Flash Metals USA Inc. is a U.S.-based industrial technology company focused on the sustainable recovery of rare earth elements and other critical metals, from unconventional and high-value feedstocks.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Flash Metals USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Metallium Ltd (ASX: MTM / OTCQX: MTMCF), an Australian-listed clean-tech company specializing in breakthrough processing of critical and strategic metals.
Reshoring Critical Metals with Strategic Technology
LEADERSHIP
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President & Managing Director, Flash Metals USA
Steve Ragiel is a seasoned CEO and board-level executive with over 30 years of global experience in industrial services, environmental services, technology commercialization, and renewable energy. With a career that spans leadership roles at prominent companies, including Waste Management and Greenstar North America, Steve has built a remarkable track record of building successful businesses. At Greenstar North America, he founded and grew the company into a $200 million annual operation with 20 facilities, while at Waste Management's Recycle America Alliance, he scaled the business to $750 million per year, making it the largest recycling company in North America.
Steve has a deep expertise in operational efficiency, team leadership, and business strategy, having spearheaded infrastructure development, customer solutions, and business expansion across multiple sectors. His extensive knowledge of supply and demand dynamics in the US industrial recycling industry has made him a pivotal figure in the transition to more sustainable resource management practices.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. His experience and leadership have been recognized across numerous platforms, including serving on the National Recycling Coalition Board of Directors. He is also a veteran public speaker, having addressed Fortune 500 boards, Wall Street analysts, and international panels on environmental stewardship and business sustainability.
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Chief Executive Officer, Metallium Ltd
Michael Walshe brings over 15 years of global expertise in engineering, operations, and technology commercialization, with a strong focus on innovation in the minerals, chemicals, and renewable energy sectors. As CEO of Metallium Ltd (ASX: MTM), Michael is at the forefront of developing Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, a breakthrough process enhancing the sustainable recovery of critical and precious metals—an area critical to advancing clean energy and high-tech industries.
Prior to MTM, Michael served as CEO of Voltaic Strategic Resources Ltd (ASX: VSR), a Battery Metals and Rare Earths exploration company. His career includes a decade with Metso:Outotec, a global leader in mining and metals processing technology solutions, where he held senior leadership roles such as Director and Vice President for the Asia Pacific Minerals division.
Michael’s extensive international experience spans a wide range of mineral projects, with a strong focus on Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and South Korea. His work has covered an array of critical and precious metals, including lithium, rare earths, nickel, copper, zinc, and gold.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Chemical and Process Engineering (Hons.) from University College Dublin and an MBA in Finance from the Australian Institute of Business. He is a chartered engineer with Engineers Australia and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (AusIMM).
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Vice President of Integration, Flash Metals USA
Sam Klos focuses on strategic growth, plant and technology efficiency, and building partnerships both with industry and in the communities in which Flash Metals USA operates. He previously was the Vice President of Business Development for the company, during which he developed key relationships with key Alumina producers, REE refiners, and other corporations in the mineral processing industry.
Prior to joining Flash Metals USA in October 2024, Sam spent a decade at Kiewit, where he served in procurement leadership roles across major infrastructure projects including CovePoint, NorthWater, and other large-scale energy and water treatment projects. In this capacity, Sam managed key industrial raw material sourcing relationships, procurement of subcontract services and overall material delivery contracts.
Before joining the infrastructure industry, Sam played professional soccer in the United States, Finland, and Iceland. He holds a business degree from Marquette University.
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Mr. Bowman brings a distinguished record of leadership in national security, energy innovation, and government strategy, with a career spanning both public service and the private sector. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, National Security Solutions at Siemens Government Technologies, Inc., the U.S. government arm of Siemens. In this role, he leads strategic growth initiatives by aligning Siemens’ advanced technologies with the complex needs of government customers in energy, automation, and digitalization.
Prior to his leadership at Siemens, Mr. Bowman served over 25 years in the U.S. Army, culminating in his role as Strategic Military Law and Policy Advisor/Legislative Counsel to the Secretary of the Army—a position he was selected to establish and held for more than seven years, advising two Secretaries and two Acting Secretaries of the Army.
Mr. Bowman is a graduate of Longwood University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He holds advanced degrees in military law and strategic studies, and is a member of the Virginia State Bar with admissions to practice before both the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Advisory Board
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Mr. Travis Langster is an aerospace and defense executive with more than two decades of experience in the U.S. Department of Defense and private industry. He has held senior leadership roles shaping U.S. space, missile defense, and industrial base policy, and is recognized for driving collaboration between government, industry, and international partners.
His career spans critical areas including defense supply chain resilience, international policy development, and commercial space integration, making him a highly respected voice across both federal and industry circles.
He holds an Aerospace Engineering degree from Purdue University, where he was awarded Aerospace Engineer of the Year, further underlining his technical foundation and industry recognition.
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Director of Sourcing and Strategy, Flash Metals USA
Ian Ragiel leads efforts to strengthen and expand the company’s renewable metals supply chain. His work focuses on developing strategic sourcing initiatives, identifying new markets, and building partnerships with companies that share Flash Metals’ commitment to sustainability and responsible resource recovery.
Ian oversees sourcing operations, vendor relationships, and business development initiatives that help recover and repurpose critical materials from e-scrap, obsolete electronics, and end-of-life magnets. He is currently spearheading the development of holistic sourcing strategies and supporting the launch of Flash Metals’ new facilities in Gator Point and Anahuac, Texas.
Ian brings a diverse professional background spanning operations, marketing, and business development. Prior to joining Flash Metals USA, he held leadership and client-facing roles across multiple industries, managing large operational teams, driving new market growth, and building strong relationships with major brands including Phillips 66. Ian holds a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with a Minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin.