-house manufacturing.

Additionally, Wu, who has a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Rutgers University, previously worked at Uber as an operations group manager, and at Apple as a global supply manager scaling production of products internationally and in the U.S.

“I am very excited to step into this role at this transformative stage of ABTC’s journey to widespread commercialization,” Wu says. “I share Ryan’s vision to drive accelerated but efficient and smart growth for a company leading the efforts to secure a domestic, sustainable supply of battery metals, enabling our transition to electrification.”

In his new role, Wu will be responsible for accelerating the company past its current stage of commissioning and ramp up of its first integrated lithium-ion battery recycling facility and primary claystone lithium hydroxide pilot plant, progressing toward widespread commercialization and proliferation of these technologies. He also will oversee ABTC’s manufacturing operations while working closely with the company’s leadership teams across the organization on growth initiatives.

Wu will succeed Andres Meza, who served as COO for more than three years and is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.

“Andres has been an integral part in driving  ABTC's foundational growth and success to date, and we are grateful for his contributions,” Melsert says.