Maria A. Thompson is President of the Government Solutions Group of A123Systems, Inc (formerly T/J Technologies, Inc.). A123Systems is known internationally for its Nanophosphate™ lithium ion battery technology. Ms. Thompson was co founder, President and CEO of T/J Technologies, Inc., a nationally recognized Michigan company for alternative energy technologies, which was acquired by A123Systems Inc. in 2006. Combined, the organizations represent the largest lithium-ion R&D team in North America, with world-class expertise and management, and global manufacturing operations. A123Systems is one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-power lithium-ion batteries. Applications include power tools, electric vehicles, hybrid electric and plug in hybrid vehicles, defense and aerospace.

Under Ms. Thompson’s leadership, T/J Technologies attracted national and regional recognition. In 2008, she was honored by the Minority Enterprise Executive Council as one of 25 Powerful Minority Women in Business. She was chosen as one of Crain’s Detroit Business Most Influential Women for 2007. NASA Headquarters honored T/J Technologies with a “Special Recognition Award” presented by NASA Administrator, Dr. Michael Griffin. T/J Technologies was also named one of “50 Companies to Watch in Michigan” and Crain's Detroit Business chose the company as one of the “20 Largest Technology-Based Companies”. Ms. Thompson was invited to speak to the U.S. House Committee on Small Business as part of the Small Business Administration’s 50th Anniversary. T/J Technologies received the Nunn/Perry Award from the Department of Defense for its ultracapacitor development with Lockheed Martin. In 2000, Ms. Thompson was named one of Metro Detroit’s Innovators by Crain’s Detroit Business. Additional recognition includes awards from NASA Glenn Research Center, the Small Business Foundation of Michigan, and The Small Business Association of Michigan.

Ms. Thompson is a member of Ann Arbor SPARK’s Board of Directors, the Zell Lurie Institute Advisory Board, the Michigan Small Business Foundation Board, the Board of Directors for the United Bank and Trust-Washtenaw and the Board of Trustees for Greenhills School. She also served for 6 years on the Advanced Technology Advisory Board for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and is a former member of several non-profit organization boards. Ms. Thompson earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan Business School. Prior to starting T/J Technologies, Ms. Thompson worked at Steelcase and IBM, where she earned numerous company awards. She and her husband, Dr. Levi Thompson, have 2 daughters.