Management Team
Steve Cotton has served as President of the Company since May 2, 2018 and was promoted by the Board of Directors to President and CEO joining the Board as an Executive Director in January, 2019. Steve also served as Chief Commercial Officer of the Company from January 2015 to June, 2017. Previously, Steve co-founded Canara, Inc. (formerly Data Power Monitoring and IntelliBatt) in December 2001 and served as its Chief Executive Officer through the sale of the company to a private equity firm in June 2012, after which he served as Founder and Executive Chairman until April 2014. Canara (now part of CPG Data Center Innovators) is a global provider of stationary battery systems with integrated monitoring systems and cloud-based monitoring services to many of the largest data center operators. Prior to Canara, Steve led a team to commercialize Sendmail (the Worlds' most commonly used Internet email open source software) from free open source to a paid for commercial offering for Internet service providers and cloud offerings requiring mass email volume management including DoubleClick's standardization (acquired by Google). Steve's career began in the early days of voice messaging systems, including Octel Communications (through its $1.1B exit to Lucent Technologies in 1997 and now part of Avaya). From International Product Manager, to Product Manager for Multimedia, Steve then became the top market development person on a staff of 100+ for 2 years running while managing the AT&T Wireless account, then developing new wireless and local exchange carrier markets. His decision to convince AT&T Wireless (and ultimately other operators which followed) to offer voice messaging for free vs. charge, resulted in multi-million dollar sales of Octel equipment to each region. From April 2014 to January 2015 and June 2017 to April 2018, Steve managed his private investments.
Why Aqua
During my time at Canara, part of my duties was to source batteries from battery manufacturers and battery recycling partners in the U.S., China and Europe so I spent quite a bit of time in battery manufacturing and recycling facilities. In 2014, after exiting Canara and while looking for new opportunities, I saw the original pilot electrolyzer that the founders had built making pure, spongy lead before my eyes and immediately knew that AquaRefining could transform energy storage. Knowing that our Aqua journey could transform an industry and significantly help the planet reduce harmful emissions, in the summer of 2019, my family and I moved from our native Bay Area to Tahoe-Reno. We wanted to be fully immersed in this exciting Company and to see through our vision of upgrading an industry and the environment with such a critical core set of technologies.
Ben has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and operations leadership and has been with Aqua Metals since January of 2017. Prior to relocating his family to the Tahoe-Reno area to join Aqua Metals, he spent six years in progressive leadership roles at the Johnson Controls Inc. ("JCI Power Systems Division" now Clarios) Lead Acid Battery Recycling Center in Florence, South Carolina and was a leader in the early planning, construction, commissioning, and scaling of that facility. Ben also led the engineering team to improve battery recycling processes in the new smelter which resulted in a 70% reduction in smelting emissions. Ben was instrumental in delivering a compliant plant for Clarios. He has experience in startups, environmental regulation compliance, process development and operational excellence. Ben has years of design management experience including complex design contracts for the U.S. military. He is highly motivated about being a key part of the new processes used by Aqua Metals to eliminate many of the safety and environmental hazards found at traditional smelters while making the purest lead in the world. Mr. Taecker has a Mechanical Engineering degree from South Dakota State University.
Why Aqua
After six years of working in a traditional smelter, I was recruited to Aqua Metals. After understanding the science and seeing that the technology works, I quickly identified that this was the future of lead acid battery recycling and moved the family from South Carolina to Tahoe-Reno. The human hazards of processing lead at high temperatures and the environmental hazards that come along with operating a smelter could be completely eliminated. My time at Aqua Metals has done nothing but increase my excitement with the process improvements resulting in the safest, most environmentally sustainable, and most energy efficient method of recycling batteries. These are very exciting times at Aqua Metals and I am proud to be part of this industry changing Company.
Eric West was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Aqua Metals, Inc. in 2025 after serving in senior finance roles at the company since 2018. Throughout his tenure, he has helped guide Aqua Metals through multiple stages of growth, supporting efforts to strengthen financial reporting, streamline internal controls, and enhance strategic planning initiatives. Eric worked closely with bankers, lenders, investment funds, and major shareholders to support the company’s fundraising and capital management activities.
With experience across both public and private companies, Eric has overseen budgeting, financial systems, SEC compliance, and cross-functional team development. He has played a key role in aligning financial operations with long-term business objectives and supporting the company’s evolving commercial strategy.
Prior to joining Aqua Metals, Eric held finance leadership positions in the mining and manufacturing industries. He began his career at Grant Thornton LLP, where he focused on financial reporting, internal controls, and external audits across a range of industries. Eric is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. He also serves on business and education-related committees in the Reno area.
Why Aqua
Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to companies that are positioned for transformation—whether through innovative technology, operational scaling, or industry disruption. Aqua Metals combines all three. The opportunity to contribute to a company that is not only rethinking how metals are recovered but also doing so with a cleaner, more sustainable approach deeply resonates with me. What excites me most is being part of a team that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in recycling and clean tech, while helping build the financial and operational foundation needed for long-term success. Aqua Metals is not just building a business—it’s shaping the future of sustainable materials.