Sila has announced key updates to its executive team as the next-generation battery technology company scales its operations with the goal of becoming a global manufacturing leader.
The leadership changes come as Sila builds on its U.S. manufacturing operations and prepares for its next phase of gigascale production. Following seven years developing its science and a further eight years scaling production of its Titan Silicon (Si/C) anode technology, the company has increased output from a gram per batch to a ton per batch. Sila’s goal is now to produce hundreds of tons per day to meet growing demand.
Chris Dougher has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Dougher will lead Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Capital Projects, Quality, Planning, and Industrial Engineering.
Dougher joined Sila nine years ago and has been instrumental in establishing the company’s Alameda production facility. He also led efforts to staff, build out and manage Sila’s Moses Lake manufacturing facility.
Before joining Sila, Dougher spent 11 years at PPG Industries, a global chemical and coatings company, where he was responsible for building and managing manufacturing facilities. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Master of Environmental Management and an MBA from Duke University.
Gene Berdichevsky, Co-founder and CEO of Sila, commented, “Chris has been a force of nature at Sila, defined by a relentless drive for operational excellence, and a talent for building world-class teams. As we accelerate into our next phase of giga-scale production, Chris will be the engine driving our success internally while showcasing Sila’s powerhouse capabilities to the global stage.”
Gwen Hsu has joined Sila as VP, Product, bringing more than 20 years of product management experience in the electronics industry. Her experience includes managing mixed-discipline R&D teams and working across a range of development and manufacturing approaches, including OEM, ODM and contract manufacturing models across both B2B and B2C markets.
Hsu holds an MBA from National Taiwan University and a BA in International Trade from National Chengchi University. Her role will support Sila’s efforts in anode and new product initiatives, while Hsu will also partner with the executive team on product strategy and go-to-market options.
Gene Berdichevsky, Co-founder and CEO of Sila, said, “Batteries are foundational to the world’s most critical industries and Sila’s technology makes every one of them better. Defining and executing a product strategy that delivers maximum impact isn’t just an advantage for Sila, it’s pivotal to our growth and our mission. Gwen’s seasoned product leadership and deep, practical grasp of the global supply chain ecosystem are exactly what we need to execute this vision, scale our impact, and serve our customers as we manage this new phase of growth.”
