TreadStone Technologies Appoints Dan Russell, Former Ascend Elements COO, to Board

TreadStone Technologies appointed Dan Russell to its board of directors, the company said in a PRLog announcement on October 20, 2026. Russell previously served as chief operating officer of Ascend Elements, where he led global capacity expansion that raised the company's valuation from $20 million to more than $1.6 billion in four years.

Dan Russell's Board Appointment at TreadStone

Russell brings more than 40 years of technical and operational leadership experience in cleantech, performance materials and critical minerals, according to the announcement. At Ascend Elements, he led global capacity expansion efforts that drove the company's valuation from $20 million to more than $1.6 billion in four years. Before Ascend Elements, Russell held executive-level positions at startups in the electric vehicle battery, optoelectronic materials, and solar industries. As vice president of international operations for Evergreen Solar, he led global expansion efforts establishing wholly owned and joint-venture, fully integrated photovoltaic plants across the United States, Europe and Asia.

"We're excited about the momentum in our flow battery program and production scale-up, and Dan brings the hands-on operating experience to help us build on it," Eric Shepardson, chief executive officer of TreadStone Technologies, said. "He knows what it takes to scale manufacturing, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the board."

Russell holds a bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering from Alfred University and a master's degree in engineering management from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The appointment follows other additions to the board earlier in 2026 and comes as TreadStone builds on developments across its technology programs and manufacturing operations, including advancing its U.S. Department of Energy-funded flow battery coating program into Phase 3, the commercialization stage.

TreadStone's Recent Board and Leadership Moves

TreadStone appointed Carl D. Glaeser, co-founder and managing partner of Palladian Capital Partners with 15+ investments from origination to exit, to its board of directors in March 2026 to accelerate commercialization, according to akta.pro company records. In May 2026, Eric Shepardson was appointed president and chief operating officer while founder Gerald DeCuollo transitioned to chairman and CEO, a restructuring aimed at scaling manufacturing and global expansion, the same records show.

Earlier Leadership Changes at TreadStone

TreadStone Technologies' board elected Eric Shepardson chief executive officer effective September 1, 2026, with Gerald DeCuollo becoming executive chairman, PR Newswire reported. The transition followed a year of growth, including a DOE-funded flow battery program advancing to Phase 3 and a facility expansion. In May 2026, citybiz reported that TreadStone appointed Eric Shepardson as president and chief operating officer while founder Gerald DeCuollo transitioned to chairman and CEO, a leadership restructuring aimed at scaling production and commercialization.