Leadership

John became part of Navitas in 2020, bringing with him more than 35 years of expertise shaped by leadership roles at A123 Systems, Vertiv, and TRW.

John was initially drawn to Navitas by the reputation and long‑standing stability of East Penn—a leading lead battery manufacturer that is the parent company of Navitas—he soon discovered something even more compelling. Within Navitas, John found a rare balance: a nimble, innovative‑driven team at the forefront of Lithium‑Ion technology, supported by the financial strength and enduring values of a US based, privately held, family‑run parent company. It’s this unique blend of agility and stability with the customer-centric values and support that continues to inspire his work today.

John’s visionary approach drives his ability to implement transformative strategies within the lithium-ion battery sector. His most relevant experience stems from over a decade at A123 Systems, a mid-sized automotive Tier 1 supplier that engineered and manufactured lithium-ion battery cells, modules, and both low and high voltage packs for numerous global vehicle OEM’s . During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in growing the automotive division from a 12-person U.S.-based start-up to a global company with over 2,000 employees generating $500 million annually. The company operated facilities in the US, Europe, China, and Korea, producing tens of millions of battery cells and hundreds of thousands of battery packs.

To complement his experience at A123, John also worked at Vertiv, a U.S.-based provider of critical infrastructure and services for data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments. As the Executive Director of Global Product Development Process and Governance, he was responsible for the Global Program/Product Management team, integrating battery backup products into the company’s portfolio. His analytical mindset enables him to identify patterns and trends, ensuring that product development aligns with market needs.

John began his career at Kelsey-Hayes who was then soon acquired by TRW Automotive, one of the world’s largest Tier 1 automotive suppliers, where he contributed to product development for vehicle stability control and anti-lock brake systems. As Chief Engineer of the North American Brake Systems group, he led a team of approximately 50 engineers. His involvement in industry firsts, such as the launch of Rear Wheel Anti-Lock brakes and Stability Control Systems, showcases his effectiveness in translating strategic objectives into tangible outcomes.

John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Systems Design/Optimization, both from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Eric is responsible for overseeing Navitas’ financial activities and executing the financial strategy. 

He brings over 20 years of financial and leadership experiences to Navitas gained through roles with PwC, The Flint Group, Eberspaecher North America, EnvisionTEC and Extang/Truck Hero. 

Throughout his career, Eric has built a solid foundation in financial reporting, managing financial controls to prepare accurate financial statements. He has maintained vital relationships with lending institutions, insurance providers, vendors, customers, and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and collaboration across the business.

At Extang/Truck Hero, prior to Navitas, Eric served as Plant Controller, where he effectively understood and reported on the plant’s operational performance. His role involved developing insights into labor, material, and other key cost variances, alongside tracking essential operational metrics and crafting detailed budgets and forecasts.

Eric is a Certified Public Accountant and graduated from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Bill is responsible for Navitas’ Operations activities as the Vice President of Operations. 

He has found the work environment to be one of the most rewarding in his career, appreciating the strong sense of pride, camaraderie, and enjoyment among employees at both Navitas and East Penn. Bill is proud to be part of such an incredible team and values the collaborative spirit that drives their success.

Before joining Navitas in April 2024, Bill spent five years in the battery manufacturing sector, working with Our Next Energy (ONE) and Microvast. At ONE, he led Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Operations for Pack and Energy Storage products, showcasing his inventive approach to operational challenges. Previously, as VP of North American Manufacturing at Microvast, he oversaw the construction of 2GWh plants in China and the U.S., managing various functions including Operations, Engineering, EHS, Facilities, Maintenance, SCM, and Procurement.

Earlier in his career, Bill dedicated 12 years to healthcare technology with EpiphanyRx and Change Healthcare. He successfully led the sale of a start-up Pharmacy Benefits Management company at EpiphanyRx. At Change Healthcare, he managed IT and Operations, driving process improvements that enhanced efficiency. Following Change’s acquisition by Blackstone, Bill collaborated with the Private Equity team and CEO to establish the largest healthcare printing and data conversion operation in the U.S. through strategic acquisitions.

Bill has also held leadership roles in diverse industries, including four years as CEO of a large low-voltage contracting company, seven years at Dell in manufacturing leadership roles, and two years in warehouse and transportation management consulting at PwC.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the U.S. Naval Academy and served five years as an Artillery Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He later earned a Master’s in Industrial and Operations Engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan, where he was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Tauber Institute for Global Operations.

Craig is responsible for all Research activities as well as all engineering efforts for both the Government & Defense and Commercial & Industrial product divisions of Navitas. 

With over 25 years of engineering leadership experience, Craig has a meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence which have been pivotal in driving successful outcomes in his projects throughout his career. 

Before joining Navitas, Craig gained valuable experience in the alternative energy sector, serving as program manager for a solid oxide fuel cell business within Ultra Electronics, formerly known as Adaptive Materials Incorporated, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Craig also brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous roles at Eaton Corporation, where he focused on automotive R&D, product engineering, program management, and aerospace engineering management.

Craig holds a B.S. in Physics from Roberts Wesleyan College, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an M.S. in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan.

John is the Director of Human Resources at Navitas Systems, having joined the company in November 2024. 

John sought an opportunity with Navitas whose mission and values align with his own. He prioritizes having a fulfilling role where contributes to the stability and success of this growing organization.

Before joining Navitas, John spent two years at the startup Our Next Energy (ONE), supporting their Operations Group. He was responsible for staffing all levels of their Brownfield LFP Cell plant and played a key role in designing the Hourly Employee Handbook, associated policies, and the compensation structure.

John has been a successful HR leader at several mid-sized automotive suppliers across various manufacturing technologies, including battery manufacturing, energy storage, chemical production, metal stamping and assemblies, and injection molding. He also has experience with both Greenfield and Brownfield plant launches.

Earlier in his career, John served as a Senior HR Leader for multiple sites, including QMC-EMI, Shiloh Industries, BASF, and A123 Systems. While at A123 Systems, he launched their first Michigan-based LFP Coating facility and a Pack Assembly operation in the Czech Republic. He also completed an overseas assignment at their Hangzhou, China campus, focusing on strengthening the local HR team in areas such as compensation, recruitment, performance management, and policy implementation.

John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Madonna College and brings over 35 years of HR and manufacturing experience to his role at Navitas.

Sherry Claudio joined Navitas in 2025 and serves on the Executive Leadership Team, bringing more than 15 years of program management and operational leadership experience, along with 25 years within manufacturing, across the energy storage, automotive, defense, and consumer products industries. Her background includes Director of Program Management, Staff Program Management, Supply chain and Operational leadership roles at Proterra, SLPT Global Pump Group, and Pernod Ricard.

Sherry was attracted to Navitas by the opportunity to help mature and scale program execution within a growing organization focused on disciplined delivery, governance, and customer alignment. Since joining Navitas, she has focused on strengthening program governance, improving execution transparency, and building a high-performing Program Management Office that supports strategic and customer priorities, including leading the East Penn/Navitas Executive Steering Team process to establish structured decision-making, governance cadence, and executive portfolio visibility.

Sherry’s execution-focused leadership enables her to implement scalable program strategies across complex, regulated manufacturing environments. Her most relevant experience stems from leading enterprise program management functions within energy storage and automotive Tier 1 organizations, where she built and matured PMOs supporting global product portfolios, multi-site manufacturing operations, and high-volume production programs. In these roles, she implemented phase-gate frameworks and digital enablement that improved predictability, accountability, and cross-functional alignment across engineering, operations, and supply chain teams.

Sherry holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Ethics from John Brown University.