Silver Spring Networks, which develops platforms for smart energy networks, appointed Michael Bell as CEO. Scott Lang will move to the role of executive chairman and will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Most recently, Bell held leadership roles in the technology groups dedicated to new devices, mobility and communications at Intel. Previously, Bell led product development at Palm.
Google added Kate Brandt as its sustainability chief. Brandt was the Obama administration's first federal chief sustainability officer. She joined Google in July.
Matt Golden is now CEO at Open Energy Efficiency, the developer of an open-source "open energy efficiency meter" and a data platform based on the DOE Standard Energy Efficiency Database. Golden founded Recurve, a home energy-efficiency startup.
Enbala Power Networks named Jeff MacAulay as COO. Most recently, he was COO of Endurance Wind Power. As GTM has reported, Enbala's software connects, aggregates and manages megawatts' worth of energy-using systems, such as industrial pumps, refrigerators, and other loads that can be curtailed or ramped up to meet grid needs, making it a contender in distributed energy resource management software. Earlier this year, the Vancouver, B.C.-based startup raised $11 million from GE Energy Ventures and Edison Energy.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) promoted Emily Shults from director of construction services to VP of electric and fuel procurement. She is responsible for "acquiring energy and capacity" including contracting for the utility to meet its renewable portfolio standard, as well as procurement of conventional resources. SDG&E serves 3.4 million consumers in its 4,100 square-mile utility area.
Jane Howell is now VP of global marketing at ABB Enterprise Software. She was previously director of marketing and Americas press officer at DNV GL.
8minutenergy Renewables, an independent U.S. solar developer, named Fred Vaske, previously director of structured finance for SunPower, as VP of project finance, and Mario Ricci, previously financial controller for Oracle, as VP of corporate finance. 8minutenergy develops, finances, engineers, constructs, owns, operates and maintains solar projects.
Saritha Peruri joined solar energy finance and investment firm Sol Systems as director of business development to lead project origination in Southern California, providing capital for commercial and small utility-scale projects. Prior to joining Sol Systems, Peruri spent several years developing and financing commercial solar energy systems for two Los Angeles-based solar companies, including PermaCity Solar.
Judy Ledford Staley, co-founder of REC Solar and a director at Synnove Energy, has taken a board seat at Horizon Solar Power.
GRID Alternatives and SunEdison recently weighed in on diversity and inclusion in solar.
Enertech Search: Are you prepared to compete during fall hiring season?
From our previous jobs column:
Danny Kennedy is leaving his post as Sungevity’s EVP to become the managing director of the California Clean Energy Fund. CalCEF started as an evergreen fund and has added a seed-stage fund and CalCharge, a battery breakthrough consortium. Kennedy co-founded Sungevity in 2007. Kennedy also co-founded SfunCube, an Oakland-based solar incubator and accelerator.
Glenn Garland has stepped down as CEO and chairman of the board of CLEAResult, the country's biggest efficiency program administrator. EVP and co-founder Jim Stimmel will serve as CLEAResult's interim CEO and chairman of the board.