ZIRCONIA - Key Persons


Benjamin Cook - CEO, Founder, President

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • Founder
  • President
Benjamin has developed green chemistry for large-scale infrastructure applications over the past 15 years. Benjamin is currently focused on solving the problem of concrete and steel corrosion. Benjamin holds a degree in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley, an MBA from Pinchot University, and is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Darcy Weber

Darcy has over a decade of governmental regulatory and clinical experience in public health, infectious diseases, and medicine with the FDA, US Army, and local county governments. Her focus is assisting Zirconia in developing products that are safe for the environment and humans, that protect public health by preventing the transmission of microbes from surfaces to humans. Darcy holds a Masters of Public Health in Infectious Diseases from the University of South Florida, as well as several years of medical school.

Donald Hamm

Job Titles:
  • Leader
  • Senior Vice President of Sales
Donald is an experienced leader in business development and the sales of new technology for a number of markets, with the majority of time spent developing and launching new technology in the construction market. Donald holds two graduate degrees, one in leadership from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, and an EMBA from Regis College in Denver.

Kurt Peterson

Job Titles:
  • Technical Sales Manager
Kurt has years of technical training and management in the industrial, automotive, and consumer coating industries. Kurt manages sales support and installer training, working to ensure the success of projects. He takes pride in helping businesses overcome challenges and provide a safer, more productive environment for the situation at hand. Mr. Peterson has a degree in Communications from the University of Minnesota - Duluth.

Muralee Balaguru - CTO, Founder

Job Titles:
  • CTO
  • Founder
Muralee designed Zirconia's Ceramic Surface Treatments that stop corrosion on steel and concrete. Drawing from his experience as a practicing engineer, Muralee continues to optimize Zirconia's technology by working with engineering and maintenance staff across multiple industries. Muralee holds a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Paul Benedetto - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
Paul has extensive long-term financial management experience from working at several high-growth green tech manufacturing companies. Paul is a great negotiator and skilled strategist, filling in many roles as an executive. Paul holds a dual degree in Accounting and Finance from the State University of New York, Buffalo.