Board member Ron Bernal has been appointed as interim chief executive officer and Sanjeev Kumar, the former CFO of Energy Conversion Devices has joined the company as chief financial officer; founder Dr. BJ Stanbery will serve as chief strategy officer and chairman of the board.

The board will conduct an international search for a permanent CEO to lead the company in its next phase of growth as a manufacturer of thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) products.

"As HelioVolt shifts into high gear as a US solar manufacturer, the complementary experience of HelioVolt's management team speaks volumes to the value we are building for our company, partners, and present and future investors," said Scott Sandell, HelioVolt board member and NEA general partner.

Added Dr. Stanbery, "As the company continues to expand, the added skills to our management team will support our aggressive plans to manufacture and commercialize thin-film PV modules and BIPV products for global markets."

Bernal, a HelioVolt board member since 2007 and partner at Sequel Ventures, will direct the company as it transitions from the development of its proprietary thin-film solar manufacturing process to full-scale commercial production. Bernal has previously served as a venture partner at Sutter Hill Ventures and as vice president of operations for the product technology groups at Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO - News).

Kumar will lead HelioVolt's overall financial growth while providing further organizational and strategic support to the company. Kumar commented, "I am particularly excited by HelioVolt's proprietary thin film manufacturing technology that enables low-cost, robust solar solutions that can scale to meet the world's energy needs."

In Kumar's prior tenure as chief financial officer, ECD commercialized new technologies, reached profitability, completed a major capital raise, and delivered significant value to shareholders. Kumar also serves as a board member for Solar Integrated Technologies.

Kumar has over 15 years of experience in global energy markets and spent nine years with Occidental Petroleum Corporation in Los Angeles.

Dr. Stanbery, who founded the company in 2001, will continue to play a key role as the new CSO and chairman of the board. In 2007 HelioVolt closed a $101 million series B funding round with investments from the Masdar Clean Tech Fund, New Enterprise Associates, Paladin Capital Group and Sequel Ventures, among others.

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