Leadership
Leadership
Management Team
Yang Wu is the founder of Microvast and has been its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and director since its inception in October 2006. Mr. Wu has periodically served as the Company’s President, including from its inception through April 14, 2022, from January 10, 2023 through August 3, 2023 and from February 5, 2024 through the present.
From 2000 to 2006, Mr. Wu served as chief executive officer at Omex Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd., a water treatment company, which he founded and was acquired by Dow Chemical Company in 2006. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Wu served as chief executive officer and founder of Omex Engineering and Construction Inc. Prior to Omex Engineering and Construction, from 1989 to 1996, Mr. Wu was the founder of World Wide Omex, Inc., an agent for a large oilfield service company.
Mr. Wu received his bachelor’s degree from Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu.
Dr. Wenjuan Mattis was appointed as our Chief Technology Officer on July 23, 2021. She joined Microvast, Inc. in 2013, and she has served as Microvast Inc.’s Chief Technology Officer since January 2018, leading the development of battery materials, cells, modules and packs from R&D to production. Prior to that she served as Vice President of Technology since January 2015, and as Chief Scientist from October 2013 to December 2014.
From March 2010 to October 2013, Dr. Mattis served as Senior Research Engineer at Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan, where she led and participated in battery projects developing materials and cells for electrified vehicles and consumer electronics. In May 2016, Dr. Mattis was the youngest member ever elected to the board of directors of the International Meeting on Lithium Batteries association. She has also served as the Vice President of International Automotive Lithium Battery Association since June 2013. Dr. Mattis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanics and Engineering Science from Fudan University, Shanghai and a Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Mattis has been working on the development of lithium-ion battery technology for over 16 years. She has authored 22 papers and holds 97 patents.
Nancy Smith was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer on April 29, 2024. Ms. Smith joined Microvast in 2022, most recently acting as the Director of Internal Audit.
Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Smith served in a number of roles focused on Sarbanes Oxley planning, testing and reporting, audit planning, audit investigations and other financial reporting, including as Internal Audit Manager of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company and Senior Internal Audit Manager of Cameron International Corporation.
Ms. Smith also has extensive experience in global financial planning and accountability, audit controls and tax accounting oversight from her service in a variety of roles with Royal Dutch Shell over the span of 33 years.
Board of Directors
Yang Wu is a driving force behind transformative enterprises dedicated to fostering sustainable solutions, overcoming boundaries, addressing climate change challenges, and creating a better tomorrow. Mr. Wu is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Microvast, a U.S.-based organization focused on revolutionizing the lithium-ion battery sector.
He founded Microvast in 2006, leading the charge in cutting-edge battery technologies that reshape industries and redefine possibilities. His philosophy centers on the idea that small “micro” changes can lead to “vast” and lasting positive transformations for the environment, forming the foundation of Microvast’s mission.
Prior to Microvast, Mr. Wu spearheaded Omex Environmental Engineering, a venture aimed at improving living standards through innovative water purification applications. Under his leadership, the company’s acquisition by Dow Chemical in 2006 resulted in a remarkable 55-fold return on investment in just five years. Before Omex Environmental Engineering, he was founder and CEO of Omex Engineering and Construction, where he was responsible for building two large chemical plants, a methanol plant, and a butene-diol plant. His entrepreneurial aptitude also led to the establishment of Worldwide Omex, Inc., an agent for a prominent oilfield service conglomerate.
Mr. Wu earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Southwest Petroleum University, which laid the foundation for his contributions to multiple industries. His capabilities and dedication have resulted in breakthroughs across various sectors, positively impacting lives and promoting sustainable practices.
Yang Wu and his wife arrived in the United States in 1994, epitomizing the embodiment of the American dream. During the last several decades, he not only raised his family on American soil but also created numerous successful companies. His achievements as an innovator and business leader serve as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Mr. Wu is a trailblazer and a catalyst for transformative change. His innovative spirit and dedication to sustainable progress have a profound impact on global advancement. As he continues to shape the future with his vision and commitment, Mr. Wu’s influence will leave an indelible imprint on technology innovation for a better tomorrow.
Yanzhuan Zheng was elected to the Board as a Class III Director on July 23, 2021. Mr. Zheng served as Microvast’s Chief Financial Officer and as a director since 2010, and on April 14, 2022, Mr. Zheng transitioned from his role as Chief Financial Officer of the Company to advisor. Prior to joining Microvast, Mr. Zheng joined Quantum Energy Partners, a Houston-based private equity firm, in 2007. Mr. Zheng began his career with Arthur Anderson LLP in 1997. Mr. Zheng holds a Master of Science degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a CFA Charter holder.
Mr. Zheng is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive experience and knowledge of accounting and financial matters.
Mr. Zheng is a U.S. citizen and resides in the U.S.
Yeelong Tan Balladon was elected to the Board as a Class III Director on July 1, 2022. Ms. Balladon has served as the lead independent trustee of the board of the Ashmore Funds since 2010 and as lead independent trustee since 2014. The Ashmore Funds is a registered U.S. mutual funds complex dedicated to investing in emerging markets. Ms. Balladon also served as a non-executive director of Pacnet Limited from 2008–2015 and Jasper Investments from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Balladon was an associate and subsequently a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, an international law firm, from 1982 to 1988 and 1994 to 2009. She retired from the partnership in 2009. Ms. Balladon holds an LL.B. from the National University of Singapore and is legally professionally qualified in Singapore, England & Wales and the New York Bar. Ms. Balladon is qualified to serve on our Board due to her extensive legal and financial experience in the finance, banking and M&A sectors, particularly in emerging markets.
Ms. Balladon is a U.S. citizen and resides in the U.S.
Wei Ying was elected to the Board as a Class I Director on July 23, 2021. Mr. Ying has been a director of Microvast, Inc. since June 2017. Since December 2014, Mr. Ying has been a managing partner and director of CDH Shanghai Dinghui Bai Fu Investment Management Co., Ltd., a key investment manager entity under CDH Investment, and some of its affiliates. Mr. Ying has served as a director of CHTC Fong’s Industries Company Limited (HKG: 0641) since September 2011, a director of Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited (HKG: 0420) since January 2015, a director of Giant Network Group Co., Ltd. (002558.SZ) since May 2016, a director of Zhongsheng Group Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS: ZSHGY) since December 2016, a director of Beijing East Environment Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (NEEQ: 831083) since July 2017, a director of Yunji Inc. (NASDAQ: YJ) since February 2018, and a director of Sinocelltech Group Limited (688520:Shanghai) since February 2019. Mr. Ying has also served as a director of Guolian Industry Investment Fund Management (Beijing) Co., Ltd. since February 2014, a director of Huaian Yuchu Transportation Co., Ltd. since August 2016, a director of Zhejiang Liji Electronics Co., Ltd. since December 2020, a director of Ane (Cayman) Inc. and its affiliates since August 2016, a director of Ningbo Dingcheng Investment Management Co., Ltd. since March 2018, a director of Shenzhen Tajirui Biomedical Co., Ltd. since July 2018, a director of Ningbo Dingyi Asset Management Co., Ltd. since October 2015, and a director of Shanghai Jiexin VC Investment Management Co., Ltd. since January 2017. Mr. Ying received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Zheijiang Gohgshang University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Francisco School of Management.
Mr. Ying is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive leadership experience and industry knowledge experience.
Mr. Ying is a Hong Kong citizen and resides in Hong Kong.
Stephen A. Vogel has over 40 years of operating and private equity experience. He has served as General Partner of Vogel Partners, LLP, a private investment firm, since 1996. Since November 2018, he has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tuscan Holdings Corp., blank check company that consummate an initial business combination with Microvast Holdings Corp., an EV battery company. Since May 2018, he has also served as President of Twelve Seas Investment Company, a blank check company that merged with Brooge Energy, an UAE based oil storage and services business. From December 2016 until February 2018, Mr. Vogel was Executive Chairman of Forum Merger Corporation, a blank check company that completed its initial public offering in April 2017. Forum completed its initial business combination in February 2018 with ConvergeOne Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVON).
Mr. Vogel began his career in 1971 as President, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Synergy Gas Corp., a retail propane distribution company. After selling Synergy Gas Corp. to Northwestern Corp. in 1995, Mr. Vogel co-founded EntreCapital Partners, a private equity firm that focused on companies facing operational or management challenges and served until 1999. Additionally, he was a venture partner at EnerTech Capital Partners, an energy focused venture capital firm, from 1999 to 2002, and an operating partner at Tri-Artisan Capital Partners, LLC, an investment bank, from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Vogel also served as Chief Executive Officer of Grameen America, a not-for-profit organization that provides microloans to low-income borrowers in the United States, from 2008 to 2013. He was on the board of Netspend (NASDAQ: NTSP), a leader for prepaid stored value platforms, from 2011 to 2013.
Mr. Vogel was a member of the Board of Trustees at Montefiore Medical Center and Children’s Hospital for over 20 years and served on the Board of Trustees at Lighthouse International, a non-profit organization. Mr. Vogel is a past Trustee of the Horace Mann School and previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Propane Gas Association. Mr. Vogel received a BS degree from Syracuse University School of Management.
Mr. Vogel is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive leadership experience and financial expertise.
Mr. Vogel is a U.S. citizen and resides in the U.S.
Mr. Wong currently serves as an independent director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) and Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ). From November 2014 to February 2023, Mr. Wong served as an independent director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Maple Leaf Educational Systems Limited (HKSE: 1317). From March 2020 to March 2022, Mr. Wong served as an independent director of Tarena International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEDU). From 2008 to 2018, Mr. Wong served as the Chief Financial Officer for Asia New-Energy, Nobao Renewable Energy, GreenTree Inns Hotel Management Group, and Beijing Radio Cultural Transmission Company Limited, sequentially. From 1982 to 2008, Mr. Wong worked for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Hong Kong, San Jose, and Beijing over various periods of time, with his last position as a partner in the Beijing office.
Mr. Wong received a bachelor’s degree in applied economics from the University of San Francisco and a higher diploma of accountancy from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Wong is both a U.K. citizen and a Hong Kong citizen and resides in Beijing, PRC.
