Reported by Staff

THORNTON - Flexible thin-film PV module manufacturer Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) has hired Zane Rakes to serve as the Company’s Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. Mr. Rakes brings over 16 years of experience in high volume manufacturing systems, inventory management, manufacturing automation systems and global supply chain management.

Ascent Solar President and CEO Farhad Moghadam said in a statement, “Zane has a proven track record of leadership in establishing and scaling up high volume production facilities. Most recently Zane led the construction, installation, start up and production ramp up of two solar module factories with a total capacity of 474 megawatts while completing the project on time and on budget. Zane brings the experience, skills and contacts necessary to ramp up our production from Fab 2 and evaluate potential expansion possibilities going forward.”

The hiring of Rakes coincides with Robert “Bob” Johns arrival at Ascent to serve as its new Vice President of Sales. He will report directly to Rafael Gutierrez ,Ascent Solar’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Johns brings over 29 years of experience in global sales, customer service, channel partner development and business development. 

The changes in management come on the heels of the retirement announcement of the company’s senior vice president of production operations, Dr Prem Nath. Dr. Nath has led the company’s manufacturing efforts since 2006 and helped establish Ascent’s roll-to-roll commercial production capability. Ascent Solar President and CEO Farhad Moghadam said, ‘Dr Nath’s track record speaks for itself and he has laid a superb foundation for this company to continue to scale its manufacturing capability and capacity. We thank Dr Nath for his extraordinary service and innovative efforts while at Ascent Solar. Building on this foundation, the team at Ascent Solar will now pursue high volume commercial manufacturing, the next phase of growth for our company.’

Immediately prior to joining Ascent Solar, Mr. Rakes was Director of Operations for Concentrated Solar Power and Photovoltaics at SCHOTT Solar, Inc. Prior to SCHOTT Solar, Mr. Rakes worked at Intel Corporation for over 15 years holding various manufacturing positions. Most recently Mr. Rakes served as a plant manager for Intel’s Colorado Springs, Colo. operations. Mr. Rakes holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

“This is an exciting time and opportunity to become a part of the Ascent Solar team as it begins its expansion and ramp up of its high volume Fab 2 facility. Ascent Solar has a truly light weight flexible unique thin-film technology that can transform the way solar is used in many ways. I look forward to leading the manufacturing expansion and technological optimization going forward,” stated Mr. Rakes.

Ascent is in the process of ramping up production of its thin-film PV modules, which can be directly integrated into standard building materials, space applications, consumer electronics for portable power or configured as stand alone modules for large scale terrestrial deployment.