14 March 2012

First Solar creates chief commercial officer to speed entry into emerging markets

First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe), has hired James Hughes as chief commercial officer.

In this newly created role designed to accelerate First Solar’s entry into emerging markets, Hughes will have comprehensive leadership responsibility for global business development and sales; project development; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC); product management; and international public affairs and communications.

Reporting to Hughes will be Jim Brown, executive VP of global business development; Maja Wessels, executive VP of global public affairs; Jim Lamon, senior VP of EPC and operations & maintenance; Tom Kuster, VP of product management & customer service; and Ted Meyer, VP of global corporate communications.

“Jim is extraordinarily prepared to help First Solar open new markets and reach revenue goals,” believes chairman & interim CEO Mike Ahearn. “We will benefit greatly from his diverse and extensive global and operational experience in the energy sector.”  

Most recently, Hughes was CEO & director of AEI, which owned and operated power distribution, power generation, natural gas transportation and services, and natural gas distribution businesses in emerging markets worldwide. Previously, he was president & chief operating officer for Prisma Energy, which was formed out of former Enron interests in international electric and natural gas utilities.

Hughes has a juris doctor from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, a Certificate of Completion in international business law from Queen Mary's College, University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University.

First Solar designs and builds complete PV power plants for customers around the world — including the two largest PV projects in the world (currently under construction) — and is the world’s largest manufacturer of thin-film solar modules.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

Visit: www.firstsolar.com