Eric Miller
Haddonfield,New Jersey
Summary
Growth-Oriented Leader with a proven track record of building and scaling businesses in IoT, Battery Materials, Automotive, and Manufacturing sectors. Expertise in launching new ventures, entering untapped markets, and driving sustainable growth through strategic partnerships and operational excellence. Highly skilled in identifying high-potential opportunities and executing innovative strategies to maximize business expansion. A decisive and creative leader, known for managing cross-functional teams and delivering results that fuel long-term success. Passionate about fostering innovation and guiding businesses through rapid growth and transformation. Experience includes direct P&L ownership, government affairs, building teams (operational, technical and financial), launching new products, and leading business development efforts.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
CFO and VP Business Dev
Ionic Mineral Technologies
03.2023 - Current
- Market Penetration & Commercial Success: Directed strategic initiatives to segment markets, streamline commercial focus, and achieve initial traction. This led to the company's first sale, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) worth $135M in potential revenue, and successful full-cell testing with Tier 1 customers, reinforcing our market credibility.
- Capital Acquisition: Successfully secured $15M in Series B funding, bringing institutions onto the capital table and re-structuring a financing to drive success.
- Non-Dilutive Funding & Political Affairs: Led political and public affairs, actively pursuing non-dilutive grant opportunities. Advanced initiatives with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), and state-level entities, positioning the company for further governmental support.
- Operational Efficiency: Reduced the company’s burn rate by over 15% within 90 days by optimizing operations and transitioning the business into robust systems including IT, Treasury, Procurement, and Quality Management.
- Product Development & Partnerships: Created a comprehensive product roadmap, addressing technological gaps through cost-effective partnerships with key technology providers.
- Scale-Up Leadership: Led coordination efforts with engineering, procurement, and construction firms, facilitating the company's scale-up activities for manufacturing and operational expansion.
Strategic Advisor
G6 Energy Corp
03.2023 - Current
- Strategy: Advised on the strategy, communications architecture, and fundraising strategy for this Natural Graphite anode material supplier.
- Leadership: Staffed key management team to strengthen value proposition and address gaps.
- Expansion: Supported site selection, coordinated with ECP firms, managed environmental review, and drove efforts to develop feasibility study.
- Commercial Engagement: Forged relationships with commercial prospects in U.S. and Korea to begin early sampling efforts.
- Funding: Supported efforts to secure a USD$120M in asset backed, debt related financing and government grant and incentive package of CAD$150M.
CFO and Co-Founder
Anovion Technologies
01.2022 - 03.2023
- M&A Strategy & Business Planning: Developed the M&A framework and early business plan for a startup synthetic graphite battery materials company.
- Capital Acquisition & Government Funding: Secured ~$40M in total equity funding and ~$120M in non-dilutive government funding. Led efforts to secure large DOE award uder Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Corporate Leadership: Directed corporate strategy, finance, HR, IT, and sustainability, ensuring operational excellence and strategic growth.
- Government Relations: Engaged with the DOE, EXIM Bank, and DOD, promoting critical mineral localization and securing substantial funding. Founded industry collation (Battery Materials and Technology Collation).
- Brand Strategy: Crafted a communications strategy with the mission "Securing the supply chain for our electrified future" and launched the "Graphite for Good" initiative to enhance brand positioning.
- Strategic Partnerships: Led cross-functional teams in forming essential partnerships for raw material supply, site selection, and technology collaborations, driving execution and operational readiness.
- Operational Infrastructure: Implemented an ERP system and established core operational policies and controls, strengthening the company's foundation and scalability.
VP, Head of Business Development
Amsted Rail
11.2020 - 01.2022
- Head of business development for $1.3B global manufacturing enterprise
- Developed and launched a new battery materials business under Amsted Graphite Materials brand.
- Sourced and executed a complex, multi-lateral battery materials spinoff involving a $45M strategic acquisition (Pyrotek) that was rebranded Anovion
- Successfully engaged with Department of Interior, DOE and other agencies to add synthetic graphite to US Critical Minerals List
- Sourced, negotiated and led diligence efforts for a Transit business acquisition (~$15M).
- Led a strategic evaluation of joint ventures and wind-down of a foundry distribution business ($1.8M)
- Inked a distribution agreement to expand and re-focus Amsted Global Foundry Solutions that delivered $10M in sales growth for 2022
- Collaborated with business unit leadership to develop a 5 year strategic plan and associated playbook.
General Manager
Inno-Spin
06.2016 - 11.2020
- Developed the expansion strategy and launched Inno-Spin LLC, an advanced manufacturing CleanTech startup that grew to over $12M in 2020
- Managed day to day operations, attracted talent, and promoted a culture that underscores safety and performance
- Secured over $20M of internal funding for new growth programs in rail, trucking and automotive
- Achieved positive cash flow in under 7 months, ISO 9001:2015 accreditation in under 10 months and IATF compliant quality system in under 24 months
- Identified, secured and led APQP launch team that qualified an $8M automotive program into Ford and GM
VP, Finance and Strategy
Amsted Seals
01.2018 - 11.2020
- Founding member of startup, product line expansion in rail, class 8 truck and automotive space that drove sales from $17M to $50M in three years
- Architect of the business model, market strategy, and financial plan that secured $40M of startup funding
- Set strategic direction and oversaw execution teams that improved overall EBITDA 10X from <$1M 2016 to $11M in 2021
- Identified and developed new partnerships to support aggressive growth targets
- Reduced overall cost basis of primary products (43% cost reduction) and increased capacity (35%), while mitigating overall risk
- Identified, negotiated and closed on two acquisitions in support of overall business growth: $6M molding and assembly business (August 2019) and a $5M adjacent marked expansion (February 2020).
Director, Business Development
Amsted Rail
11.2015 - 06.2016
- Managed the annual business planning effort and strategic five year outlook for a $1.3B global manufacturing enterprise
- Reported to CEO and CFO on project basis and demonstrated effectiveness in working within the 'white space' of the organization
- Supported strategic M&A efforts developing leads across domestic and international geographies
- Completed a $10M acquisition of a bolt on product category and launch a $7.5M plastics joint venture.
Sr. Manager, Strategy Development
Amsted Rail
01.2014 - 11.2015
- Supported international business development efforts of Amsted Rail
- Led efforts to turn around Australia/NZ region, achieving +$12M sales growth over five years (from $2M to $15M in 2020)
- Successfully introduced product categories into new geographies including cast wheels and end of car components
- Forged new partnerships and supply/distribution agreements in support of regional growth in UK, Mid-East, South America, Europe and SE Asia.
Finance & Operations Manager
Amsted Digital (IONX)
05.2011 - 01.2013
- Direct oversight for finance, accounting, manufacturing and supply chain activities for an IoT startup formed in 2009 (formerly IONX) focused on remote asset monitoring for the rail industry
- Key stakeholder and member of leadership team during period of exceptional growth and business transformation
- From 2011 to 2014, Amsted Digital increased sales by 205%, boosted return on sales by 25%
- Net inventory was decreased 35% and operational costs (COGS) were reduced by 20%
- Successfully managed new product launches and led efforts to outsource manufacturing.
Controller
Amsted Digital (IONX)
02.2010 - 01.2011
- Responsible for all financial reporting, accounting, audit, planning and strategic modeling
- Supported <$5M bolt on acquisition and related due diligence
- Implemented accounting system (SAP) projects to meet revenue recognition changes
Financial Analyst
Robert Bosch
05.2008 - 02.2010
- Rotational program offering broad automotive manufacturing exposure across finance, accounting, marketing and supply chain functions.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
St. Bonaventure University
Olean, NY05.2008
Skills
- Early stage & new business startup
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Capital Markets and fundraising
- Government Affairs
- Strategic business planning
- Financial systems and management
- Operations management
- New Product and Process Introduction
- Quality Management
- Lithium Ion Battery Anode Materials
Continued Education
- Chicago Booth, Executive Education Classes 2019-2021
- IATF (Automotive) Core Tools Certification, 2018
- Notre Dame, Executive Education, Innovation Seminar, 2018
- Dartmouth, Executive Education, Digital Transformation Seminar, 2017
- Chicago Booth, Executive Education Modules 2013-2015
Timeline
CFO and VP Business Dev
Ionic Mineral Technologies
03.2023 - Current
Strategic Advisor
G6 Energy Corp
03.2023 - Current
CFO and Co-Founder
Anovion Technologies
01.2022 - 03.2023
VP, Head of Business Development
Amsted Rail
11.2020 - 01.2022
VP, Finance and Strategy
Amsted Seals
01.2018 - 11.2020
General Manager
Inno-Spin
06.2016 - 11.2020
Director, Business Development
Amsted Rail
11.2015 - 06.2016
Sr. Manager, Strategy Development
Amsted Rail
01.2014 - 11.2015
Finance & Operations Manager
Amsted Digital (IONX)
05.2011 - 01.2013
Controller
Amsted Digital (IONX)
02.2010 - 01.2011
Financial Analyst
Robert Bosch
05.2008 - 02.2010
Bachelor of Science -
St. Bonaventure University
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