TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 3, 2009--
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) today announced that Robert J. Gillette
has been appointed chief executive officer, succeeding Mike Ahearn.
Mr. Gillette brings a wealth of experience to this position, having
spent the last four and a half years as the CEO and president of
Honeywell Aerospace, Honeywell International’s most profitable business
group with current sales of more than $12 billion annually. In this
role, he led more than 40,000 associates at nearly 100 worldwide
manufacturing and service sites.
In welcoming Mr. Gillette to First Solar, Mr. Ahearn said, “I compliment
the Board of Directors and the search committee for identifying and
bringing to First Solar an executive possessing a unique combination of
skills and experiences that make him an ideal leader for First Solar in
the next wave of our growth.”
Mr. Gillette joined Honeywell in 1996 and has served in a number of
senior management positions, including president and CEO of Honeywell
Transportation Systems and president of Honeywell Turbo Technologies.
Prior to joining Honeywell, Mr. Gillette spent over 10 years at General
Electric where he served in numerous senior management positions.
“Rob has a track record of fostering innovation and bringing new
technologies and products to market. He has built organizational
capability to enable businesses to scale in complex and geographically
diverse markets and he has worked extensively in global markets,
including Europe, Asia and South America,” said Mr. Ahearn. “He has
demonstrated a leadership style that meshes well with our core values
and will enable him to form strong working relationships with our
management team.”
“This is a unique opportunity to join a leader in what promises to be
one of the most important industries of the 21st century,”
said Mr. Gillette. “I am excited to lead First Solar through the next
phase of its growth.”
Mr. Gillette will assume his duties as CEO and join the Board of
Directors effective October 1, 2009. As previously announced, Mr. Ahearn
will continue to serve in the full-time position of executive chairman.
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) is changing the way the world is powered
by creating truly sustainable solar energy solutions. First Solar
manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and
provides comprehensive PV system solutions. By constantly decreasing
manufacturing costs, First Solar is creating an affordable and
environmentally responsible alternative to fossil-fuel generation. First
Solar modules are most effective when demand for traditional forms of
energy is at its peak. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally
responsible product life cycle management by introducing the industry's
first comprehensive, pre-funded collection and recycling program for
solar modules. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection
and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective
renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment. For
more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com,
or www.firstsolar.com/media to
download photos.
For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not
constitute guarantees of future performance. Those statements involve a
number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including risks associated with the company's business involving the
company's products, their development and distribution, economic and
competitive factors and the company's key strategic relationships and
other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. First Solar assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking information contained in this press release or with
respect to the announcements described herein.
Source: First Solar, Inc.
First Solar, Inc.
United States
Lisa Morse
+1-602-414-9361
media@firstsolar.com
Europe
Brandon
Mitchener
+49-6131-1443-399
media@firstsolar.com