Executive Changes At SEIA

• SEIA has brought back John Smirnow to lead as general counsel and vice president of market strategy
• He was previously with SEIA as vice president of international trade
• Tony Chen is also joining the organization as vice president of business development
• Recently, SEIA bid adieu to its two executives, Tom Kimbis and Christopher Mansour

US solar sector body Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has announced two appointments to its team. John Smirnow, who previously worked with SEIA as vice president of international trade, is coming back to the organization as general counsel and vice president of market strategy.

A veteran in solar development and policy, Smirnow was the first general secretary of the Global Solar Council on behalf of 17 national and regional solar associations. Afterwards, he has been providing legal services to solar companies globally on trade and market development.

SEIA has also created a new profile for Tony Chen who will serve as vice president of business development. He has previously worked with Cool Earth Solar and SolarCity. These 'ideally suited' appointments will help the association 'match the solar industry's skyrocketing growth in the years ahead', emphasized SEIA.

"The SEIA Board of Directors has set as priorities aggressive solar deployment with the support of a trade association capable of leading that growth," said SEIA President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. "I couldn't be more excited for Tony and John to join my leadership circle and bring their considerable experience to bear on our ambitious vision."

Recently, SEIA let go two of its executives. Tom Kimbis, who served as the executive vice president and general counsel and interim CEO, in the period after long-time CEO Rhone Resch resigned and Abigail Ross Hopper was hired to lead SEIA (see New CEO For SEIA). Another departure was that of Christopher Mansour who was SEIA's vice president of federal affairs.