After a day to think about it, I cannot decide if this new board appointment is encouraging or DIScouraging. Here is the glass half full take:

Mr. Gross was brought in because he has specific investors known to him that may be likely partners for LBSR. They may be US, but he does have connections elsewhere.

Here is the glass half empty take:

We have naseba working for us. Pete O'Heeron is a highly successful businessman. Even some of the other board members are experienced in the business side of mining. But no group that LBSR is in talks with is making any satisfactory offers, and Mr. Gross's appointment is thought to be some magic bullet.

I hope it is a sign of progress. I hope it is not a sign that LBSR is looking for a deal that is not realistic.