SEA Electric Expands its Leadership Team Within US Based Global Headquarters

Auto Tech Outlook | Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Both leaders ensure a strong Midwest presence bridging SEA Electrics' domestic expansion, including the West Coast, an innovation hub in Iowa, and planning to establish a presence in the larger region of New York.

FREMONT, CA: Proceeding to balance a recent string of successful business strategies, global automotive technology firm SEA Electric, is expanding the leadership team in its USbased global headquarters with the recent management additions of Michael (Mike) Menyhart, Chief Strategy Officer, and Kathleen (Katie) LaVoy, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Both leaders ensure a strong Midwest presence bridging SEA Electrics' domestic expansion, including the West Coast, an innovation hub in Iowa, and planning to establish a presence in the larger region of New York.

According to Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric president, and founder, "The company's biggest learnings over the past year may well have been their silver lining.  The virtual and remote world in which we have all become accustomed has opened opportunities for talents and human capital not tied to a single location and our growth is a living example.  The management team we have created, and now led by Mike and Katie, provide access to the best talent to match our world class technology and IP."

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With previous senior positions at Accenture, SunTrust Bank, and Genpact, Menyhart brings a deep background in banking, business growth, finance, and general management to SEA Electric. His background provides a stable framework and a network of capital market partnerships to help SEA Electric navigate its natural path to becoming a publicly traded business. His prior experience in the areas of digital transformation and emerging technologies will also help SEA Electric maintain its position as the market leader in commercial electric vehicle power systems.

"It is exciting to become involved in an industry and company that will deliver not only tremendous global environmental impact but also deliver compelling outcomes for our clients through unmatched total cost of ownership and reliability," said Menyhart. "We are in a position to lead the movement for global environmental sustainability.  The delivery and logistics industry is at an inflection point, and SEA Electric is driving the industry transformation from harmful greenhouse gases to zero emissions.We will make a huge difference in the world while significantly improving the driver experience and building a better alternative to the internal combustion engine."

The addition of Katie LaVoy as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary brings proven proficiency of strategic thinking and commercial knowledge to find legal and compliance solutions. “Good governance starts before you go public. My number one goal is to apply my past experience and leadership from public companies to build the worldwide compliance necessary for SEA Electric to be regarded as a top tier company one that positions its technology and sustainability on the forefront and recognizes the people that created it," said Katie.

LaVoy's various leadership positions derive from his 13 years of experience at the publicly traded Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a major multinational shipping company that facilitates marine transportation. She graduated from Northwestern University School of Law with a doctorate in law and the Kellogg School of Management with an Executive MBA. Her law experience involves providing high-value legal solutions to difficult problems.

The Future for SEA Electric

"While SEA Electrics roots will always remain in Australia, along with various manufacturing and technology capabilities, the company’s US growth brings an advantage that can later be replicated in Europe, as well. The sheer size of the opportunities before us, which began in Australia and the Pacific region, are exponentially growing within the US and European markets," said Fairweather. "We have an extremely compelling story to tell, from the solid foundation of the technology and people behind us in our original home in Australia to those who are joining our journey worldwide. We are anxious for the future and the positive direction it holds."

SEA Electric has completed its latest acquisition of 1,000 electric vehicle batteries from long-time technology partner Soundon New Energy Technology, following its recent announcement of a $42 million equity financing (China's leading environmental protection industry enterprise). SEA Electrics' patented SEA-Drive 70, 100, and 120 main power-system models are supported by this critical transaction. Although most of the initial units will be sold in the United States, the rest will be distributed across SEA Electric's inventories in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, as well as the company's first foray into the European market.

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