Dr. Bradley Layton
President and acting CTO
Dr. Bradley Layton is an accomplished leader in nanoscale biomechanics with a record of achievements across academia and the private sector. His research focuses on the interface of engineering and biology, where he has advanced the fundamental understanding of biomechanical processes at the nanoscale. Dr. Layton has secured significant federal funding—including key grants from numerous agencies—which has enabled ground-breaking research and innovation in nanoscale biomechanics.
Dr. Layton’s expertise spans nanomaterial behavior and molecular biomechanics, driving improvements in medical devices and biomimetic systems. He has published numerous influential papers and contributed to the development of next-generation molecular-scale circular economy technologies. After earning his undergraduate degree from MIT in mechanical engineering, Layton joined the US Department of Energy’s Office of Space, where he participated in an investigation of lunar soil for the extraction of tritium as a power source for long-term lunar bases. After his groundbreaking work on the nanoscale properties of diabetic nerve tissue at the University of Michigan, Dr. Layton joined the faculty at Drexel University where he led breakthroughs in the understanding of the electrical properties of carbon nanotubes in partnership with the Keck Foundation, discovered novel molecular behavior of collagen under NSF funding. While on the faculty at the University of Montana, Layton continued to develop methods for red blood cell sorting under a NASA initiative, continued with a USDA-sponsored study into drought-tolerance mechanisms in plant models, published Molecular and Cellular Biomechanics, Zero Waste in the Last Best Place and received the Governor’s Award for Sustainability.
Recently Layton was awarded both public and private funding that led to the successful extraction of rare earth elements and critical metals from Powder River Basin coal fly ash. Dr. Bradley Layton’s career exemplifies the union of scientific discovery and entrepreneurial leadership, positioning Montana Critical Metals, Inc. to drive innovation in critical materials and advanced engineering applications.
L. Thomas Heiser
Treasurer, acting CEO
L. Thomas Heiser is a seasoned executive and visionary leader with a proven track record in driving innovation and growth in high-impact industries, including aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. As President and CEO of Heiser Industries, he spearheads initiatives focused on sustainable critical metals extraction, leveraging his extensive experience in strategic leadership and supply chain optimization to deliver cutting-edge solutions for a resource-conscious future.
With a deep commitment to American manufacturing, Mr. Heiser has been instrumental in advancing sustainable practices in critical metals extraction, ensuring environmentally responsible processes that meet the demands of modern industries. His leadership in the acquisition of American Farrier Systems LLC underscores his dedication to building resilient, domestically focused operations that prioritize innovation and economic stewardship.
A passionate advocate for addressing global supply chain challenges, Mr. Heiser brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex market dynamics and fostering strategic partnerships. His insights into the critical role of domestic production and resource independence have positioned Heiser Industries as a leader in the sustainable extraction of critical metals, supporting industries vital to national security and technological advancement. Mr. Heiser’s forward-thinking approach, combined with his ability to translate vision into actionable results, makes him a trusted leader for investors seeking to support sustainable, high-growth opportunities in the critical metals sector. His commitment to operational excellence and economic resilience ensures that Heiser Industries is well-positioned to deliver long-term value in a rapidly evolving global market.
Michael Holecek
Vice-President, Chief Science Officer
An innovator in the field of bio-physics, bio-chemistry and ecological design. Mr. Holecek has administration and leadership experience with integrated land-use design, energy-efficiency design, analysis of solar building systems, and applications of sustainable economic development models. Serve as Executive Director of Huerfano County Economic Development from 1990-94. A 5 year Intern with Richard Crowther AIA, Denver. As Assistant Designer of panelized structural concrete systems for residential solar construction.
Owner of Terra-Homes, Inc. Denver, CO 1984-91~ developer of an insulated lean-concrete casting system in conjunction with Gates Concrete Forming, Rodgers Concrete On-site Batching, Rocky Mountain Fly Ash, Chen and Associates Quality Labs and Brothers Redevelopment. Terra-Homes develop a lean-concrete on-site mixing formulas of lean concrete with flyash mixtures approved from the City and County of Denver, and approval by C.H.F.A. (Colorado Housing Finance Authority). Projects include the El Portal Housing Project, the Atrium House Denver and Vail House La Veta, CO using pumice-crete / fly ash casting system.
His bio-chemistry background with soil health and plant vitality, came from working many years with permaculture design principles at the High Altitude Permaculture Institute in Basalt, CO. His related projects include the development and manufacture of plant-based nutrition products, utilizing algal and plant concentrates, working with Dr. Mitchell May of Synergy Company and Desert Lake Algae Technologies in Klamath Lake, Oregon. He is the co-founder of Algae Aqua-culture Technologies (A.A.C.T.), advance greenhouse design for bio-refinery of algae based energy and bio-stimulants for the agriculture markets in Whitefish, Montana. Co-Founder of BioCarbon Technologies producing certified organic soil nutrients and biocarbon-based water treatment medias based in Missoula, Montana.
Willard (Woody) Neeley
Consultant, acting as Project Manager, Sales Engineer, and Business Development Associate
Woody received a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (expired) and holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.
He has held FINRA Series 6 & 63 securities licenses, sponsored by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife).
Woody was an electrical engineer for 5 years in power and industrial applications, working for engineering firms such as ITT Flygt, and International Engineering Company (IECO), a (then) division of Morrison- Knudsen Engineering Corp.
He became a start-up participant in the electric vehicle (EV) industry in California, working for CALSTART participants Iwon Motronics and Xeno Automotive as a Project Manager and Vice President of Program Development / Program Manager.
Since 2000, he has held financial IT Business Analyst, Project Manager, Project Management Office and Data Analyst roles.
Woody is also the former CTO / co-founder of Electric Truck, LLC (2007 - 2015), which was founded to develop and market energy harvesting technologies for electric vehicles (EVs) with a focus on small truck and rail applications. He has been an officer in several electric vehicle-related start-up companies and has consulted to or been employed by IT or AI-related start-up firms Core Technology Partners, LLC and Novamente LLC, focusing on technology development, business development, and fundraising.
At Thomson Reuters, he was a Technical Account Manager (Sales Engineer) to clients CNBC, Standard & Poor's, Yahoo, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). At Bank of America, he won a Most Valuable Peers Award for outstanding service to the front office traders, and in PwC’s Financial Advisory Services practice he worked as a senior business analyst / project manager, where he won a “Bull Market Idea” contest award for outstanding ideas for new lines of consulting services for PwC (for suggesting an alternative energy technologies consulting practice) and two other ideas (environmental and security related) were elected and reviewed (out of over 1000 entries).
As a business analyst, project manager, and data analyst on “Wall Street”, Woody was a consultant to or employee of Accenture, AIG, Bank of America, Bankers Trust, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, FNMA (“Fannie Mae”), General Electric Capital Treasury, Genworth, HSBC, IBM Global Treasury, Lehman Brothers, Legg Mason, Morgan Stanley, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Reuters (Thomson Reuters), Royal Bank of Scotland, Sanford Bernstein, Scotiabank, Tudor Investment Corp, and Yale University.
His career also includes providing project management and consulting to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), on a project related to electromagnetic “flight” and unmanned craft R&D.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/woody-willard-neeley-1b97446/
Industries served in: AI (startups AI3, Core Technology Partners, LLC, Novamente LLC), Accounting (PwC, Accenture), Asset Management (Legg Mason, Tudor Investment Corp), Critical Metals / REEs (Neodymium LLC, Montana Critical Metals Inc.), Defense (CIA), Electrical engineering / technology consulting (IECO, startups Xeno Automotive, Iwon Motronics, SEEA), Financial Services (registered rep, IT BA / PM for multiple banks, IBM), and Manufacturing (ITT Flygt, Alimak, Peabody Engineering / Pullman Inc, AVCO), Research & Development (ISA Energy, Neeley Associates, LLC (Hutchison battery research)), Telecom (Charter Communications / Spectrum Mobile).
David Westfall
David H. Westfall brings extensive expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and business development to drive the company’s mission of sustainable critical metals extraction for the defense, transportation, and electronics industries. With a robust background in sales, marketing, and community engagement, Mr. Westfall plays a pivotal role in shaping MCM’s financial strategy and fostering partnerships that support its growth and sustainability goals.
Mr. Westfall’s career spans over two decades of leadership in high-growth sectors, including real estate, consumer electronics, and retail. As a licensed Montana Realtor with Windermere Real Estate, he has built a reputation for forging strong community relationships, growing his client base from 4 to over 1,200 through dedication and strategic networking. His prior role as Vice President of Global Export at Klipsch Group, Inc. saw him drive a 138% increase in Asia Pacific sales (from $8M to $19M) over seven years by implementing innovative sales and marketing strategies, optimizing distribution networks, and enhancing product placement.
As Treasurer, Mr. Westfall leverages his financial acumen and experience in managing multimillion-dollar budgets, inventory systems, and expense forecasting to ensure MCM’s fiscal health and operational efficiency. His ability to negotiate complex agreements and collaborate across diverse stakeholders—evidenced by his leadership in community boards and environmental organizations such as the Missoula Development Authority and Climate Smart Missoula—positions him uniquely to align MCM’s operations with sustainable and community-focused values.
Reggie Spaulding
