American Vanadium Engages Roland Kiser as Head of Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions
Vancouver, BC / TNW-ACCESSWIRE / September 19, 2014 / American Vanadium Corp. ("American Vanadium" or the "Company") (TSX.V: AVC) (OTCQX: AVCVF) today announces the appointment of Roland Kiser to the senior role of Head of Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions. Roland is a global C-Level executive with an exceptional track record of accomplishment in the banking, financial services, private equity and renewable energy sectors.
"Having made a significant impact everywhere he has worked, Roland is a key addition to our senior management team as we advance our business development and sales strategy for the CellCube vanadium flow batteries in North America," stated Bill Radvak, President & CEO of American Vanadium. "Additionally, we are currently reviewing new opportunities to enhance our market share in the global energy storage business and Roland will lead these initiatives. Known for driving revenue, profit and market penetration, Roland personifies operational excellence at all levels including mergers & acquisitions, start-ups, turnarounds and high-growth firms in the global financial industry and renewable energy sector, involving companies such as CSFB, UBS, HSH Nordbank, Kenyon Energy and Martifer Solar USA."
The CellCube energy storage system is the world's only broadly commercially available vanadium flow battery with over 65 systems sold globally. The CellCube provides a reliable, long duration solution with a 20+ year life for a wide range of applications such as integrating renewables, microgrid and grid balancing. "With North American annual sales of storage technologies estimated to grow to $10 billion by 2030, according to the Boston Consulting Group, our CellCube vanadium flow product is extremely well positioned to be a leading, long duration energy storage solution," added Bill Radvak.
From 2011 and until recently, Mr. Kiser acted as President & Chief Executive Officer for Kenyon Energy and Martifer Solar USA, executing aggressive restructuring and growth strategies in the solar project development and EPC markets in the United States.
Mr. Kiser joined HSH Nordbank in 2002 as the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer for the Americas. In this capacity he led the start-up of banking operations and as a result of Mr. Kiser's leadership and efforts, the US branch became a key player in the US banking market, providing complex financing structures to renewable energy and solar technology financing. By 2009, the US operation of HSH Nordbank became a market leader in commercial scale solar PV financing and its Energy department grew to become a $6B leader in renewable energy financing, funding a pipeline of projects worth billions that included debt and equity financing, development and construction lending, turbine supply loans and project debt. At this time HSH financed more than 4.5GW of wind and solar projects, becoming a leading source of capital for this sector in North America.
Previously, Roland held various technology relevant positions at Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS in Switzerland until 1991 when UBS relocated him to the United States, where he became Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer. In 1995, and as part of several mergers and acquisitions initiated by UBS, Mr. Kiser was promoted to Executive Director in charge of all Administrative Services supporting 27,000 employees of the Investment Bank and Asset Management Company. As a member of the Regional Management Committee, he was involved in all US relevant strategic projects and merger & acquisition related initiatives for several years.
Having earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Computer Sciences from one of Switzerland's leading business schools, Mr. Kiser holds an MBA degree from Pace University where he graduated at the top of his class and was admitted to the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society in recognition of his scholastic achievements.
American Vanadium also announces it has entered into a consulting agreement with Revelation Business Solutions Ltd. to provide the services of Rob Pilz as Director of Corporate Development. The Company has expanded Mr. Pilz's role from advisor to Director of Corporate Development to assist in building the infrastructure that will allow American Vanadium to become an integrated leader in energy storage. Mr. Pilz brings more than 25 years of business experience in a broad range of areas including finance, mergers and acquisitions, partnering, and strategic and operational planning. Mr. Pilz has held executive and management positions in companies from Fortune 500 to Deloitte Technology Fast 50TM. Mr. Pilz received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance from the University of British Columba and holds a Certified Management Accounting designation.
Pursuant to the agreement with Mr. Kiser, American Vanadium will pay Mr. Kiser a monthly rate, grant 150,000 options at an exercise price $0.60 per share subject to certain vesting provisions and issue 350,000 common shares upon the meeting of certain performance milestones. Pursuant to the agreement with Revelation Business Solutions, American Vanadium will pay Revelation Business Solutions an hourly rate, grant 200,000 options at the exercise price of $0.60 per share subject to a vesting schedule and issue up to 200,000 common shares of American Vanadium upon the meeting of certain performance milestones. The issuance of the 350,000 common shares to Roland Kiser and the 200,000 common shares to Revelation Business Solutions Ltd. is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
About American Vanadium Corp.
American Vanadium is an integrated energy storage company and the Master Sales Agent in North America for GILDEMEISTER energy solution's CellCube energy storage system. The CellCube is the world's only commercially available vanadium flow battery, providing long duration solutions over a 20+ year life for a broad range of applications including renewable energy integration and demand charge reduction. CellCube is a powerful, durable and reliable energy storage system that ensures a clean, emission-free energy supply at all times. American Vanadium is developing the Gibellini Vanadium Project in Nevada to be the only dedicated vanadium mine in the United States, providing a critical source of vanadium electrolyte for CellCube energy storage systems.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Bill Radvak, President and CEO
For further information, please contact: Mike Hyslop
(604) 681-8588 X 102
mhyslop@americanvanadium.com
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
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