2024 AGM Report
The 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Monday, 9 September, as part of the 65th General Assembly—an especially significant occasion marking 50 years of the Tantalum–Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.). The Assembly provided an opportunity not only to reflect on the Association’s achievements, but also to honour the memory of several highly respected figures whose contributions helped shape the tantalum and niobium industries.
Tributes were paid to Jim McCombie of Stapleford Minerals and Metals, a long-standing T.I.C. member and a well-known figure in the refractory metals trading community. Jim was a constant presence at every T.I.C. General Assembly, and the President greatly valued their annual conversations. The Assembly also remembered Dr Terry Tripp, a towering figure in the tantalum capacitor industry, distinguished chemist, academic, and former employee of Sprague Electric Co. and H.C. Stark. In addition, members reflected on the passing of David Henderson, a past three-term President and long-standing T.I.C. member, widely regarded as a fountain of industry knowledge and always generous with his time in discussing industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Governance and Financial Matters
During the AGM, members approved a number of key motions, including the Minutes of the 2023 AGM held in Rio de Janeiro on 10 September 2023. The audited accounts for the year
ended 30 April 2024 were formally approved, along with the budget for the 2024–2025 financial year (1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025).
Membership Developments
Membership engagement remained strong throughout the year. Eight companies were elected as new Corporate Members, and one company’s request for a name change was approved. At the same time, two Corporate Members and one Associate Member were terminated due to non-payment of membership fees.
Executive Committee Elections
Mr Efi Ben Baruch chose not to stand for re-election to the Executive Committee. The remaining ten Committee members stood for re-election, and three new candidate were nominated. Following a successful vote, the following eleven individuals were elected by the required majority to serve on the 2024–2025 Executive Committee (listed alphabetically by surname):
Mr Fabiano Costa; Ms Silvana Fehling; Mr Ronald Gilerman; Mr David Gussack; Mr Jiang Bin; Mr Janny Jiang; Mr Dharam Kotecha; Mr Robert Marchiando; Ms Candida Owens; Dr Daniel Persico; and Mr David Tkach.
Dr Daniel Persico stood down from his role as President of the Association, and Ms Silvana Fehling was elected to serve as President for the 2024–2025 term.
Conference Highlights
The AGM formed part of the world’s leading international tantalum–niobium conference, which attracted over 200 registrations from 127 companies, making it one of the most well-attended conferences in the Association’s history. Hosted in Tokyo, one of the world’s most dynamic and impressive cities, the event was widely regarded as a resounding success.