Kokam Leadership
Don I. Nissanka
MSC, BSC, CMFGE
Managing Partner
Don began his career in the battery and power industry with Gates Energy Products as an Industrial Engineer. He coordinated the automation of production lines to improve productivity, quality, and reliability. Through advanced automation initiatives and "common sense" business systems implementation, Don was responsible for obtaining ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DOD) approval.
After the acquisition of Gates by Hawker-Invensys, Don managed the growth of the new patented thin plate pure lead added value business, rising to the role of Director, Aerospace and Defense. During his leadership, Hawker/EnerSys became a major player in the Aerospace and Defense market, and Don became a respected and committed advocate to the war fighter during the Afghan and Iraqi conflict.
Don was instrumental in the design and standardization of advanced power systems into the aerospace and defense market, working jointly with the DOD, FAA, other federal agencies, OEM's and governments of key allies of the United States. Don's experience extends to introducing advanced power systems to OEM's like Gulfstream, Dassault, Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon to name a few. He is a well known figure in the aerospace/defense industry having worked directly on the F-16 Falcon, F-117 Stealth Fighter, F-18 Hornet, C-130 Hercules, several machine gun power systems, missile defense systems, submarines and tactical vehicles. Don brings a blend of both commercial and aerospace/defense experience to Kokam with close to 20 years in the industry.
Joon Kim
Ph. D.
Managing Partner
Dr. Joon Kim is a 23+ year veteran of product development, management, sales, and marketing. Dr. Kim has been involved with the Kokam technology since its inception and is primary resources for all technical aspects of Kokam products.
While holding a corporate leadership role in Kokam America, Dr. Kim brings a wealth of experience from the Lithium battery industry. Prior to joining Kokam America, Dr. Kim was Vice President of Sales & Marketing at EaglePicher Inc. He also held various leadership positions and was responsible for product management, strategic partner programs, government contracts, and coating process development at Sion Power Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to this, Dr. Kim was a Staff Research Associate at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory working on materials for lithium rechargeable batteries. He was also the Director of Corporate R&D Analytical Laboratory and the Research Group Leader performing research projects on conducting polymers, surface/interface phenomena, and sol gel chemistry at LG Chemical in Korea.
Dr. Kim has a Ph.D. in Chemistry with emphasis in electrochemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.S. with Cum Laude in Chemistry from Seoul National University, Korea.
Jeffery T. Kostos
BSC, MBA
Managing Partner
After founding and managing one of the largest pool construction companies in Chicago, Jeff began his professional career in 1986 at Ardco Inc, a manufacturer of refrigeration equipment for the food industry. At Ardco, Jeff worked as a Design Engineer, where he received 5 patents.
Jeff joined GNB Technologies in 1991 as Engineering Manager prior to moving on to International Marketing Manager and then to Director European Business Development, where, after moving to Belgium, he helped to establish GNB's European HQ, several sales offices, and a production facility in France. In 1999 Jeff became President of UK / Ireland for GNB leading his team to achieve significant growth in both market share and profitability. After Exide Technologies acquisition of GNB in 2000, Jeff joined EnerSys as President of European Operations.
In 2002 Jeff and his family returned to the US with EnerSys in his new role as Vice President of Sales - Americas for the Reserve Power business unit. In this position, Jeff led the integration of EnerSys's existing sales force and the newly acquired sales force from Invensys's Energy Storage Division, Hawker.
Jeff brings his entrepreneurial background and extensive battery & power experience in global business development, operations, and commercial sales to the Kokam team.
Larry G. Weatherly, CPA
BSA
Controller
Larry's brings experience as a Lead Systems Analyst for the General Services Administration where his responsibilities extend to planning, analysis, design, and coordination of new system applications. He also develops, tests, modifies and implements these systems when needed.
Prior to this, Larry served as a Lead Auditor/Auditor-in-Charge for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this role, Larry worked on all phases of the audit process including audit referrals, preparation of surveys and audit program reporting. Larry audited various USDA agencies and programs and directed activities and coordinated assignments of other auditors.
Larry's extensive analytical experience dealing with information technology and accounting systems is a great asset to the Kokam team in dealing with commercial and federal accounts.
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