American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQB:ARRNF) has further enhanced its presence in the all-important US critical minerals market with a number of changes strengthening its board and management team.
At the board level Mel Sanderson will continue to be a non-executive director after transitioning out of her executive role as president of North America, effective from October 1, 2023.
In this capacity, she will chair the company’s Government and Public Relations and ESG committee and will be spokesperson for the company on these matters.
ARR has also appointed Joe Evers as general counsel and Jennifer Almquist as head of Investor Relations, effective immediately.
Key role in transition
Sanderson, who has served on the ARR Board of Directors since December 2021, became president of North America in January 2023 and during her tenure was instrumental in establishing the new leadership team and leading the North American business.
This proved a key role as the company transitioned its headquarters to the United States from Australia and with the US team now established, Sanderson will resume her role as a non-executive director.
She will also continue to support the team in a consulting capacity on Government and Public Relations and ESG matters.
“On behalf of the entire board, I would like to thank Mel for her leadership during this period and look forward to her ongoing contribution in her new capacity,” said ARR chairman Creagh O’Connor.
New general counsel
Evers joins the company as general counsel having served in various legal, regulatory, policy and external relations positions throughout the energy and mining industry during the last decade.
Previously, Evers held positions of increasing responsibility in the land and policy departments at a publicly traded oil and gas company and served as corporate counsel at an international mining company.
Equipping him for these positions, Evers practised law in Denver, Colorado, serving clients engaged in natural resource development in the Rocky Mountain region.
Originally from Sheridan, Wyoming, Evers holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wyoming as well as a JD/MA in Environment & Natural Resources.
He is also the chair of the Advisory Board at the Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources, vice president of the Alumni Association and a member of the Advisory Board at the College of Law of the University of Wyoming.
To lead investor relations
Almquist joins ARR as head of Investor Relations after more than 20 years of financial communications and public disclosure experience including investor relations, external financial reporting, strategic communications, corporate finance and accounting.
Prior to joining ARR, she spent 13 years as an independent consultant, assisting companies with senior-level projects and ongoing advisement related to investor, management and board communications; SEC compliance; strategy development and planning; and finance and accounting.
Previously, Almquist served as director of Investor Relations and SEC Reporting for Crocs and in a variety of investor relations and SEC Reporting roles for other US-listed companies.
She holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Colorado and an Investor Relations Charter holder.
“Will be invaluable”
“I am pleased to welcome Joe and Jennifer to the American Rare Earths team,” said ARR chief executive officer Donald Swartz.
“Their experience and expertise will be invaluable to us as we build up our US presence and continue to execute on our strategic plan.”