Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has announced the appointment of Mr Stan Knez as its new Chief Technology Officer bringing with him 30 years of industry experience in global technology portfolios and alliance technology collaborations.
Mr Knez was most recently Chief Technology Officer at Technip Energies, where he oversaw product lines, maintained the technology portfolio, and directed innovation and research and development activities.
FFI is at the forefront of the green industrial revolution, developing technology solutions for difficult-to-decarbonize industries and constructing a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia projects with a goal of supplying 15 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
Last week, Fortescue announced that it had reached an agreement to buy Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) through a share sale and purchase agreement. WAE will be administered by FFI and will be vertically integrated into Fortescue’s diversified resources and green energy businesses.
The company has also made investments in technological businesses such as Xergy (now FFI Ionix), HyET Solar, and HyET Hydrogen, and is partnering with Plug Power to create a multi-gigawatt-scale electrolyser factory in Queensland, with work set to begin next month.
FFI Chief Executive Officer Julie Shuttleworth AM said Mr Knez will be a key contributor to FFI cementing itself as a technology leader.
“FFI’s focus on technology will give us the edge in the race to decarbonise the planet and enhance our position to decarbonise heavy industry,” Ms Shuttleworth stated.
“We are looking forward to Stan joining the FFI team. He brings proven leadership skills and a strong track record in identifying early phase energy transition technologies for potential strategic positioning or investment.
Mr Knez has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Cleveland State University and an MBA in finance and international business from the University of St. Thomas (Houston). He graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
Mr. Knez, who will be based in the United States and start on February 1, will be in charge of technology acquisition and investment, as well as the transfer of essential technologies to FFI.
“I am looking forward to starting with FFI as it powers forward creating a green energy and green technology powerhouse that could revolutionise the way we power our planet, decarbonise heavy industry and create jobs globally,” he said.
“We are seeing growing demand for green energy solutions, as industries look for greener fuels to reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals. I’m excited to join the FFI team to help meet that demand.”
