John Mayes Email & Phone Number

Henderson, Nv, Us

Overland Park, Ks, Us

Provided technical support to the project team engaged in design and construction of a greenfield lithium extraction and conversion plant. Responsibilities encompassed all aspects of the project including project management, operational readiness. and commissioning.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Provided process expertise to the capital projects team engaged in major expansion of the facility from brine wellfield through lithium carbonate expansion. Project manager for various related projects involving solid/liquid separation, piping and pumping system modifications, and raw material recovery.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

At the request of the leadership team, assumed responsibility for the New Johnsonville site on an interim basis following the unexpected departure of the plant manager. Site produces lithium and magnesium based organometallic catalysts, exhibiting pyrophoric properties, in various organic solvents. Initiated and directed process safety program improvements including a major capital investment program to establish safety instrumented systems in three operating units.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Joined Albemarle in October 2015 directing lithium mining and refining operations in Silver Peak. Developed and executed a site reorganization plan that eliminated inefficient operations, split safety and environmental roles to better focus on safety and sustainability, established an effective maintenance/mechanical integrity program, implemented ISO Quality program improvements, and established a separate continuous improvement role.

Responsible for executing major capital projects and supporting corporate efforts to improve process safety performance, productivity, and regulatory compliance. Directed turnaround activities, and led a mechanical integrity audit, in Morocco representing DuPont Sustainable Technologies. Completed conceptual design and FEED for a major productivity improvement project, and executed several smaller capital projects, for TETRA Technologies in West Memphis, AR. Directed start-up activities for an equipment fabrication shop in Tulsa, OK.

Directed operations of three sulfuric acid manufacturing facilities located in Washington State, Georgia and California. Identified and championed numerous process changes to improve throughput, product quality, efficiency, safety and environmental compliance. Developed, maintained and controlled annual capital spending budgets and strategic capital spending plans. Position eliminated following company restructuring to reduce operating costs as investors prepared for sale of company.

Managed four manufacturing facilities on a single site with over 400 employees: titanium tetrachloride production, magnesium reduction to titanium sponge, magnesium chloride electrolysis, and electric furnace melting operations. Directed installation and start-up of an advanced waste water treatment plant totally eliminating multiple containment ponds. Implemented an aggressive maintenance program to improve reliability of the titanium reactors (proprietary vacuum distillation process). Directed plant expansion project - successfully increased capacity by 40% within tight time and budget constraints. Initiated process improvements that improved electrolytic cell efficiency and on-stream times.

Appointed Director of Technology in January 2003. Prior to assuming post, accepted temporary assignment directing key business unit operations at the corporation’s flagship facility in Delaware, following the unexpected departure of a key manager. Assignment extended with the subsequent announcement of the facility’s closure by the end of 2003. Responsibilities focused on safety and environmental performance, maintaining plant reliability, and fulfilling customer requirements as plant operations wound down.

Led plant management team, directing the operations of four chemical manufacturing facilities located in California, Washington, New Jersey, and Georgia, as well as a deepwater terminal in Maryland. Also, provided technical oversight of business unit operations at the Delaware plant. Improved reliability and reduced operating risk. Established and led a task force composed of internal experts and industry consultants to identify operating risk reduction opportunities. Identified and eliminated a number of significant risk exposures. Improved safety and environmental performance. Established specific management controls and implemented measures to effect a fundamental cultural change. Realized significant reductions in OSHA recordable injuries, environmental releases, and TRI emissions. Improved customer service. Built strong relationships with customers and internal sales and marketing staff to ensure continuous improvement in customer satisfaction. Initiated specific corrective actions resulting in an 80% reduction in customer complaints over the five year period. Completed ISO 9002 certification / recertification of all facilities. Strengthened management team. Identified the need and executed key plant management changes at two high profile facilities. Improved operating efficiency. Initiated a wide range of cost savings measures focused on improving productivity, operating efficiencies, and technology. Annual cost savings exceeded 10% of planned spending each year.

Led the successful design, construction, and start-up of a grassroots, specialty chemicals manufacturing facility in Malaysia. Assumed full profit and loss responsibility for the joint venture company the final year, reporting to the managing director. Prior to the Malaysian assignment, directed corporate engineering activities, reporting to the president/CEO. Responsible for new process development and commercialization, technical support services, and capital project management. Developed and implemented market penetration plan targeting key export countries – India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Conceived and initiated planning process that linked strategic goals to highly visible and measurable performance standards. Selected operating staff and established training and development program. Established and maintained aggressive health, safety and environmental programs. Developed management control systems and procedures for all functions. Negotiated favorable sales contracts with major customers. Member of corporate strategic planning committee.

Brussels, Be

Mba, Business

Bs, Chemical Engineering