Joseph Brewer, Ph.D.
Founder, President, Chief Technology Officer & Board Member
Dr. Brewer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Minot State University and both Masters of Science (Physical Chemistry) and Ph.D. (Inorganic Chemistry) degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr. Brewer worked under the mentorship of Dr. Chin Li “Barry” Cheung. He has 13 peer-reviewed publications and holds five patents based on rare earth technologies.
Dr. Brewer started his first company, Rare Earth Solar, based on his patent for a high efficiency photovoltaic materials utilizing rare earth elements. The lack of a domestic supply of rare earth elements necessitated the development of the technology behind Rare Earth Salts. Dr. Brewer oversees all research and development within Rare Earth Salts and is responsible for the effective scaling and execution of the technology.
He is an active member of the community in Beatrice, Nebraska with senior roles at a multitude of community service organizations.
Kayla Brewer
Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Brewer was born in a small town in North Dakota and grew up around the world as the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran. Prior to joining the executive management team at Rare Earth Salts as Chief Financial Officer, she was as an auditor with the Auditor of Public Accounts, State of Nebraska. Prior to her work with the State, Ms. Brewer spent three years building the accounting departments of Rare Earth Solar and its parent company, Rare Earth Holding.
Ms. Brewer is a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Administration Fraternity and is active in multiple community associations and finance committees in Nebraska.
Ms. Brewer graduated with the highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance.
Frank S. Schieldrop
Chief Operating Officer & Board Member
Mr. Schieldrop has more than 25 years managerial experience at C-level from the Energy & Oil & Gas sectors, primarily in the oil service segment, in the capacities of operations, sales, business development, management and leadership roles. This comprises companies with origins and head offices in Norway, Europe, Japan and the United States.
Mr. Schieldrop was part of Weatherford International for 15 years, including 9 years as CEO & Country Manager for all Norwegian-based activity as well as Chairman for all entities in Norway. Further, he served for 3 years as the Global Account Manager for Weatherford’s business with Statoil worldwide.
Since 2015, Mr. Schieldrop has served as an executive with a focus area on disruptive Innovation from a Blue Ocean Strategy perspective and implementation, both for start-ups and within established companies. Since 2019, he has served as a partner in BirdieBreeze AS, a Norwegian family office, and he has been full-time engaged to support the investment and development of Rare Earth Salts.
Mr. Schieldrop holds a Market Economist degree from Norwegian Business School and Executive Management degree in Innovation, Strategy and Leadership from INSEAD in France.
He has also served as member of OLF/NOROG’s (The Norwegian Oil & Gas Association) top management forum for the supply industry for 5 years.
Ryan Winburn, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research & Development
Dr. Winburn received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a Masters of Science (Physical Chemistry) from the University of North Dakota, and a Ph.D. (Analytical Chemistry with an Inorganic Chemistry emphasis) from North Dakota State University. At North Dakota State University, Dr. Winburn worked under the mentorship of Dr. Gregory McCarthy.
Prior to joining Rare Earth Salts in 2013, Dr. Winburn was an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Minot State University. During his time at Minot State University, he ran an active research group that was predominately focused on systematic studies of materials characterization, environmental sampling and analysis, solid-state synthesis and characterization of transition metal compounds, and theoretical studies of unique bonding in main group compounds. Dr. Winburn was also the Chairperson for the Division of Science for seven years, managing a group of 15 faculty and administrative personnel. He has 13 peer-reviewed publications and is the co-inventor of the patented technology used at Rare Earth Salts.
Dr. Winburn has worked in collaboration with both the Unites States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Through his collaboration with NIST, he has been involved with the certification of three Standard Reference Materials (SRMs).