Avalon Appoints Zeeshan Syed as New President
Toronto, March 1, 2023 - Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Zeeshan Syed, as the Company's new President, effective March 1, 2023, while Donald Bubar will continue to serve as CEO until the 2023 calendar year-end.
Mr. Syed has close to 20 years of combined experience in the energy sector in North America providing executive direction on the development, implementation, and communications of major projects and initiatives. He worked for the Government of Canada serving in the Prime Minister's Office from 2001 to 2003 as Executive Advisor to the Director of Communications and prior to that, with the Ministry of Health, as a policy advisor. Before joining Avalon in 2019, he held various executive positions within the Government of Alberta, and in the technology sector, helping start-ups scale their businesses.
Mr. Syed's experience in Government positioned him well to serve as a policy advisor for Avalon and manage Avalon's government relations work. He earned a Masters degree in Comparative Politics and Economics from the London School of Economics in 2004 after graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor's degree in 2000. His versatility and cross-sectoral executive experience continue to position him well to serve Avalon in multiple areas including; political risk, regulatory affairs, clean energy, corporate strategy, government relations strategy and investor relations. Mr. Syed's academic and professional background provide him with a unique perspective of a world increasingly subject to change particularly in the energy sector.
Donald Bubar, Avalon's current President and CEO, commented, "Mr. Syed has proven himself to be a very capable leader who is now highly experienced in the emerging new sector of critical minerals supply chains, especially lithium battery materials. His energy, insight and performance to date has been instrumental in our strategic and commercial relations with major international strategic partners. I now have full confidence in Mr. Syed as he provides the leadership to deliver world-class performance that maximizes shareholder returns."
Zeeshan Syed commented, "I am excited and energized about the opportunity to lead Avalon into the next chapter on establishing new critical minerals supply chains especially lithium battery materials. Avalon has a strong management team and a diversified asset base giving the Company exposure to a broad range of critical minerals. With strong new leadership, we will leverage our competitive advantages to position the Company as a market leader and help our great country become a dominant player within the rapidly growing critical minerals sector."
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.
For questions and feedback, please e-mail the Company at ir@AvalonAM.com, or phone Don Bubar, President & CEO, directly at 416-364-4938 ext. 222.
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that Donald Bubar will continue to serve as CEO until the 2023 calendar year-end and that Avalon will leverage our competitive advantages to position the Company as a market leader. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "scheduled", "anticipates", "continues", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", "planned", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" or "will not be" taken, reached or result, "will occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to market conditions, and the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses as well as those risk factors set out in the Company's current Annual Information Form, Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such forward-looking statements have been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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