Markets & Finance

Tigo Energy has brought aboard veteran sales and marketing executive, Jeff Krisa. Krisa brings over 20 years of noteworthy experience in semiconductor technology, systems development, international marketing, and general management as well as a long history of involvement in alternative energy.

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. has, in a restructuring of its senior management, appointed a new COO in Johnson Chiang, and a new General Manager in Robin Chen, as well as announcing the departure of Frank Zhang, former General Manager of Suntech's Shanghai thin-film plant. Mr. Chiang takes over the role of COO from Graham Artes (pictured), who will now serve as Managing Director of KSL-Kuttler and as Suntech Corporate Vice President of Engineering, while Philip Yue has been appointed Vice President of Value Chain Development.

Bloo Solar, the California-based thin-film solar company, has added two new members to its Senior Advisory Board. The company has announced the addition of Kevin Davies (pictured) and Steve Harrer, who between them bring years of engineering and operations experience to the company from companies such as BP Solar.

M+W Zander has announced the appointment of Rick Whitney, company COO since 2002, as the new CEO with immediate effect. He served as COO and President of the Total Facility Solutions (TFS) division within M+W Zander, and in his new role as CEO will oversee the company’s development in the U.S. and overseas.

Gilad Almogy, Ph.D., has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Display and Thin Film Solar Products Business Group at Applied Materials. Dr. Almogy was named general manager of Applied's Display and Thin Film Solar Products Business Group in August 2007. Previously, he was general manager of Applied's Process Diagnostics and Control (PDC) business group based in Israel.

Advent Solar, Inc. has enlisted the entrepreneurial skills of Martin Hermann to take up the role of Chief Strategic Officer. Mr. Hermann brings over 17 years of entrepreneurial and management experience to the role, which will see him assume responsibility for Advent Solar’s business development, planning, strategy and growth.

China Sunergy has announced the addition of a further Independent Director to its Board. Merry Tang, a finance and accounting executive, took up the role on June 24th, replacing Mr. Alan Smith who resigns from the role on June 30th. Ms. Tang succeeds Mr. Smith as Chairman of the Audit Committee on July 1st.

Conergy SolarModule GmbH & Co. KG has named Mathias Kamolz as Managing Director of its Frankfurt (Oder) production site. Effective immediately, the new role managing the Oder plant will see Mr. Kamolz apply his semiconductor-related experience to building the business of the new solar factory.

Brian Jacolick (pictured), former Vice President of sales for SunEdison, has been promoted to General Manager for the North America region and in this role will oversee operations for the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Mr. Jacolick will be based in Beltsville, Maryland, and will report directly to CEO Tom Rainwater.

Dr. Stephen R. Forrest (pictured) has been added to the Applied Materials Board of Directors and also to the Strategic Committee of the Board. An expert in the fields of optoelectronics and organic compounds, Dr. Forrest is a well-known lecturer, fellow of IEEE and recipient of many awards for his inventions and innovations.