ARISE Technologies Corp. (Kitchener, Ontario Canada) announced that Bruce West has been appointed to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. West will also become the company's interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. Kurt Werth, who has been the company's part-time interim CFO, will join the ARISE Advisory Council and will continue to provide consulting services in the US. Ian MacLellan will assume the new role of Vice Chairman and will continue as Chief Executive Officer. MacLellan will focus on key strategic initiatives relating to the marketing of the company's photovoltaic (PV) cell technology and developing additional strategic opportunities for ARISE.
Additionally, Chris Waters, who is Manager of Corporate Development, will become Vice President of Photovoltaics Technology Business Development, taking a lead role in developing partnerships with strategic customers for the company's PV technologies. David Elzinga has been promoted to General Manager, Systems Division. Elzinga is an eight-year veteran with ARISE, and has become a leading Canadian solar expert with a number of successful systems designed and installed. Daryl Wilson has agreed to join the ARISE Advisory Council. Wilson is a consultant with a focus on sustainable issues.
MacLellan stated, "We are very pleased with the changes and additions that we have made to the organization. This will allow ARISE to build on the foundation that we have constructed over the last 10 years. Bruce brings tremendous financial and operations experience that will be required as we push to become a profitable company. His joining has also provided an objective confirmation of the excellent prospects of our new strategy that we have developed over the last year in response to fundamental changes in the market. Kurt provided great leadership, wisdom and assistance as we navigated through our most challenging time in late 2004 and early 2005, and we truly appreciate his assistance. We are also very excited about the added responsibility that Chris and Dave have taken on. Daryl Wilson will bring additional expertise and wisdom to the company as we develop our silicon feedstock plan."
