Champion Electric Announces Return of Jonathan Buick as President and CEO
Champion Electric Announces Return of Jonathan Buick as President
and CEO
Toronto, ON – July 17, 2026 – Champion Electric Metals Inc. (CSE: LTHM; OTC: CHELF; FSE:
1QB0) (“Champion Electric” or the "Company") announce that, effective immediately,
Jonathan Buick will resume his previous position as President and Chief Executive
Officer ("CEO") of the Company.
In August 2025, Jonathan stepped down from his positions for health reasons, and the
Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") appointed Nicholas Konkin as Interim
President and CEO to strengthen the Company's foundation and ensure it was properly
structured to capitalize on the coming metals market. Under his leadership, the
Company has completed that work and now stands on solid financial footing, well
positioned for its next phase of growth.
Having made a full recovery, Jonathan returns to lead the Company into that next phase.
The Board and management extend their sincere gratitude to Nicholas for his leadership
and stewardship during this transitional period.
"I am grateful to be back and thankful for the support of our Board, our team, and our
shareholders throughout my absence," said Jonathan Buick, President and CEO of
Champion Electric Metals. "I want to personally thank Nicholas Konkin for his steady
leadership in strengthening the Company's foundation during my absence. I would also
like to welcome Hatem Kawar to the team and extend my gratitude to Donna McLean
for her dedicated service. The Company is well positioned today to focus on growth and
delivering value for our shareholders. I'm energized and ready to get back to work."
Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Hatem Kawar, P.
Eng, MBA, as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). Mr. Kawar has served as a controller
and/or CFO for several public mining companies in Canada for the past 20 years and
acted as a project manager for an industrial minerals operation in Saudi Arabia.
The appointment of Mr. Kawar follows the retirement of Donna McLean, who is stepping
down as CFO. Ms. McLean has served as CFO and Controller for numerous publicly
traded and private companies, managing financial reporting and controls as well as
corporate secretarial administration for established and emerging businesses across a
variety of sectors. The Company thanks Ms. McLean for her valuable contributions and
wishes her all the best in her retirement.
About Champion Electric Metals Inc.
Champion Electric is a discovery-focused exploration company with copper, gold, and cobalt
properties in Idaho, United States. The assets include the 100%-owned Champagne polymetallic
project in Butte County near Arco, Idaho and the Baner gold project in Idaho County (optioned
to Legacy Gold Mines Ltd, TSXV: LEGY). The Company also retains significant claims in the
Idaho Cobalt Belt. The Company’s shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol “LTHM”,
on the OTC Markets under the trading symbol “CHELF”, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
under the symbol “1QB0”. Champion Electric strives to be a responsible environmental steward,
stakeholder, and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates, taking its social
license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations
whenever possible.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF CHAMPION ELECTRIC
“Jonathan Buick”
Jonathan Buick, President and CEO, Director
To learn more, please visit the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company’s
corporate website at www.champem.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phone: (+1) 416-744-9998
Email: [email protected]
THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY
STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
Cautionary Statements
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release may include forward -looking information within the meaning of
Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward -looking information is based on certain key
expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company, including closing of the Transactions and the prospectivity of
the Projects for lithium. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward -looking
information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward -looking information because the
Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward -looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable
securities laws. The Projects are at an early stage of exploration, and the Company cautions that the qualified persons who have
reviewed and approved this news release have not verified scientific or technical information produced by third parties.