Redwood Materials is entering a period of significant internal transition. Chief Operating Officer Chris Lister is officially retiring, marking a high-profile exit for the battery recycling pioneer. Lister, a former Tesla executive who joined the company in late 2023, rose quickly from supply chain lead to COO, working closely with founder and CEO JB Straubel.
A Broader Departure of Leadership
Lister’s exit is part of a wider trend of executive departures. The company has recently seen several key vice presidents move on, including Bradley Mayhew, who led the integrated supply chain, and Guillermo Urquiza, who oversaw mechanical engineering. Additionally, Carlos Lozano, the former VP of manufacturing, recently transitioned to a leadership role at Panasonic.
This exodus of talent—much of it with deep roots at Tesla—comes as the company reevaluates its organizational hierarchy. Straubel has indicated a desire to reduce management layers to increase agility.
Trimming the Workforce for Efficiency
These executive changes coincide with a broader organizational tightening. Redwood recently reduced its total workforce by approximately 10%, a move that affected roughly 135 employees. In communications regarding the layoffs, Straubel noted that certain segments of the company had expanded faster than necessary. By streamlining the team, the company aims to become a more integrated and cost-effective player in the critical materials sector.
Doubling Down on Energy Storage
Despite the internal shifts, Redwood is aggressively pursuing its growth strategy in the energy storage market. The restructuring is designed to support new and existing commercial ventures, including recent deals with Rivian and the AI infrastructure firm Crusoe. Under these agreements, Redwood provides refurbished batteries to be used for grid-scale storage solutions.
By narrowing its focus and operating with a leaner team, Redwood aims to navigate a volatile market that has already claimed several of its competitors. Straubel remains optimistic, positioning the company as a survivor capable of delivering on critical projects with higher efficiency.
