First Solar Appoints Jim Brown President, Global Business Development

First Solar, Inc. announced it will consolidate its worldwide sales and project development activities under Jim Brown, who has been appointed to the new role of president, global business development. The move combines First Solar’s Utility Systems Business Group and Components Business Group under a unified global structure encompassing sales, project development, product management and the customer service and technical services groups.

As a result of the reorganization, TK Kallenbach, president of the Components Business Group (CBG), will leave First Solar effective Jan. 1, 2012.

In addition, First Solar has reorganized the structure and roles in its finance and accounting groups to optimize efficiency. As a result, James Zhu, chief accounting officer, has elected to leave the company to pursue other opportunities. Mark Widmar, chief financial officer, will add the role of chief accounting officer to his responsibilities effective Feb. 1, 2012, and Zhu will remain with First Solar through May 1, 2012 to ensure a smooth transition.

“We thank TK and James for their dedication and for their commitment to helping us build sustainable global markets for solar electricity,” said Mike Ahearn, chairman and interim CEO of First Solar. “These changes support our broader effort to reposition First Solar to lead the industry through the current market turbulence, and to better serve our customers around the world with comprehensive solar energy solutions.”

“First Solar is uniquely positioned in the PV (photovoltaic) industry to have a deep and meaningful impact on the future of electricity generation, and it has been rewarding to be a part of that success,” said Kallenbach.

Brown joined First Solar in 2008 as vice president, project finance, and was appointed president of the Utility Systems business in August 2011. Prior to joining First Solar, Brown worked in banking for approximately 20 years, covering project and structured finance for the energy and industrial sectors.

Widmar joined First Solar as CFO in April 2011 from Graftech International Ltd., where he was CFO. Prior to joining Graftech in 2006, he held senior positions in finance and controlling at NCR, Dell and Lucent Technologies.

Kallenbach joined First Solar in December 2009 as executive vice president of marketing and product management and was appointed president of the Components Business Group in February 2011. Before joining First Solar, Kallenbach worked for Honeywell Aerospace for 30 years in variety of senior business, technical and strategy leadership positions.

Zhu joined First Solar in 2007 as vice president and corporate controller and has been chief accounting officer since 2009. Prior to joining, First Solar, Zhu was vice president and corporate controller at Salesforce.com.