SmartSpark Energy Systems has added two fresh faces to its executive management team and reassigned a familiar one to new duties. The solar power electronics company has named Noel Foley as VP of engineering and Joseph Scarci as VP of marketing, while Frederick Krein, former president/CEO, will continue in the newly created role of VP of finance and administration.
Effective as of 14 November 2008, Ravi Khanna (pictured), the Chief Executive of Moser Baer Photovoltaic, left the company to join Norway-based Scatec Solar. He had been with Moser for the past 18 months looking after acquisitions of technology firms and setting up a technology centre for emerging and disruptive technologies. Before Moser Baer he was with the Delphi Corporation serving in various positions including Country Manager for India and Thailand.
On 29 November 2008, Professor Dr. Adolf Goetzberger, the founder of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, ISE turned 80 years old. In 1976, Goetzberger was well-known semiconductor expert and head of a research institute with 180 employees, but in 1981, he decided to head out on his own and start the Fraunhofer ISE with only 18 employees. Today the ISE has grown to employee more than 800 people for the advancement of solar energy.
SEMI has named a long-time employee as its new president of SEMI North America, appointing Jonathan Davis to succeed Victoria Hadfield, effective Jan. 1, 2009. Davis will assume responsibility for the group's North American programs, products, and services and will be responsible for relationships with SEMI members as well as industry, government, and academia in the region. Hadfield moves on to pursue personal interests but will remain with the trade association in an advisory role.
SolarReserve named Alistair Jessop as Vice President to oversee its European and other international markets. He will be developing solar power projects in the regions by utilizing SolarReserve’s technology.
Sunways AG has announced that Roland Burkhardt (pictured), CEO and founder of the company, will pass his position of CEO and Sunways strategic and operational management to CFO Michael Wilhelm, effective 1 January 2009. Wilhelm will oversee the finance and strategy areas in his new position, while Burkhardt will take over the technology and R&D division.
Shuichi Fujii has been designated by Dow Corning as Global Major Market Leader for Feedstock and Active Device Products in its Solar Market Business Unit. He will also be the Solar Market Business Unit leader for Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd., which is a joint venture between Dow Corning and Toray Industries.
Oerlikon Solar recently chose Robert Gattereder for the newly created position of Senior VP New Business where he will be expanding the business opportunities for the company. He brings over 15 years of operational experience with global industrial companies and has held senior management positions in finance, procurement, marketing and business development in the solar industry and industrial infrastructure.
Nabeel Gareeb, President and Chief Executive Officer of MEMC resigned his executive position and seat on the Board of the major polysilicon supplier to the semiconductor and photovoltaics industries. Gareeb will assist in a transition through the end of 2008, while Board member Marshall Turner will serve as interim CEO, effective November 12, 2008. The search for a permanent replacement for Gareeb will be conducted during this period.
Sixtron has recently announced the selection of Bates M. Marshall as Vice President for Sales and Marketing, beginning immediately. Marshall carries with him near 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the semiconductor, solar, flat panel display and related markets.
