Pulsar Helium Appoints Stephen Lange Ranzini to Board of Directors

Ranzini to serve as Deputy Chair, bringing deep U.S. financial expertise to support helium project development

Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:30am

Pulsar Helium Inc., a primary helium company, has announced the appointment of Stephen Lange Ranzini to its Board of Directors as Deputy Chair. Ranzini is the President & CEO of University Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQB: UNIB) and its subsidiary University Bank in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and brings over four decades of experience in financial services and corporate governance.

Why it matters

Ranzini's appointment strengthens Pulsar's senior leadership in the United States as the company continues to develop its flagship Topaz helium project in Minnesota. His extensive experience in the U.S. financial system, including roles with the Federal Reserve, is expected to provide valuable guidance as Pulsar works to quantify the size of its helium discovery and prepare for potential development.

The details

As Deputy Chair, Ranzini will participate on certain Board committees at Pulsar. University Bancorp, which Ranzini has led since 1988, has expanded from a single-office community bank into a diversified financial services organization with over $36 billion in Assets Under Management for 185,000 customers across the U.S. Ranzini has served on numerous corporate, industry and non-profit boards, including leadership roles as chair or vice-chair.

  • Ranzini's appointment to the Pulsar Board of Directors and as Deputy Chair is effective March 16, 2026.

The players

Pulsar Helium Inc.

A publicly traded primary helium company quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, and trading on the OTCQB.

Stephen Lange Ranzini

The President & CEO of University Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQB: UNIB) and its subsidiary University Bank in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with over four decades of experience in financial services and corporate governance.

University Bancorp, Inc.

The parent company of University Bank, a diversified financial services organization with over $36 billion in Assets Under Management for 185,000 customers across the U.S.

Neil Herbert

The Chair of Pulsar Helium Inc.

Thomas Abraham-James

The President & CEO of Pulsar Helium Inc.

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What they’re saying

“We are delighted to welcome Stephen Lange Ranzini to Pulsar Helium as Non-Executive Deputy Chairman. Stephen brings deep U.S. financial market expertise, extensive institutional relationships, and a highly accomplished leadership record.”

— Neil Herbert, Chair of Pulsar (Globe Newswire)

“I am pleased to join the Board of Pulsar, which has discovered a significant occurrence of Helium-4 and Helium-3 in Minnesota's Iron Range. Because of this, I have decided to add my effort to advise Pulsar's very qualified team of experts to try to accelerate their work.”

— Stephen Lange Ranzini, Deputy Chair of Pulsar (Globe Newswire)

“We are very pleased to welcome Stephen to the Pulsar Board as Deputy Chair. UNIB has already demonstrated strong support for Pulsar, and we look forward to benefiting from his extensive financial services and governance experience as we advance the project.”

— Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar (Globe Newswire)

What’s next

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