We’re Here to Move Innovation Forward

An entrepreneurial leader with 35 years’ experience, Michael has led companies in the material science, semiconductor electronics, and chemical sectors. He specializes in bringing new, IP-rich technologies to large markets and has been responsible for developing strong partnerships and raising money from both the private and public markets. Before joining Polar, Michael served as CEO of solid-state lithium-ion battery company Ionic Materials. He was CEO of Nanoco Group PLC, a world-leading technology developer and manufacturer of semiconductor nanomaterials for use in advanced electronics. Michael has been responsible for building companies from seed funding through IPO. Michael received his Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from the University of Sussex, England, and his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Classics from Tufts University, Boston, MA.

Michael Ciarroni is the Chief Operating Officer of Polar Performance Materials, leading the company’s end-to-end operations and manufacturing. With over 13 years of experience in advanced operations, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to this role. Most recently, Michael served as the Vice President of Operations for Airboss of America, where he played a key role in the company’s Rubber Solutions Business growth. He worked to improve operational efficiency, streamline processes, and successfully implemented lean methodology across the organization. Before joining Airboss, Michael held various transformative leadership roles at companies including Magna International, American Iron and Metal, and Royal Building Products. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree from McMaster University and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He is a dedicated and results-driven professional with a passion for operational excellence.

With over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Sean McDonough is a seasoned leader known for his deep expertise in developing and implementing robust processes and controls to ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirements. His passion lies in building sustainable systems that not only meet but exceed compliance expectations, contributing to operational excellence and long-term organizational success. Throughout his career, Sean has earned a reputation for his hands-on approach, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to quality and integrity. He is also a dedicated coach and mentor, helping teams and individuals grow their capabilities and reach their full potential in high-performance, compliance-driven environments.

Adam is a strategic and results-driven finance and operations executive with +20 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, consumer goods, and textile industries. Most recently serving as Vice President of Finance for Hunter Douglas Canada Group, he oversaw all finance, accounting, and credit functions across three national divisions, driving profitability, operational alignment, and financial transformation. Currently the Vice President, Finance at Polar Performance Materials, Adam leads finance and has championed multiple ERP implementations, and lean manufacturing projects, positioning companies for scalable growth and improved cash flow. Adam is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Administration and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario. Known for his ability to simplify complex financial data into actionable insights, Adam brings a collaborative, big-picture approach to leadership, with a proven record of building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence.

With over three decades of executive leadership in advanced manufacturing, capital construction, and strategic growth, Gerald Knowles has driven transformative initiatives across corporate and government sectors. He has led large-scale expansion projects—ranging from $50M pilot plants to multi-billion-dollar semiconductor fabs—while overseeing end-to-end delivery of facilities, real estate transactions, and operations for high-growth companies including Polar Performance Materials, Pallidus, BAE Systems, and Wolfspeed. His track record includes successfully scaling manufacturing footprints to meet surging demand in critical industries like semiconductors, green energy, and aerospace defense, all while maintaining exceptional safety, compliance, and fiscal discipline. An expert in capital strategy, M&A due diligence, and organizational design, Gerald Knowles has built and led high-performing teams across global campuses and complex operational ecosystems. From founding and leading Consulting Services to managing thousands of individual facilities and millions of square feet of operational space, he brings a rare blend of technical acumen, financial oversight, and executive vision. His leadership has earned recognition from both private investment partners and U.S. military leadership for delivering exceptional outcomes in high-stakes environments.

Marieta has been at the forefront of transformational people and operational best practices throughout her progressive 25+year career. With a degree in Mass Communications and Psychology from York University, she has proven leadership experience in scaling up global, high-growth businesses across a variety of disruptive sectors from tech, manufacturing, telecommunications, education, retail, energy, education, med-tech, and digital media. Her work has garnered multiple Top 2 and Top 3 distinctions as Best Workplaces in Canada with Great Places to Work and is a testament to her drive for long-term growth, action, and innovation. Marieta has a solid track record of building effective people strategies, improving employee engagement and coaching executive leaders to create stronger, high performing teams.

Bob is a seasoned global leader with over 20 years of experience leading innovation in advanced materials for the semiconductor industry. Prior to joining Polar, Bob held senior R&D leadership roles at DuPont and Dow Chemical, where he directed global teams and spearheaded the development and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies including photolithography antireflectants, etch masks, cleaning solutions and chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurries. His leadership has driven sustained business growth and positioned his teams as trusted technology partners to global semiconductor manufacturers. Bob holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Colloids, Polymers, and Surfaces from Carnegie Mellon University, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware.

Charles Cherington co-founded Ara in 2017, co-heads the firm alongside Troy Thacker, and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. He has more than 30 years of private equity experience in the industrial, energy, and chemical industries, in which he has executed well over 50 transactions. Before co-founding Ara, Charles founded Intervale Capital in 2006 after successfully managing two smaller private equity firms focused on industrial buyouts. Charles previously worked for Lochridge & Company, a strategy consulting firm. Prior to that, Charles worked for the Vietnam Fund in Hanoi and Saigon. After graduating from business school, Charles’s first job was with Credit Suisse, in municipal finance. Charles holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wesleyan University and a Master of Business Administration, with honors, from the University of Chicago. Charles has long been active in the land conservation movement. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Conservation Fund, a national land conservation organization. Charles and his wife Ashley have donated more conservation easements in the State of Vermont than any other individual or private entity.

An entrepreneurial leader with 35 years’ experience, Michael has led companies in the material science, semiconductor electronics, and chemical sectors. He specializes in bringing new, IP-rich technologies to large markets and has been responsible for developing strong partnerships and raising money from both the private and public markets. Before joining Polar, Michael served as CEO of solid-state lithium-ion battery company Ionic Materials. He was CEO of Nanoco Group PLC, a world-leading technology developer and manufacturer of semiconductor nanomaterials for use in advanced electronics. Michael has been responsible for building companies from seed funding through IPO. Michael received his Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from the University of Sussex, England, and his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Classics from Tufts University, Boston, MA.

Manuel Ferreira Gomes is a Principal at Ara and is involved with all aspects of the firm’s investment process. Before joining Ara, Manuel was a Director at AMERRA Capital Management, a New York-based private equity firm focused on sustainable food & agriculture. Before AMERRA, he was at ECS Capital, focusing on Private Equity Special Situations in Europe. Before joining ECS, he was a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Manuel majored in Management & Business Administration at Nova School of Business and Economics in Portugal. He received a Master of Business Administration from the Columbia Business School.

Rick joined the Polar Board in 2024. Prior to joining Polar, Rick was an Executive with DuPont, having served as the Vice President of Sustainability for the Electronics & Industrial (E&I) business group, as well as the Sustainability Leader for Innovation across the Corporation. As Vice President, Rick utilized his 30+ years of semiconductor experience to create and implement a Materiality driven ESG strategy and enabled increasing business growth and value creation from sustainable innovation. In the spring of 2021, Rick was selected to join SEMI’s Sustainability Advisory Council. In 2020, he was named Vice President, Business Strategy for the Electronics & Imaging business. Previously, he was Director of Strategy, M&A, and New Business development for E&I, and prior to the DuPont/Dow merger, he was Business Group Director of Strategic Planning, Marketing and Business Development for Dow’s Electronic Materials business group. In this role at Dow, Rick was responsible for strategic planning and driving revenue growth through new business development, including M&A, nurturing early-stage ventures, and leading key customer partnership programs. Rick earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Colby College and his doctorate degree in chemistry from Dartmouth College. Additionally, he held two postdoctoral chemistry positions – the first at King’s College in London, England, and the second at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is the author of 13 scientific articles and holds 3 US patents.

David Touhey is Managing Director, Head of Project Executions and Operations, focused on the best in project development with respect to Ara’s industrial portfolio. Prior to joining Ara, David was the Executive Vice President for Kent, a global EPC, Operations and Maintenance business. At Kent, David was a key member of the executive team that grew the organization from 4,000 people across 19 countries to 12,500 people across 26 countries. During his time at Kent, he was the executive sponsor and trusted advisor to his clients, which included ExxonMobil, BP and Chevron in the space of early project investment planning and execution strategies. David’s program execution philosophy is the alignment of owner, EPC, commissioning, start-up, and operations phases of development planning during the investment decisions of projects to ensure all project stakeholders are aligned on the business strategy of the project investment decision. David holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Services Engineering from Technological University Dublin, Ireland, and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership and Management from Nottingham Trent University in the UK.