FORGE NANO TEAM

WE ARE FORGE NANO

Our technology unlocks surface engineering at the atomic level. Our team is the world’s largest aggregate of combined surface engineering ALD expertise and experience. Our systems and solutions are industry proven, highly efficient, and economical. Our platform technology unlocks the potential of surface engineering precision at the atomic scale. Our suite of innovative tools, systems, and processes allow customers to unlock the potential of materials at the atomic level.

OUR TEAM

Our people make the difference. Our team is passionate about changing the world… from the atoms up! We take pride in our work and we love what we do! Learn a little more about the amazing people that make magic with atoms every day. Hover over our team members to see a little bit more about each of them. 

Paul Lichty

CEO/ Founder

Paul Lichty

Dr. Lichty is an inventor of the high throughput ALD patent and founder of FN. Paul has a broad technical background that has allowed him to be co-inventor on over half a dozen patents. Paul’s leadership and organizational experience has helped him to run FN’s operations while developing the technology through 3 prototype stages, up to the current commercial scale. Paul received his PhD in Chemical Engineering and bachelor’s Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado.

James Trevey

CTO

James Trevey

Dr. Trevey oversees operations and leads technology development at Forge Nano. His degrees in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Engineering Physics give him the unique ability to “connect the dots” with respect to technological developments. He is an expert in electrochemistry focusing in solid-state batteries and has authored numerous publications and patents. His leadership and organizational management abilities have enabled Forge Nano to grow rapidly and effectively since beginning as a co-founder in 2013.

Michael Kleinberg​

CFO

Michael Kleinberg

Michael Kleinberg has served in the top finance position at a number of companies operating in a multitude of industries. He began his career as an investment banker conducting mergers, acquisitions, debt and equity transactions in emerging telecommunications markets. His operational finance career spans start-up and mature companies involved in technology, software, real estate development and construction. He came to Forge Nano from RS2 Software, Inc., the US-based subsidiary of a fintech parent corporation in Europe. He enjoys skiing with his kids and pushing the limits of a charcoal grill.

Arrelaine Dameron

VP of R&D

Arrelaine Dameron

Dr. Arrelaine Dameron is the Vice President of research and development at Forge Nano. She is a world expert in thin film deposition, nanoscale assembly and interface engineering. Arrelaine has over 15 years of experience in materials science and chemistry, has produced more than 60 publications and patents. Arrelaine has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Creative Studies from University of California Santa Barbara.

Barbara Hughes

Director of Energy Storage

Barbara Hughes

Dr Barbara K. Hughes received her PhD in Chemistry from CU Boulder in 2013. After a postdoc at the National Renewable Energy Lab, she joined the team at Forge Nano in 2016, where she is currently the Director of Energy Storage and leads the Internal Measurements and Characterization Group. Her team focuses on both physical and electrochemical characterization of ALD enhanced materials with an emphasis on materials for energy storage applications.

Jack McFarland

Sr. Advisor

Jack McFarland

Jack grew up on both coasts and on his family ranch in Glacier National Park, Montana. He graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Economics and Neuroscience. He received his MBA from Northwestern University and obtained his CPA while working at Deloitte in Chicago. In addition to his work as a consultant in Deloitte’s emerging business services group, Jack has experience in investment banking (corporate finance), business development (including acquisitions, divestitures, consolidations/integrations) and operational finance. Jack worked at FEI Company in many international positions as well as CFO for an internal start-up (Phenom) developing desktop scanning electron microscopes. Phenom was later sold to Thermo-Fisher. Prior to joining Forge Nano Jack was the CFO for Proterra, a manufacturer of large electric buses for public transit located in Greenville, SC. At Forge Nano Jack oversees the finance, HR and administrative functions.

Randall Schussler​

VP Sales​ and Marketing

Randall Schussler​

After spending the last 30 years bringing advanced technology products to market, I had the good luck of two profitable exits in a row, the last one in 2015. Since that time I've been helping multiple companies plot their path to profitable growth. I'm looking forward to us taking Forge Nano down that same path! Now that my three kids are out of the house my non - work hours are spent mountain biking and on a tennis court. I look forward to the day we can spend more of our time face to face and not screen to screen!

Robert Ferris

VP of Strategy and Execution

Robert Ferris

Previously operations leader at McKinsey, CEO of Adama Materials, and has held roles across strategy, M&A, and product management

James Ragonesi

Engineering Program Manager

James Ragonesi

James started his career in the semiconductor industry developing CVD and PVD processes for dynamic memory devices. After a few years, he transitioned to solar cell manufacturing with a focus on TCO films. James joined Forge Nano in 2016 to help develop and scale spatial ALD processes on powders. Outside of work, James enjoys golf, trail running, and the occasional DIY house project.

Joe Spencer​

VP OPS​

Joe Spencer

Joe's career in ALD onto powders began in the early 2000s. Along his journey he has helped pioneer a number of manufacturing methods from concept to large-scale production. Joe now leads Forge Nano's operations and manufacturing group with an emphasis on growth, efficiency, and teamwork.

Caleb Crowl

Accounting Manager

Caleb Crowl

I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, where I graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a bachelors in Finance and Accounting. My entrepreneurial and capitalistic mentality moved me out to Denver in 2016 to help small businesses in this economy. When I am not crunching numbers, I am either in the mountains or at a concert. I am a passionate Sooners football fan and an aspiring recreational basketball hall of famer.

Angie Korb

Bookkeeper

Angie Korb

I've been working at Forge Nano for a little over 2 years and enjoy working with our fun and talented team. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, hiking with my husband and our dogs, going to dog-friendly breweries and live music.

Staci Moulton

Director of Field Application Engineering

Staci Moulton, Ph.D., MBA

Staci is a key liaison with customers and project partners for delivery of technical content, limitations of ALD, and market readiness of applications including cost analysis. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Oregon State University, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Colorado – Boulder studying ALD of cobalt for active catalyst materials, and MBA from University of Colorado – Denver. She was the PI for an Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPAe) project for ALD catalysis and its commercial opportunities, has authored ALD and polymer patents and was a technology lead for a research firm proposing research projects to U.S. government agencies for commercialization.

John Mahoney

Business Development Manager

John Mahoney

John’s role at Forge Nano is a business development manager with a focus on lab-scale tools. John’s career has focused on bringing new technologies to market, with over 15 years of experience in the alternative energy realm. John’s work experience ranges from small start-ups to mid-sized companies, to large multi nationals and has insight into the unique needs of each. John has a passion for understanding technology and seeing it be implemented to real world use. John received his Mechanical Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and his MBA from the University of Southern California.

Daniel Higgs

Business Development Manager

Daniel Higgs

Daniel joined Forge Nano in the Fall of 2019. He focuses on quickly educating customers on the benefits and limitations of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on powders. Daniel enjoys working on long-term projects, moving from proofs of concept to commercial products. With over 10 years’ experience in the field, Daniel works mostly with customers through Joint Development Agreements and Supply Agreements. Daniel received his Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. Steven George at the University of Colorado Boulder. In his spare time he likes to garden, cook, travel, learn languages, play jazz trumpet, and drink tea.

Tim Porcelli

Field Apllication Engineer

Tim Porcelli

Tim is an Applications Engineer for Forge Nano. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he co-authored three peer-reviewed publications focused on ALD for energy storage applications under Prof. Steven George. Prior to his current role, Tim was a process engineer in the semiconductor industry manufacturing high frequency circuits enabling 5G technology as well as a R&D engineer at Forge Nano. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, brewing beer, and spending time in the great outdoors with his family and (overly) excitable Border Collie.

Drew Lewis

Research Engineer

Drew Lewis

Drew delivers deftness in diverse depositions, dedicated to development for over a decade. Recently revised role to reinforce repeatability and reproducibility of research results. Empowering everyone to embrace excellence toward eliminating emergencies and environmental emaciation. Working to wipe-out waste, whip-up wonderful workmanship, be a wizard of wisecracking wordplay.

Brianna Boeyink

R&D Engineer

Brianna Boeyink

Ryon Tracy

Senior Development Engineer

Ryon Tracy

Meghan Herbert-Walters

Research Scientist

Meghan Herbert-Walters

Kyle Ingham

Project Engineer

Kyle Ingham

Jamie DuMont

R&D Scientist

Jamie DuMont

Annette Valceschini

Quality Control Technician

Annette Valceschini

Garrett Curry

Mechanical Technician

Garrett Curry

Kyle Bourgois

Process Manager

Kyle Bourgois

Mike Talarico

Inbound Marketing Lead

Mike Talarico

Mike is our resident creative guru. When he isn't designing beutiful art for Forge Nano, you can find him spending time with his 3 kiddos and his spectacular wife, or making props for his professional Haunted House. Mike loves any excuse he can find to use his creativity, from web design, to sculpting, he just enjoys "making things". Mike is a curisosity driven marketer who is always interested in learning the latest trends in innovative and creative marketing engagements. For over 15 years, Mike has worked with companies big and small on improving their brand equity and marketing initiatives. Most recently, Mike acted as Director of Marketing at Schuberth North America, a technical protection brand based in Germany.

Chris Gump

Principal Scientist​

Jennette Warner​

Ops Manager

Andrew Broerman

Principal Engineer​

Michael Danner​

JR R&D Eng Tech​

Joseph Valladares​

Ship & Inventory Clerk

Joseph Valladares​

You can say I'm a freshman to Colorado but for me, I finally made it out to the wild wild west! Here at Forge Nano I take care of everything that has to do with the movement of packages and systems. I have a strong background in logistics/manufacturing and I love to be hands on with everything I do. When I'm not fighting with FedEx I'm usually somewhere in the mountains with my doggo.

Josh McDaniel​

Systems Engineer​

Josh McDaniel​

I love design and Fabricating anything mechanical! A little known fact about me outside of Forge Nano, I chainsaw carve and have a little furniture business on the side. I am also a father, and a chainsaw carver.

Keegan Shorrock

Engineering Assistant​

Jessica Burger

Max Rodgers

Mechanical/CAD Engineer

Max Rodgers

I am a Senior Mechanical Engineer and lead Computer Aided Designer (also known as a CADerer) at Forge Nano. I completed my undergrad in 2019 and Master's in 2020, both degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder in Mechanical Engineering. I joined the Forge Nano family in March 2017 as an intern and began full-time in May 2019. Some of my favorite pastimes are playing baseball (or softball), playing volleyball, skiing, camping, trying to tire out my two Australian Shepherd puppies, and watching baseball or football. CAD has become a passion of mine through working at Forge and I am nothing but excited for what the future holds for our great team!

Dane Lindblad​

R&D Engineer​

Markus Groner​

Sr. Scientist​

Markus Groner​

Dr. Markus Groner has been working on novel ALD applications since the last millennium and is still as excited about it as the day he started. Originally from Switzerland, Markus came to Colorado for a PhD in electrochemistry, and then shifting his focus to ALD as a post-doc in the Steven George group. His ALD publications, patents and commercial applications cover a wide range of topics including electronics, barrier encapsulation, roll-to-roll web coatings, Li-ion batteries, and particle ALD for a wide array of industries. In his free time, Markus can be found out on trails, usually on a bike or cross country skis, throughout the Colorado mountains.

Guillermo Rojas​

R&D Engineer​
I graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a bachelors degree in Chemistry. I have been in the ALD world for over four years, including a full year with Forge Nano. I love working on novel and exciting projects with a group of dedicated and fun people. When I'm not at work, I like to enjoy all Colorado has to offer with my family. From city dinning to hikes in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.

Madison Martinez

Research Scientist

Madison Martinez

If laughter is a defining characteristic, then that is how I want to be defined. I like to have fun, but I take my work seriously. Chemistry is my passion and my joy and I love being in the lab every day! I have worked in energy storage for 5 years and have found that it is my favorite way to exercise my chemistry expertise. However, outside of the lab I can be found hiking, biking, racing in Mario Kart, or playing with the kids or dogs (sometimes both at the same time!).

Alexandra Wintz​

Mechanical Engineer​
I'm a mechanical engineer starting with Forge Nano in late 2021, I have a background in Oil & Gas Engineering as well as Civil Engineering pertaining to water and wastewater design. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.S. in Mechanical and Energy Engineering. I'm an avid volleyball player and dog-lover. I enjoy new challenges and I'm grateful to be a part of this amazing team!

Jonathan Travis

R&D Junior Engineer

Jonathan Travis

I'm a huge nerd who is extremely passionate about renewable energy, thin film deposition, and debating which Nicholas Cage movie is the best.

Jose Villagomez

Mechanical Technician

Jose Villagomez

My Name is Jose Villagomez, and I'm the Production Supervisor here at Forge Nano. I manage all our New System builds. This includes managing vendor relations for procuring our system parts and developing instructional manuals and videos for training and service support. I am a Denver native, born and raised. I went Tulsa, Ok to study Aviation at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, where I received my Airframe and Powerplant Certification (A&P) and a B.S. in Aviation Management. I have over 3 years experience working at Adam Aircraft building Composite VLJ category aircrafts. 10 years experience installing and repairing High speed equipment for the Credit Card industry. When I'm not at work, you can catch me competing in local and National bowling tournaments. I love Golfing and being with Family and Friends.

Kevin Merrills​

R&D Tech​

Andrea Ohsiek​

QC Technician​

Andrea Ohsiek​

Chemist with experience in environmental analytical laboratory work exploring the world of atomic layer deposition. I enjoy drawing, knitting/crocheting, reading, hiking, skiing, playing piano, and video games. Drinker of beer and enthusiastic consumer of food. Pretty darn good at DDR with a foam mat.

Sarah Harris

R&D Junior Engineer

Sarah Harris

Sara is a chemical engineer who is passionate about environmental sustainability. She has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has experience as a researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. She has previous work with thin films, polymer research and membrane application research. In her free time, she loves to go bird watching, do yoga, and spend time with her 3 cats.

Brian Evanko​

Sr. Dev Engineer​

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