James Hughes to Join First Solar as Chief Commercial Officer

First Solar, Inc. announced it 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.

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

Most recently, Hughes was CEO and cirector 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 and COO for Prisma Energy, which was formed out of former Enron interests in international electric and natural gas utilities.

Hughes earned 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.