Suntech (NYSE: STP) was the world's number-one solar manufacturer in 2010 and rode a subsidy-led boom to the top. Its suddenly super-wealthy founder and CEO, Dr. Zhengrong Shi, was hailed as an entrepreneurial beacon in China's manufacturing sector. Now, amidst a difficult debt situation and allegations of financial impropriety, Dr. Shi is stepping down as CEO and being replaced by David King, who has served as CFO of the firm. Dr. Shi will serve as Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer.
Fisker Automotive, the richly funded extended range electric vehicle maker, named Tony Posawatz as new CEO, replacing recently hired Tom LaSorda. Posawatz was formerly head of the Volt program at GM. Fisker also added Joseph Chao as Executive Vice President and CEO of China and Asia, and Alberto Gonzalez, formerly of Chrysler, as VP of Manufacturing.
The renewables sector continued to be a source of jobs from April to June, according to a survey from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). In five categories of green employment -- clean power generation; manufacturing of clean technologies; energy efficiency; public transportation (building and operating clean technologies); and biofuels -- some 70 companies, cities and organizations in 30 states announced projects that could eventually generate 37,409 jobs, according to E2.
Solon added Jared Schoch, formerly Managing Director at SunEdison, as VP and General Manager of its Power Plants business in the Americas.
SynapSense, a provider of energy-efficiency-focused data center infrastructure management (DCIM) solutions, named Ryan Benton as CFO. Prior to SynapSense, Benton served as CFO of SoloPower.
Smart Grid hiring trends Part 2: qualification requirements.
Trina Solar split its organization into four regions. The firm added Mark Mendenhall, formerly of SunEdison, as Regional President, Americas, and has dismissed its chief commercial officer, Mark Kingsley.
Dwight Badger, CEO of Advanced Equities, which describes itself as a VC Investment Bank, has left the firm, according to VentureWire. Keith Daubenspeck stays on as chairman. Both men were recently the subject of a Wells notice by the SEC in connection with a private offering reportedly involving Bloom Energy, the fuel cell project funded by Kleiner Perkins and NEA. Advanced Equities is also fund raising for Fisker Automotive, Serious Materials, SolFocus, et al.
LS9, a maker of sustainable chemicals, named Tjerk de Ruiter as its Board Chairman. LS9 is funded by Flagship Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Chevron Technology Ventures and BlackRock. Former Chairman Noubar Afeyan will remain a member of the Board.