The board of directors of Johnson Controls elected Alex Molinaroli, vice chairman, (pictured) to serve as the company’s next president and chief executive officer effective Oct. 1, at which time he will join the board of directors. Molinaroli was also elected chairman of Johnson Controls effective Jan. 1, 2014. Molinaroli succeeds current CEO Stephen Roell, who will remain chairman until his planned retirement on Dec. 31. Molinaroli joined Johnson Controls’ Building Efficiency business in 1983. During his 30 years with the company, he has held positions of increasing responsibility and was elected a corporate officer in 2004. Molinaroli was appointed vice chairman in January of this year. Prior to that promotion, he served as president of the Power Solutions business since 2007.
Green Energy Management (GEM) appointed John Tabacco as CEO and president to continue the development of the company’s energy management business. He succeeds Ronald Ulfers who will remain as chairman. Tabacco brings 20 years of New York City construction, building management and capital markets relationships to the company.
Empower Energies hired Dan Bove as vice president of operations and performance management and Mike Wright as vice president, marketing. Bove has served in executive positions at renewable energy companies that serve a global customer base, including BP Solar, SunEdison, and most recently, UR Solar Power, where he managed national solar installations sold through The Home Depot. Wright’s renewable energy experience includes BP Solar and SunEdison as well as consulting work for: Amonix, BIPV, The Institute of Energy Conversion at the University of Delaware, Integrated Solar Technology, Motech, SunWorks and Trinity Solar.
The Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hired Santiago Grijalva to lead its Power Systems Engineering Center. Grijalva comes to NREL most recently from the Georgia Institute of Technology where he held the position of Georgia Power Distinguished Professor and Strategic Energy Institute Associate Director for Electricity. As part of the Energy Systems Integration team at NREL, Grijalva will develop the strategic direction of the Power Systems Engineering Center, enhance technical capabilities and steward core competencies that advance electric power technologies.
Retired Hess manager Rory Nelson has been tapped by Gov. Jack Dalrymple to serve as western North Dakota’s energy impact coordinator. The governor says Nelson will work in the state’s oil and gas region to help meet the challenges that come with rapid development. Nelson worked for Hess for 30 years, holding engineering and management positions until he retired in November.
LED manufacturer Energy Saving Solutions USA added three new employees in the sales department. Allan Zinkofsky was named director of business development for the three-year-old company. Jeff Schneider and Joseph Rosen were also added to the Business Development department to support Zinkofsky’s efforts.
American Vanadium has engaged Robert Nault to develop energy storage and renewable microgrids for remote communities and First Nations in Canada and the United States. Nault served as Canada’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development from 1999 to 2003.
Eaton named Joao Vicente Faria to the dual role of vice president and general manager, Latin America, Electrical Sector and president, Latin America. Faria will report to Grant Gawronski, president, Electrical Industrial and Infrastructure Group, Electrical Sector – Americas. He will be responsible for the Power Distribution business in Latin America, which includes product development, operations strategy, quality performance and customer service. In his role as president, Latin America, Faria will report to Craig Arnold, vice chairman and chief operating officer, Industrial Sector. Since joining Eaton in 1987 as a materials engineer for the truck facility in Valinhos, Brazil, Faria has held a number of leadership roles including president of the Automotive Group in Europe and, most recently, president, Americas, Hydraulics Group.