NUBURU Appoints Brian Knaley as new CEO

Rhea-AI Summary

NUBURU, Inc. has announced the appointment of Brian Knaley as the new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Dr. Mark Zediker. Knaley, who previously served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, brings over 25 years of experience in finance and operations. The Board is confident that Knaley's expertise will support the Company's transformation and drive its next phase of growth.

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NUBURU, Inc. (“NUBURU” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: BURU), a leading innovator in high-power and high-brightness industrial blue laser technology, today announced the appointment of Brian Knaley as the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Dr. Mark Zediker, who has left the Company to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Knaley has also joined NUBURU’s Board of Directors upon assuming the role.

Mr. Knaley, who had served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since February 2022, has over 25 years of experience in finance and operations. Prior to joining NUBURU, Mr. Knaley served as the chief financial officer of CEA Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: CEAD), a provider of controlled environmental solutions, and as chief financial officer of Proximo Medical LLC, a start-up specializing in the commercialization of medical devices. He also served as senior vice president and interim chief financial officer of ViewRay (NASDAQ:VRAY), a global manufacturer of MRI-guided radiation therapy systems. Mr. Knaley holds a BA in Accounting from Thomas More College and is a licensed CPA in the State of Ohio.

“NUBURU’s Board is focused on transforming the Company to support the commercialization of our technology. As such, we are pleased to appoint Brian as the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer. He is an accomplished and respected leader with profound expertise in scaling and operating public companies. We are confident he is the right person to lead NUBURU’s next phase of growth,” said Ron Nicol, Executive Chairman, NUBURU. “I look forward to working with Brian in his new role as CEO, as well as the rest of the Board and NUBURU leadership, to lead the Company into a successful future. I also want to thank Mark for his tireless work in setting the foundation for NUBURU.”

Brian Knaley, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of NUBURU, commented: “I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead NUBURU’s next phase of growth, working with the Board, Ron and my management team to deliver sustainable value and results as a public company. We have a great foundation in our cutting-edge blue laser technology and along with the excellent NUBURU team we will execute on the vast commercial opportunities ahead of us.”

About NUBURU

Founded in 2015, NUBURU, Inc. (NYSEAM: BURU) is a developer and manufacturer of industrial blue lasers that leverage fundamental physics and their high-brightness, high-power design to produce faster, higher quality welds and parts than current lasers can provide in laser welding and additive manufacturing of copper, gold, aluminum and other industrially important metals. NUBURU’s industrial blue lasers produce minimal to defect-free welds that are up to eight times faster than the traditional approaches — all with the flexibility inherent to laser processing. For more information, please visit www.nuburu.net.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including relating to its partnership with GE Additive. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “seek,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NUBURU and its management, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability to continue to meet the security exchange’s listing standards; (2) failure to achieve expectations regarding its product development and pipeline; (3) the inability to access sufficient capital to operate as anticipated, whether from Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC or other sources; (4) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (5) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (6) the possibility that NUBURU may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (7) volatility in the financial system and markets caused by geopolitical and economic factors; (8) failing to realize benefits from the partnership with GE Additive; and (9) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in NUBURU’s most recent periodic report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. NUBURU does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expected results. NUBURU assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231101555921/en/

Investor Relations:

Cody Slach & Ralf Esper

Gateway Group, Inc.

BURU@gateway-grp.com

(949) 574-3860

Media Relations:

Zach Kadletz & Anna Rutter

Gateway Group, Inc.

BURU@gateway-grp.com

(949) 574-3860

Source: NUBURU, Inc.

FAQ

Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of NUBURU, Inc.?

Brian Knaley has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of NUBURU, Inc.

Who did Brian Knaley replace as the Chief Executive Officer?

Brian Knaley replaced Dr. Mark Zediker as the Chief Executive Officer of NUBURU, Inc.

What is Brian Knaley's background and experience?

Brian Knaley has over 25 years of experience in finance and operations. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of NUBURU, Inc. and held executive positions in other companies such as CEA Industries Inc., Proximo Medical LLC, and ViewRay.

What is NUBURU's focus for the future?

NUBURU's Board is focused on transforming the Company to support the commercialization of its technology.

What are the expectations for NUBURU's next phase of growth?

The Board is confident that Brian Knaley, as the new CEO, will lead NUBURU's next phase of growth and deliver sustainable value and results as a public company.

What did Ron Nicol, Executive Chairman of NUBURU, say about the appointment of Brian Knaley?

Ron Nicol stated that Brian Knaley is an accomplished and respected leader with profound expertise in scaling and operating public companies, and is the right person to lead NUBURU's next phase of growth.

What did Brian Knaley say about his new role as CEO?

Brian Knaley expressed his honor and excitement for the opportunity to lead NUBURU's next phase of growth and deliver sustainable value and results as a public company.

What did Brian Knaley mention about NUBURU's blue laser technology?

Brian Knaley mentioned that NUBURU has a great foundation in its cutting-edge blue laser technology and, along with the excellent NUBURU team, they will execute on the vast commercial opportunities ahead of them.