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Ascent Solar CEO steps down to make way for new leader
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Matthew
Foster (pictured), CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies since 2005, has agreed to step
down to allow a change in leadership for the company. Ascent is
currently heading towards the manufacturing phase of its development,
and the company’s Board and management have decided to appoint the
company’s Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Mohan Misra, to the
CEO role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found.
Dr. Misra, Chairman since 2005 and Chief Strategy Officer since 2007, will initiate the transition to the CEO role immediately. He brings extensive industry experience to the role, including founder and CEO for ITN Energy Systems and in senior research and manufacturing roles at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin Corporation) for a 19-year period.
Dr. Misra holds a B.S. in metallurgical engineering from Benaras Hindu University in India, and an M.S. and Ph.D., both in metallurgical engineering, from the University of Washington and the Colorado School of Mines, respectively.
Mr. Foster will continue with the company in a consultant capacity for the coming year, and in this role will focus on global expansion and business development.
“Ascent Solar is transitioning from a research and development company to a manufacturing and commercially focused organization,” said Mr. Foster. “I am pleased to have been the leader of Ascent Solar during this initial stage, and I felt that new leadership would be better at leading Ascent Solar’s next phase of growth where operational and manufacturing expertise will be critical. I expect Ascent Solar to continue to grow as a leader in the thin-film photovoltaics arena.”
By Síle Mc Mahon
