BrightSource Energy recruits trio of energy veterans to its management team

August 16, 2011
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BrightSource Energy has welcomed Joe Desmond as senior VP of government affairs and communications, Stephen Wiley as senior VP of US development and Yasser Dib as regional VP of international business development to its executive management team. Between them, the three new recruits hold nearly 60 years of experience in the energy sector.

Desmond, a 20-year veteran of the private and public energy sector, will manage the communications, marketing and government and regulatory affairs for BrightSource. He joins the company after working as executive VP and chief marketing and business development officer at Ice energy and senior VP of external affairs at NorthernStar Natural Gas. During former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office term, Desmond served in various executive roles, including Deputy Secretary of Energy for the State Resources Agency, chairman of the CEC and undersecretary for Energy Affairs.   Past work engagements additionally include time as president and CEO of Infotility, president and CEO of Electronic Lighting and VP of Parke Industries.

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Wiley will serve as the main liaison for all US development activities, including managing the site selection, permitting, development and delivery of utility-scale solar projects. Like Desmond, he holds over 20-years of energy experience, including service as president to both Gallop Power and Greenhunter Renewable Energy. Wiley has served in different management roles at Gamesa Energy, TIP Strategies, Reliant Energy and Dynegy, while also working for the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Before his appointment with BrightSource, Dib worked as chief investment officer at Amwal International Investment Company.  He brings his 20-year experience in project finance and development to the company so that he can oversee the development of industrial and enhanced oil recovery markets. Dib has served as chief investment officer at Al Ritaj Investment Company and in senior management positions for Alghanim Industries, DIB, Bechtel Financing Services and Bechtel Corporation.

“By adding Joe, Stephen and Yasser to our world-class management team, we’re gaining decades of private and public sector energy industry experience,” said John Woolard, president and CEO, BrightSource Energy, Inc. “I look forward to working with our new team members as we build on the company’s many accomplishments and continue setting the bar globally for the utility-scale solar industry.”

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