An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a conductive metal substrate and a layer of conductive non-metallic porous media. The conductive non-metallic porous media has an electrically conductive material deposited along a surface in one or more metallized regions and having an average thickness equal to about the diameter of one atom of the material. The metallized regions improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the metal substrate and the fluid distribution media.