STILLWATER, Okla. — USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR) (USAR or the Company) has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Barbara Humpton as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer to succeed Josh Ballard, effective October 1, 2025. Humpton will also serve on USAR’s Board of Directors.
“Today marks a pivotal moment for USAR as Barbara becomes our next CEO,” said Michael Blitzer, Chairman of USA Rare Earth. “Barbara is a transformational and visionary leader who joins USAR at a time of incredible opportunity and growth. In her 14 years at Siemens, most recently as CEO of Siemens USA, Barbara developed organic initiatives and integrated numerous large acquisitions to grow it into one of North America’s largest and most recognizable industrial companies with more than $20 billion of revenues.”
“Barbara is an established global leader in the areas that matter to us, including critical infrastructure, technology, and strategic national defense, and brings years of experience engaging with government entities,” Blitzer noted. “I would also like to offer thanks to Josh Ballard for his contributions to USA Rare Earth. I look forward to working with Barbara and the rest of the talented leadership team to deliver on our vision of becoming the leading supplier of critical rare earth minerals and magnets.”
“Throughout my career, I have been motivated by being part of missions that matter, and there is nothing more critical to national and global security than securing a domestic supply chain for rare earth minerals and magnets,” said Humpton. “USA Rare Earth is uniquely positioned to be the leader in this industry with its mine-to-magnet supply chain strategy, anchored now by mining rights to a domestic deposit rich in valuable heavy rare earth elements, unique metal making know how and technology, and one of the largest magnet production facilities under construction outside of China. I am incredibly excited about joining USAR and am committed to devoting my time, talent and efforts as it executes on its bold and transformative vision to build an American champion for the benefit of America and our allies.”
Humpton most recently served as President and CEO of Siemens USA. Prior to being named President and CEO of Siemens USA in 2018, Humpton served as President and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies, responsible for implementing Siemens products and services for federal government agencies and departments. Prior to joining Siemens in 2011, Humpton served as a vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton and was a Vice President and Director at Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Humpton serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. She is also Chair of the Board of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA). She has served on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), and the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Humpton also served on the Board of Directors of Triumph Group until its acquisition in 2025 by Warburg Pincus and Berkshire Partners.
Humpton succeeds Joshua Ballard, who has agreed to remain with the Company in a consulting capacity through October 31, 2025.
Tagged with critical minerals, people, Siemens, USA Rare Earth, USAR