Mr. Mugihiko Yanagida serves as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of FirstElement Fuel (FEF), where he acts as the CEO's second-in-command, helping to shape and execute corporate governance, stakeholder relations, business development, strategic partnerships, capital raising, human resources and organizational restructuring. Seconded from Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of FEF’s key investors, Mr. Yanagida plays an instrumental role in fostering mutual trust and alignment between FEF, its investors, and noteholders.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Yanagida built a diverse career at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., beginning with the trading of plastic commodities and investment in mineral resources. In 2015, he transitioned into the hydrogen sector, leading multiple strategic investments spanning green hydrogen production, hydrogen storage manufacturing, and hydrogen infrastructure operations. From December 2021 to April 2024, he served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Hexagon Purus, a global leader in hydrogen equipment, before joining FEF in 2024 as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Execution.

Leveraging his end-to-end expertise and network across the hydrogen value chain, Mr. Yanagida is committed to driving FEF’s global geographic expansion and advancing its growth strategy.

Mr. Yanagida holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Doshisha University.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Shane Stephens is Chief Development Officer and Founder of FirstElement Fuel. In this role he is responsible for overseeing the Company's hydrogen station development, business development (including international activities), and he participates in shaping the company’s government & policy strategies. Dr. Stephens also serves on FirstElement Fuel’s Board of Directors and as the Corporate Secretary.

Previously, Dr. Stephens conducted groundbreaking hydrogen infrastructure research at the University of California, Irvine and led government relations and program development efforts for the National Fuel Cell Research Center. Dr. Stephens also interned at the White House
where he helped design and coordinate policy related to energy and disaster readiness for local communities. As a scientist and thought leader in the clean energy space Dr. Stephens has authored more than a half-dozen peer-reviewed scientific articles and won awards for his work
on fuel cells and how they integrate into the energy ecosystem, including a fellowship from the Newkirk Center for Science and Society and a Public Impact Fellowship from the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Stephens has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Vassar College and a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering from the University of California, Irvine.

Founder, Chief Development Officer

Dr. Matt Miyasato is the Chief Public Policy Programs Officer for FirstElement Fuel and leads the government affairs activities, interfacing with public agencies on strategic hydrogen policies, as well as directly managing grant and incentive opportunities. In this role, Dr. Miyasato is helping to implement the state's aggressive hydrogen and fuel cell policies, deploy hydrogen stations with local air agencies, and expand FirstElement Fuel's presence into other regions.

Prior to joining FirstElement Fuel, Dr. Miyasato served as the Chief Technologist at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the largest local air district in the United States. In that capacity, Dr. Miyasato led the research, development, demonstration and deployment program and initiated many large programs for early hydrogen refueling and zero emission vehicles. He also led the Incentives Programs, which enabled the turnover of thousands of older, dirty vehicles annually.

Chief Policy Officer

Dr. Tim Brown serves as the CEO and Co-Founder of FirstElement Fuel (FEF), overseeing strategy, governance, capital allocation, and operations. With a background as President and Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Brown has played a pivotal role in shaping FEF's technology roadmap and establishing the company as a leader in hydrogen fuel infrastructure. His leadership was instrumental in developing California's hydrogen fueling station network.  


Before founding FEF, Dr. Brown led pioneering research in sustainable energy and transportation at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he managed hydrogen station operations and collaborated on key projects across the energy spectrum. His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science in Automotive Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UCI. Dr. Brown's industry experience at General Motors, specializing in automotive fuel system development, further enhances his comprehensive approach to advancing clean energy solutions.

Dr. Brown is a leading advocate for sustainable transportation, focusing particularly on advancing hydrogen technology to mitigate urban exhaust pollution, reduce carbon emissions, and improve global energy security. His initiatives drive innovations that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member

John Finnucan is the Chief Financial Officer of FirstElement Fuel and is responsible for strategic planning, capital raising, corporate development, financial planning, and accounting. Additionally, Mr. Finnucan maintains and executes the Company’s financial models and budgets and is an integral member of key strategic decision-making processes.


Prior to joining the Company in 2023, Mr. Finnucan served as Chief Accounting Officer at Fisker, where he built and led the Company’s Accounting practice and helped lead the execution of Fisker’s public offering. Prior to Fisker, Mr. Finnucan had a 26-year career at Ernst and Young, where he most recently served as Audit Partner, Americas Professional Practice at Ernst and Young.


Mr. Finnucan is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Akron.

Chief Financial Officer

Ghassan Sleiman is Chief Technology Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer at FirstElement Fuel, overseeing the Company’s Research and Development, Customer Experience, Engineering, Fabrication, Station Operation and Manufacturing efforts. In addition, he is responsible
for fueling station and product innovation, equipment optimization, and vendor partnerships.


Mr. Sleiman has spent eleven years at FirstElement Fuel, playing a pivotal role in the Company’s growth to become the world leader in retail hydrogen. He has built the in-house expertise and processes around station design, permitting, service, sales, and operation of the hydrogen
network. Today our company he is leading world changing innovation with the next generation station design. Throughout his career, Mr. Sleiman has successfully implemented hydrogen solutions across diverse industries, including hydrogen retail fueling, fuel cells, electrolyzers, reformers, blended fuels, energy storage, food industry, power generation, mining, and hydrogen transport and logistics.


Mr. Sleiman has dedicated his entire 27-year professional career to the advancement of hydrogen and has experience across the entire hydrogen value chain. Mr. Sleiman has worked on over 70 hydrogen projects, including over 60 hydrogen refueling stations. Before joining
FirstElement Fuel, Mr. Sleiman worked at Cummins (formerly Hydrogenics) and Stuart Energy Systems across various roles and responsibilities including managing technical aspects for a multitude of Fortune 500 companies’ hydrogen projects.


Mr. Sleiman has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Chief Technology Officer, Interim Chief Operating Officer

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Leadership

Together, with our investment partners we are creating a movement, and a hydrogen economy. Do you want to decrease your carbon footprint? We do too. Let's build a better future.

Air Liquide

JBIC

South Coast AQMD

Mitsui

Honda

Air Water

California Energy Commission

MUFG

Nikkiso

Mitsubishi HC Capital

Bay Area AQMD

At FirstElement Fuel we are enabling a future of clean and sustainable transportation powered by hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. We are the world leader in the retail hydrogen ecosystem. All we do is hydrogen ─ the first element in the periodic table. It’s in our name. When hydrogen is used to power fuel cell electric vehicles the only byproduct is water vapor.

At the core of our commitment to our customers is our True Zero network – the world’s most extensive network of hydrogen fueling stations. With True Zero, we are accelerating the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel for light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles and helping to create a clean energy future.

Fast refueling, long range, and zero-emissions; that’s the power of mobility powered by True Zero hydrogen. TEST

HYDROGEN: THE NEXT GENERATION FUEL

HYDROGEN: THE NEXT GENERATION FUEL

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