Episode 214: Jesse Edmondson & Arthur Orduna

Jesse Edmondson and Arthur Orduña are playing key roles in shaping the future of lithium production and the broader battery supply chain in Arkansas.

Together, they bring deep experience and a shared mission: to put Arkansas squarely on the global lithium map.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why major players like Exxon, Equinor, and Chevron have chosen Arkansas for their first lithium investments

• How a small startup like Standard Lithium partnered with a Norwegian oil major—and why that collaboration makes strategic sense

• How Arkansas is leveraging the Smackover Formation to build a full lithium-ion battery ecosystem through initiatives like the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Accelerator and other emerging programs

• Why making cathode materials in Arkansas isn’t just possible—it’s practical

I also extend a direct invitation to Korean battery makers to partner for cathode production in Arkansas

This is a uniquely American story—about innovation, energy, and new beginnings in unexpected places.

Stick around for Rapid Fire.