Huang Helps U.S. Solar Expand in China. March 13
It’s not every day that an American solar firm signals its intention to expand into China, but this week solar wafer manufacturer 1366 Technologies did just that when it announced that China expert and MIT Sloan School of Management Professor Yasheng Huang will join its board of directors.
Sinovel Chief Resigns. March 11
Han Junliang will step down as chairman of China-based Sinovel Wind Group, the world’s largest turbine maker, Bloomberg reported. The move is for personal reasons, although the change comes on news that Sinovel overstated its 2011 profits.
Nissan Taps New Head of Electric Vehicles. March 11
With continued sluggish sales of its Leaf electric car under Hideaki Watanabe, head of the company’s zero-emissions vehicle planning division, Nissan announced it is replacing Watanabe with Toshiyuki Shiga, the carmaker’s chief operating officer, the LA Times reported.
Kimberly-Clark Vet Tries Bamboo. March 7
Philip Rundle, who spent 16 years as an executive with Kimberly-Clark, will join the strategic advisory board of Green Innovations, a Miami-based company that sells bamboo-based commercial products, according to a company press release.
Longtime Venture Industry Leader Retires. March 7
After 22 years as president of the National Venture Capital Association, Mark Heesen announced he will retire. Heesen will leave the organization as soon as his replacement is found.
Feo Moves from Venture to Development. Feb. 25
Cleantech venture capitalist Ed Feo jumped ship at Seaward Road Capital to become COO at Coronal New Energy Fund, where he will oversee solar photovoltaic development efforts, according to a press release.
Leadership Institute Names New Director. Feb. 21
The Cleantech Fellows Institute, a nonprofit group that trains established business and government leaders for work in green technology industries, named Steven Berens as its new executive director. Berens co-founded Power Tagging, a smart grid company, and Privacy Networks, an email security firm.