Markets & Finance

First Solar, Inc. has named Kathy Weiss as Vice President of GovernmentRelations to oversee the company’s public policies and manage thecompany’s state and federal affairs...

Stefan Thiel (pictured) has been appointed to the role of Sales Managerfor the solar cell manufacturer, taking over from Franz Ziering. ersol’s sales and strategic purchasing sectors...

Nanotechnology and engineering expert Professor T. C. Yih has beenadded to Octillion’s Advisory Board. He brings years of experience innanosystems, solar energy and bio-electro-mechanic systems, amongothers, to the company’s Advisory Board.

Jeff Winzeler has been named as successor to the role of CFO for thecompany, a position previously held by Glenn Carnahan. Winzeler departsthe company’s franchise operation Yes! Solar, Inc., where he held therole of President.

Dr. Jürgen Dahmer is the newest appointee to the Board of Managementfor SCHOTT, while the company has also announced the extension of thecontract of Professor Udo Ungeheuer (pictured).  Professor Ungeheuer,who holds the post of Chairman of the Board of Management, has had histenure extended for a further five years.

Former Executive General Manager of Quality Assurance and Supply Chainfor Kyocera David Hester is stepping into a new Vice Presidential role,effective today.  An employee of Kyocera since 2000, Hester has a B.Sc.degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University and hasachieved Lean Six Sigma “Black Belt” status.

HelioVolt has added two key executives to its Board of Directors,namely, E. Kenneth Pentimonti, Principal at Paladin Capital and RonaldD. Bernal (pictured), Partner at Sequel Venture Partners.  Both ofthese new Board members were recent contributors to HelioVolt’s recent$101 million fund.

The SMTA’s (Surface Mount Technology Association) Excellence inInternational Leadership Award has been conferred on Rick Short,Corporate Communications Director for Indium Corp.  Mr. Short’sachievements in and contributions to the solar industry were recognizedby the award, which is given out on an annual basis to deservingrecipients.

Oerlikon Solar’s sales efforts are to be led by Chris Smith, formerlyof Applied Materials, who has been named as head of Sales and CustomerSupport for the thin-film solar equipment manufacturer.  Smith brings20 years of management and sales experience to the role, 12 of whichwere spent with Applied Materials.

Barry Honig, a well-known venture capital investor and advisor, hasjoined the newly-established Octillion Advisory Board, announcedNicholas Cucinelli, President and CEO.  Mr. Honig, whose main areas ofexpertise are corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, hasassisted many companies in going public and with listings on NASDAQ