REalloys Inc., the merger target of Blackboxstocks Inc. (NASDAQ: BLBX), has appointed retired four-star General John M. "Jack" Keane as a Designate Director to its board. General Keane will formally join upon the closing of the merger between the two companies, which has moved forward with the Securities and Exchange Commission declaring Blackboxstocks' Form S-4 registration statement effective. The merger completion is pending customary closing conditions, including NASDAQ listing approval.
General Keane, a former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army with 37 years of service, brings significant national security and strategic leadership experience to REalloys. His appointment underscores the company's mission to establish a secure, Western-aligned supply chain for heavy rare earth elements, materials essential for defense systems, clean energy technologies, and high-performance industrial applications. "Dependence on adversaries for these materials is a vulnerability we can no longer accept," General Keane stated, highlighting the strategic importance of domestic capacity.
The merger and board appointment come as REalloys works to scale what it describes as North America's most advanced heavy rare earth supply chain and technology platform. The company's integrated approach spans from upstream resource development at its Hoidas Lake asset in Saskatchewan, through midstream processing in partnership with the Saskatchewan Research Council, to downstream manufacturing at its facility in Euclid, Ohio. This facility serves federal agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and NASA.
Stephen S. duMont, Chairman of REalloys and President of GM Defense, emphasized the strategic significance, stating, "We are not just building a company; we are securing the industrial foundation of the free world." General Keane's background includes commanding the 101st Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps, and he currently serves as Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in March 2020.
General Keane joins a board that includes Chairman duMont, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States David MacNaughton, and former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall. This combination of defense, diplomatic, and industrial policy expertise aligns with efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals. Investors can find more information through SEC filings at http://www.sec.gov or the company's website at https://blackboxstocks.com.
The development is important as it addresses growing concerns over supply chain security for rare earth elements, which are vital for technologies ranging from electric vehicles and wind turbines to military guidance systems. Establishing a domestic supply chain could mitigate geopolitical risks and support economic and national security objectives. The merger with Blackboxstocks, a financial technology platform, represents a strategic combination of resources and expertise aimed at advancing this critical industrial capability.
