Key Takeaways
- Mote has appointed Ashleigh N. Ross as Chief Commercial Officer to support commercial deployment of its biomass-to-hydrogen and carbon removal platform.
- Ross brings 20+ years of experience across carbon management, energy systems, project development, and federal policy.
- CEO Joshuah Stolaroff highlighted Ross’s combination of technical and commercial expertise.
- The company continues expanding its California project and Advanced Testing Center in Los Angeles.
- The addition strengthens Mote’s leadership team as it advances carbon-negative hydrogen initiatives.
Mote Expands Leadership Team With Appointment of Ashleigh N. Ross as Chief Commercial Officer
Mote, Inc. has named Ashleigh N. Ross as Chief Commercial Officer as the company advances its carbon-negative energy and biomass carbon removal platform. Ross brings more than two decades of experience in carbon management, energy systems, commercialization, and policy development.
“Ashleigh’s rare combination of commercial expertise, technical depth, and policy fluency will supercharge Mote as we move to deployment,” said Joshuah Stolaroff, CEO of Mote. “Her leadership will deepen our relationships with investors, policymakers, and industry partners and strengthen our ability to deliver carbon-negative hydrogen at scale.”
Mote: Strengthening Commercial Strategy and Partnerships
In her new position, Ross will lead go-to-market strategy, expand commercial and government partnerships, and deepen engagement with customers and stakeholders. Her role supports the company’s mission to address wildfire risk, biomass waste management, industrial decarbonization, and economic development in rural communities.
“My career has been dedicated to smart, practical climate solutions like Mote’s,” Ross said. “This work is deeply needed—for the climate, and for the farmers, businesses, and communities that stand to benefit. I’m honored to join Josh and this remarkable team to help build the partnerships that will shape a cleaner, more resilient energy future.”
Extensive Background in Carbon Management
Ross previously served as Deputy Director of Carbon Management Technologies at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she oversaw a $430 million technology portfolio that included hydrogen, CO₂ removal, geological storage, and carbon capture systems. She represented the United States in both domestic and international forums.
Before her federal appointment, Ross held leadership roles at Carbon America, securing more than $100 million in federal funding and advancing state and federal CCS policy. Her earlier career included positions at bp and ConocoPhillips, where she worked across CCS strategy, subsurface engineering, and project development. Her academic research included CCS deployment work at MIT and environmental policy studies at the University of Cambridge.
Mote's Momentum Across Projects and Technology Development
Ross’s appointment follows several milestones for Mote. In March 2025, the company closed a $7 million tranche of Series A financing to advance its biomass-to-hydrogen platform. Mote has also been selected for major federal initiatives, including Hydrogen Hub and Carbon Negative Shot programs, as it progresses work on its California biomass-to-hydrogen project.
The company is expanding operations at its Advanced Testing Center in Los Angeles, where next-generation gasification, carbon removal, and hydrogen production technologies are being evaluated for commercial deployment.
