Robert Long, chief financial officer at Novonix, is set to leave the company in July, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and company statements. The departure affects one of the senior executives tied to Novonix's growth in Chattanooga, where the battery materials manufacturer has expanded its footprint as demand for electric vehicle supply chain projects has grown.

For Chattanooga residents, workers, and local suppliers, the change matters because Novonix has become a significant industrial employer and investment presence in the city. The company has announced major Tennessee operations tied to synthetic graphite, a battery material used in lithium-ion batteries.

What Novonix said about Long's departure

Novonix previously announced Long's appointment as chief financial officer in 2024, describing him as an executive with decades of management experience in Chattanooga and in large industrial companies. In a June SEC 6-K filing, the company disclosed a leadership update that confirmed Long's planned exit.

Novonix said in its public filings that Long will leave the company in July.

The company has not, in the source materials provided, publicly detailed additional reasons for his departure. Any further explanation has not been verified in the official documents cited here.

Why the change is notable in Chattanooga

Novonix has become one of the higher-profile advanced manufacturing companies operating in the Chattanooga area. It produces battery materials and has promoted its Tennessee investment as part of a domestic supply chain for electric vehicles and energy storage.

The company has also drawn attention from federal and state officials. In a 2024 company announcement, Novonix said U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and other officials took part in an event marking a new Tennessee facility.

Local relevance for workers and businesses

  • Novonix has added to Chattanooga's advanced manufacturing base.
  • Its projects are linked to battery and electric vehicle supply chains in the Southeast.
  • Changes in senior leadership can affect financing, project execution, hiring, and investor confidence.

For readers tracking major local employers, the company's finance leadership is especially important because capital-intensive manufacturing projects often depend on public incentives, construction timelines, equipment purchases, and access to investment.

Long's background and role

When Novonix announced Long's appointment, it pointed to his long management career and experience with public companies. Background materials in the public record show Long previously held senior roles in the energy sector and has longstanding ties to Chattanooga business leadership.

His role at Novonix placed him at the center of the company's financial planning during a period when it was promoting U.S. production growth. Novonix describes itself as a battery technology and materials company focused on the electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

What Novonix says it is building in Tennessee

On its website, Novonix says it is developing synthetic graphite capacity in the United States. Synthetic graphite is a key anode material used in lithium-ion batteries. The company says its Tennessee work is part of a broader effort to supply battery manufacturers from domestic facilities.

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What remains unclear

The verified source materials confirm Long's departure timeline, but they do not fully explain what prompted the change or who will permanently fill the role. As of the cited filings and company materials, those details remain limited.

If Novonix files additional disclosures or announces a successor, that would provide a clearer picture of how the company plans to manage the transition at a key stage in its Chattanooga operations.

Primary sources: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Reported by Source Text Link, NOVONIX Group, Drilling Contractor, American Nuclear Society, Littler Mendelson, NOVONIX, NOVONIX Investor Relations, Chattanooga Times Free Press.