Monolith Materials CEO and leadership

Rob Hanson is the co-founder and CEO of Monolith, where he leads the development of next-generation technology for producing low cost, low emission hydrogen and carbon black, an important raw material used in the manufacture of rubber and plastic. Prior to Monolith, Rob served as the global director of product management for AREVA Solar, the solar division of the world’s largest nuclear company. He has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford, and has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, UNL, Foothill College and the University of Saskatchewan on topics ranging from thermodynamics to entrepreneurship. Rob also co-founded uforia studios, a 65-employee health and fitness company with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Specialties: Company building, investment assessment, new product development, technology development and commercialization, technology acquisition, management and operations, mechanical, structural, and thermal engineering challenges, energy systems, product leadership, project and construction leadership

James Rens is the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC. Prior to joining Philadelphia Energy Solutions, James Rens was the CFO of Executive AirShare Corporation. Prior to Executive AirShare, James Rens served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of CVR Energy, Inc., its predecessors and affiliates. Before joining CVR Energy, Inc., James Rens was a consultant to Pegasus Capital Investors through the acquisition of the assets that comprised CVR Energy, Inc. from November 2003 to March 2004; Assistant Controller at Koch Nitrogen Company from June 2003, which was when Koch acquired the majority of Farmland’s nitrogen fertilizer business, to November 2003; and Director of Finance of Farmland’s Crop Production and Petroleum Divisions from January 2002 to June 2003. From November 1995 to January 2002, James Rens was Controller and Chief Financial Officer of Farmland MissChem Limited and Farmland Hydro L.P., respectively. James Rens has spent over 25 years in various accounting and financial positions associated with the fertilizer and energy industries. James Rens received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Central Missouri State.

I am an innovation and global product development executive with extensive experience in rubber and plastic products with a variety of global organizations ranging in size from $30 MM to $20 billion in sales. To facilitate new product development and to fill the innovation pipeline, I have deep technical understanding particularly in polymer materials science, engineering and laboratory operations, and I have led product development and R&D teams consisting of dozens of scientists and engineers. Because of my formal training in law, finance and strategic management, I am skilled at leading the selection of products and projects to assemble the optimal product portfolio that maximizes shareholder value. I have found this training helpful in new technology development that usually includes not only scientific and business components, but also a significant legal component because of the complications of the ever-expanding regulatory environment, and the importance of protecting intellectual property. I have experience with patents, partnerships, joint development agreements, licensing, and M&A due diligence. My outgoing nature allows effective communication and relationship building with customers, employees, peers and other stakeholders. I am seeking leadership opportunities in innovation, research and new product development.

Rob Hanson is the co-founder and CEO of Monolith, where he leads the development of next-generation technology for producing low cost, low emission hydrogen and carbon black, an important raw material used in the manufacture of rubber and plastic. Prior to Monolith, Rob served as the global director of product management for AREVA Solar, the solar division of the world’s largest nuclear company. He has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford, and has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, UNL, Foothill College and the University of Saskatchewan on topics ranging from thermodynamics to entrepreneurship. Rob also co-founded uforia studios, a 65-employee health and fitness company with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Specialties: Company building, investment assessment, new product development, technology development and commercialization, technology acquisition, management and operations, mechanical, structural, and thermal engineering challenges, energy systems, product leadership, project and construction leadership

Rob Hanson is the co-founder and CEO of Monolith, where he leads the development of next-generation technology for producing low cost, low emission hydrogen and carbon black, an important raw material used in the manufacture of rubber and plastic. Prior to Monolith, Rob served as the global director of product management for AREVA Solar, the solar division of the world’s largest nuclear company. He has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford, and has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, UNL, Foothill College and the University of Saskatchewan on topics ranging from thermodynamics to entrepreneurship. Rob also co-founded uforia studios, a 65-employee health and fitness company with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Specialties: Company building, investment assessment, new product development, technology development and commercialization, technology acquisition, management and operations, mechanical, structural, and thermal engineering challenges, energy systems, product leadership, project and construction leadership