Stardust Power appoints Celano as COO

Stardust Power Inc. (“Stardust Power” or the “Company”), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, has announced the appointment of Chris Celano as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Mr. Celano will report directly to the Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Paramita Das. Chris has been working with the Stardust Power team since October 2024 and now begins his duties officially as a member of the executive team.

As COO, Celano brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience, combining a strong background as a Chief Executive Officer, practicing securities attorney, and a graduate of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His diverse expertise spans the energy sector, drilling, engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) fields, along with deep legal knowledge, from which he is uniquely equipped to drive Stardust Power’s strategic and operational goals during this critical phase of the Company’s growth.

In his new role, Celano will oversee the Company’s upstream lithium supply initiatives and processing operations, including discussions around sourcing and site development. He will play a key role in driving the Company’s operational efficiency, advancing the timely delivery of high-quality lithium products, and strengthening relationships with customers and stakeholders. His deep experience in renewables, clean tech, and drilling will be pivotal to the Company’s long-term success as it works to meet growing demand for critical minerals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris as a leader to the Stardust Power team,” said Roshan Pujari, Founder and CEO of Stardust Power. “His combination of executive leadership, EPC expertise, drilling, and legal background will strengthen our management team and accelerate execution of key milestones. As we continue our mission to help secure America’s energy future, Chris’s leadership is instrumental in onshoring critical mineral supply chains and supporting American jobs.”

Celano added, “I’m excited to join Stardust Power at such a pivotal moment in the Company’s growth. I have great respect for Roshan and the team he has assembled, and I’m eager to apply my expertise in clean tech, renewables, EPC and upstream supply extraction to advance the Company’s mission to fill the lithium supply gap in the United States.”

Celano brings extensive international experience in the oil and gas industry, with expertise in drilling operations management, technology, wellsite development, and executive leadership. He previously served as President and CEO of IHI E&C International Corporation, a Houston-based EPC contractor and subsidiary of Tokyo-based IHI Corporation, where he led the successful delivery of complex projects from 2016 to 2024. Under his leadership, IHI E&C executed projects through direct hire and construction management, achieving significant milestones in the energy sector.

In addition to his role at IHI E&C, Celano played a key role in founding a Houston-based oil and gas drilling contractor, Vantage Drilling, helping to guide its transformation following its business combination with a special purpose acquisition company to an operational company. He witnessed the company’s expansion across more than 12 countries, helped develop a backlog exceeding $2 billion and a drilling program capable of reaching depths of 30,000 feet. During his tenure, the company drilled approximately 50 wells, created production capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, and managed construction commitments exceeding $1 billion. He also optimized the company’s organizational structure, successfully financing, constructing, and deploying a robust drilling asset portfolio.