new hire

Houston area battery company names new C-level leader

Stafford-based Microvast named Yaser Ali as CFO. Photo via LinkedIn

Houston-based battery technology innovation company, Microvast Holdings, announced the appointment of Yaser Ali as CFO. This is part of Microvast's efforts to strengthen its executive leadership team.

Ali most recently served as CFO of Vision Technologies since August 2022. He also previously held leadership finance roles at companies such as BayWa-R.E Solar and GreenFox Services. He was also a Regional Finance Controller at Amazon.

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Financial Officer at Microvast,” Ali said on his LinkedIn. ”Renowned for its cutting-edge cell technology and vertical integration capabilities, Microvast covers core battery chemistry to modules and packs, serving markets such as electric vehicles, energy storage, and battery components.”

Microvast considers itself a leader in the innovation and technology of lithium-ion batteries through the design, development, and manufacture of premier battery cells, modules, and packs for transportation, heavy equipment, and utility-scale energy storage systems.

The Staffford-based Microvast has also recently drawn $12 million from a $25 million secured debt facility provided by the company's founder, chairman, and CEO Yang Wu. The move helps streamline operations, including workforce reductions and consolidations within its U.S. battery division.

Recently, Microvast celebrated four years supplying its high-performance battery packs to eversum mobility solutions GmbH ("eVersum”), which helps support the company’s goals of electrification of next-generation autonomous eShuttle buses from eVersum. The batteries helped enhance “the accessibility and convenience of eShuttle buses while maintaining high performance and efficiency” according to a news release.

Microvast, which is headquartered just southwest of Houston in Stafford, has a market capitalization of $125.16 million, according to InvestingPro.

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A View From HETI

The company plans to grow its Houston workforce to 100 employees by the end of 2028. Photo courtesy BlueSpark Energy

Pulsed-power technology company BlueSpark Energy will open its new global headquarters in Houston’s Energy Corridor to house its engineering, research and development, manufacturing, commercial and digital teams.

“Houston isn’t simply our new headquarters; it’s where a new BlueSpark begins,” Kahina Abdeli-Galinier, president and CEO of BlueSpark, said in a news release. ”We’re building the well health technology the industry needs to get more from existing wells, reduce intervention costs and keep wells producing for longer. Our new home brings us closer to our customers and places us at the heart of one of the most exciting markets in the industry, with the talent pool to match.”

The company, which began in Calgary, plans to grow its Houston workforce to 100 employees by the end of 2028, while the manufacturing element is expected to be operational in February 2027.

According to BlueSpark, the new facility will feature double the manufacturing floorspace of its current site, and the extra space will allow it to scale its tool manufacturing.

The headquarters is on West Sam Houston Parkway. BlueSpark's Chief Technology Officer Matt Mohajer and Chief Commercial Officer Zach Wilbur are already leading teams at the new space, according to the release.

BlueSpark develops pulsed-power technology that uses electrical energy to clean oil and gas well components, remove scale buildup and restore production without damaging equipment. Its technology helps operators reduce downtime, improve well performance and extend the productive life of existing wells.

Late last year, the company named Kahina Abdeli-Galinier as its CEO. It has since rebranded and focused on expanding its technology into new applications, including plugging and abandonment, cement removal and water services.

“We’re investing heavily in our technology, both the physics and the intelligence and delivery layer around it,” Abdeli-Galinier added in the release. “Having our engineering, manufacturing, digital, R&D and commercial teams in one place allows us to move much faster, giving our customers the tools they need to keep wells healthy and producing more for longer.”

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