1. Mirco Wojnarowicz appointed CEO, Christopher Wright as CFO at Rock Tech. 2. Leadership transition aims to enhance lithium supply chain position. 3. Dirk Harbecke remains Chairman, ensuring strategic oversight. 4. Wojnarowicz has 15 years of global leadership in lithium industry. 5. Rock Tech plans local battery supply chains with sustainable lithium production.
The leadership change strengthens strategic direction, similar to successful transitions at competitors like Tesla.
The changes impact Rock Tech's strategic execution, crucial for maintaining competitive advantage.
The new CEO's focus on growth and supply chain integration could take time to reflect in stock price.
Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) (OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) (WKN: A1XF0V) (the "Company" or "Rock Tech") is pleased to announce a change in its executive leadership team, effective immediately. This transition marks a significant step in Rock Tech's strategic evolution as the Company advances toward its goal of becoming a leading supplier of lithium for the European and North American battery supply chains.
The Company has appointed Mirco Wojnarowicz as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Christopher Wright as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Kerstin Wedemann will continue as Chief Legal & Corporate Officer. Mirco has been with Rock Tech for three years and Chris was an external hire in 2024 with the intention to transition him into the CFO role in 2025.
Dirk Harbecke, who has served as interim CEO since 2022, will remain Chairman of the Board and as Rock Tech's largest shareholder, also ensure ongoing leadership continuity and strategic oversight. Under his leadership, the Company strengthened its internal talent pool and implemented formal succession planning. This leadership transition reflects that long-term approach to sustainable growth.
"For Rock Tech, these appointments mark an important milestone on the path of our ambitious execution strategy. We are delighted that Mirco has accepted our offer to become CEO..." said Dirk Harbecke, Chairman of the Board.
Mirco Wojnarowicz brings over 15 years of international leadership experience in the industrial and energy sectors. Since joining Rock Tech in 2022 as Vice President of Business Development, he has successfully driven strategic initiatives, including securing offtake and feedstock agreements and establishing Rock Tech's lithium joint-venture with Transamine SA in Switzerland. Prior to Rock Tech, he held senior divisional leadership roles at Mitsubishi Power Europe, where he led international teams and oversaw major commercial and risk management programs.
Chris Wright has 15+ years of experience in finance and mining. This most recently includes a role at Liontown Resources where he helped deliver project financing for the Australian based lithium producer. Prior to this, Chris provided corporate advice to mining companies, managed natural resource investments for ultra-high net worth clients, and led assessments of project financing at the Australian Treasury. He holds a Master's degree in Applied Finance from the Australian National University and a Master's degree in Mining Engineering from the University of New South Wales.
"I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at such an exciting and pivotal time in Rock Tech's journey..." said Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO Rock Tech Lithium.
The Company has accepted the resignation of Mr. Dirk Harbecke and Mr. Derek Sobel from their interim positions (the latter as CFO) and would like to extend its sincere thanks to both for their services and contributions. Mr. Sobel will continue his work at Rock Tech as the Company's Group Financial Controller.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Dirk Harbecke, Chairman
Rock Tech's vision is to supply the electric vehicle and battery industry with sustainable, locally produced lithium, targeting a 100% recycling rate. To ensure resilient supply chains, the company plans to build lithium converters at the doorstep of its customers, beginning with the Company's proposed Lithium Hydroxide Converter in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany. The second Converter is planned to be built in Red Rock, Ontario, Canada. Rock Tech Lithium plans to source raw material from its own Georgia Lake spodumene project in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario, Canada, and procure from other ESG-compliant mines. Ultimately, Rock Tech's goal is to create a closed-loop lithium production system. Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest teams in the industry to close the most pressing gap in the clean mobility story. The Company has adopted strict environmental, social, and governance standards and is developing a proprietary refining process to increase efficiency and sustainability further.
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws and are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "predicts", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "projects", "forecasts", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
The foregoing list is not exhaustive of all assumptions which may have been used in developing the forward-looking information. While Rock Tech considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results. Except as may be required by law, Rock Tech undertakes no obligation and expressly disclaims any responsibility, obligation, or undertaking to update or to revise any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.