Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, has announced the appointment of John Bayne as general manager of consumer electronics. In this role, Bayne will drive Sila’s expansion into new, high-growth markets beyond the automotive sector, including consumer electronics, health monitoring devices, flight, and robotics, as well as defense and national security technology solutions—sectors with increasing demand for advanced battery performance, which can be delivered by Sila’s innovative Titan Silicon™ anode.
Bayne has more than two decades of leadership experience at Corning Incorporated, most recently serving as Senior Vice President & General Manager of Corning’s Mobile Consumer Electronics, directing the end-to-end operations for more than $2B in revenue for its breakthrough Corning Gorilla Glass, Advanced Optics, and Bendable Glass programs. His deep understanding of complex, technology-driven industries and his proven track record of scaling innovative solutions on a global stage make him ideally suited to lead Sila’s expansion into new markets.
Sila and Corning share a common thread: both companies tackle complex technical challenges and manufacture groundbreaking materials that profoundly impact the world. Corning’s advancements in glass technology have revolutionized products in a range of industries, from telecommunications to consumer electronics. Similarly, Sila’s Titan Silicon anode is poised to transform battery performance, after already gaining traction in the automotive space, and is now positioned to unlock significant improvements in a wider array of applications.
“With several supply agreements in place with leading automakers and cell manufacturers, we are now focused on accelerating the adoption of Titan Silicon across new markets. John’s extensive experience in commercializing highly technical products and working with global OEMs, including industry giants like Apple and Samsung, will help Sila accelerate adoption in segments where boosted battery performance can enhance the overall product experience and drive significant differentiation for our customers.”
– Gene Berdichevsky, CEO of Sila.
Bayne holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He is a board member of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and The Guthrie Clinic.
“Sila’s groundbreaking technology is transforming products that are fundamental to our daily lives with smaller, lighter batteries that last longer and charge faster. Throughout my career at Corning, I’ve focused on overcoming technical challenges and driving the global adoption of new, impactful technologies. I found Sila’s inspiring mission, strong leadership, and commitment to scaling extremely compelling, and joining the team enables me to be part of something special. I’m excited to help expand the market reach of a company with such immense potential.”
-John Bayne, new General Manager.
