ANN ARBOR—Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB), the Ann Arbor-based developer of advanced fibers and textiles through genetic engineering, announced it had named Jon Rice, the company’s COO, a member of Kraig’s board of directors.
Rice has served as the COO of Kraig Biocraft Laboratories since 2015. In this role, Rice has overseen and led operations at the vompany’s domestic research and development headquarters, as well as the recent breakthroughs in the scale up of its international production operations, through its subsidiary, Prodigy Textiles Co. Ltd. Prior to joining Kraig Labs, Rice served in a series of leadership roles at Ann Arbor-based Ultra Electronics AMI, developers of fuel cell technologies. Rice earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University in 2002 and an MBA from Michigan State University in 2016.
“We are pleased to welcome Jon, with his first hand working knowledge and experience of implementing our operations, to the Kraig Labs board,” said chairman and CEO Kim Thompson. “Jon’s role and understanding of our Company, from the inside, will serve as a crucial bridge between day-to-day operational management and board governance.”
Once formally seated, Rice, and the three recently announced new independent directors, will join Thompson to form a majority independent controlled board, which is intended to satisfy the uplisting requirement of a national exchange.
Said Rice: “The advancement we are making in all aspects of our business model, from research to governance and commercialization, make this a fantastic time to be part of Kraig Labs and our exciting growth.”
Kraig has used genetic engineering techniques to splice spider genes into silkworms, leading to silkworms that spin cocoons whose fibers have some of the strength properties of spiderweb fibers. Among the first products eyed for development by the company are super-strong textiles for military and other applications. More at https://www.kraiglabs.com/spider-silk-company/.