Experience That Drives Innovation

Orefine brings expertise from defense, mining, and refining to restore U.S. access to critical materials. We develop practical, onshore solutions that convert diverse feedstocks into reliable supply for America’s defense and industry.

Mission + Vision + Values

MISSION: Build domestic capacity to process and refine critical materials in the United States.

VISION: A future where America leads in producing the materials that power defense and industry.

  • Responsibility

    We operate with safety, compliance, and accountability at every stage.

  • Reliability

    We deliver consistent results and supply chains partners can count on.

  • Capability

    We turn resources into real production capacity for America’s mission and industries.

Leadership Team

Our leadership brings decades of experience across defense, technology, and industry to scale critical materials production.

William Ruppert
CEO / Co-founder

A US Army Veteran, executive, consultant, and founder with over 30 years of entrepreneurial, government, and military experience. An advisor, mentor, and coach to multiple small business and entrepreneurs, focusing on dual-use (military & commercial) domestic technologies and services and strategic international partnering.

Helen Speek
Co-founder

A passionate leader, entrepreneur, and operator with over 25 years of diverse professional experience in M&A with top consulting firms, evaluation of investment opportunities and management of private equity fund investments, leading global multi-disciplinary teams in results-driven environment.

Kimberly Yearick Spangler, Ph.D.
COO & CTO

A former senior defense official and national security innovator with two decades in defense R&D, weapons programs, and critical materials. She is also a high explosives formulator and a small business owner, bringing both technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience to her role at Orefine. At the Pentagon, she directed nearly $1B in DoD innovation programs, transitioning advanced microgrids, natural hazards resilience tools, and munitions technologies into operational use across the defense enterprise.

Ashley Armenta
Program Manager

A defense professional with over 15 years of experience in intelligence, operations, and program management. She has led cross-functional teams across government and private sectors, managing assets and optimizing processes to deliver mission-critical outcomes.