ETCH Appoints Industry Veteran Katie Ellet as CEO to Lead Decarbonization Revolution
In a significant move towards accelerating the clean energy transition, ETCH, Inc., a leading decarbonization company, has appointed Katie Ellet as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ellet, a renowned expert with over 25 years of experience in the chemicals and energy sectors, brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the role. She will guide ETCH’s strategic direction, overseeing the company’s expansion into new markets, strengthening industry partnerships, and driving the transition to customer-focused solutions.
Ellet joins ETCH from Air Liquide, where she served as President of Hydrogen Energy & Mobility in North America. In this role, she played a pivotal part in Air Liquide’s over $1 billion investment in hydrogen initiatives across the United States. Notably, she secured Air Liquide’s participation in six of the seven Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen Hubs, demonstrating her ability to drive significant growth in project portfolios and establish herself as a leading advocate for hydrogen solutions nationwide.
Ellet’s extensive experience encompasses leading strategic initiatives in commercial development, engineering, technology, carbon management, and mitigating risks in clean energy investments. Her proven track record makes her ideally suited to lead ETCH through its next phase of growth.
“I am honored to join ETCH at such a transformative moment,” said Ellet. “ETCH is more than just a concept; it is a practical and groundbreaking solution that presents a real and immediate opportunity to significantly reduce global emissions affordably. I look forward to leading the talented team at ETCH and accelerating the transition to a secure energy future.”
ETCH’s innovative technology, developed in the labs of Johns Hopkins University, has garnered significant attention and accolades. The patented ETCH Process™ utilizes a recyclable catalyst to convert nearly 100% of natural gas input into hydrogen and solid carbon, regardless of scale. This closed-loop method provides a unique and versatile solution for diverse stakeholders’ energy needs by integrating seamlessly into the global natural gas ecosystem. The process also requires less energy and no water, enabling rapid decarbonization and geographical versatility.
“Katie’s expertise and leadership experience align perfectly with ETCH’s mission to drive innovative decarbonization solutions, making her the ideal choice for CEO,” said Dr. Jonah Erlebacher, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of ETCH. “Katie’s appointment is a strong confirmation of the significant market and potential of ETCH’s technology, and we are confident her guidance will help us achieve new milestones as we commercialize the ETCH Process and scale our impact.”
ETCH’s journey began with an Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) grant in 2015. Since then, the company has received additional grants and seed funding from Emerald Development Managers in 2022. ETCH is poised to revolutionize the clean energy sector with its environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and scalable approach to decarbonization.
About ETCH
ETCH, Inc. is a revolutionary decarbonization company that eliminates carbon from natural gas to produce both clean hydrogen and solid carbon. Formulated in the labs of Johns Hopkins University and a recipient of a competitive DOE ARPA-E grant, ETCH is committed to accelerating the clean energy transition through a solution that delivers unrivaled environmental impact, economic value, and versatility. For more information on ETCH, please visit www.etchmaterials.com.
